2 Chronicles 21 & 22: God’s Promises
Verse of the Day: (21:7) Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

1. Promises (21:1-11)
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. (21:6)

Jehoram succeeded his father, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and he did that which was evil in God’s sight, just like all the wicked kings of Israel, as he killed all his brothers whom he believed were threat to his throne. However, God had earlier promised Abraham that He shall preserve his descendants as they shall be the line of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 12:1-3) Indeed, let us trust God’s promises as they are sure, and His greatest promise is that we shall have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, when we believe in Jesus. (2 Peter 1:1-4)

2. Plague (21:12-20)
Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: (21:14)

God punished Jehoram for leading Judah into sins by inflicting him with a deadly disease and sending a great plague that destroyed many of his people and their possessions, which He had earlier prophesied through Prophet Elijah. God also moved his enemies, the Philistines and the Arabians, to destroy Judah including Jehoram’s family, allowing only Jehoahaz, his youngest son, as the sole survivor, in order to preserve the line of Jesus. Indeed, God shall execute His judgment upon the ungodly for their sins. (Jude 1-25)

3. Priest (22:1-12)
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. (22:11)

Ahaziah or Jehoahaz succeeded his father, King Jehoram, however, his reign was short, as Jehu killed both him and King Jehoram of Israel when Ahaziah made alliance with Jehoram. Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, then became the ruler of Judah, and she ruthlessly killed all her grandsons to protect her throne. Again, God protected the line of Jesus when He moved Jehoshabeath, the wife of Priest Jehoiada, to hide Joash, the only son of Ahaziah, her brother, from being killed by Queen Athaliah. Indeed, God shall protect His people and priests as we call upon Him as our Saviour and High Priest. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your promises are sure and steadfast as I trust in You.