2 Chronicles 35 & 36: The Passover
Verse of the Day: (35:18) And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

1. The Passover (35:1-19)
Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. (35:1)

King Josiah was the last good king of Judah as he kept the Passover in remembrance of God’s deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians. The Passover was never kept by all the previous kings of Israel and Judah since it was last observed in the days of Prophet Samuel. Josiah encouraged all the priests and the people in their service to God, as he put in place the Holy Ark in God’s splendid house. He generously offered 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bullocks as offerings, and as an example of his love for God. His princes followed his example and gave generous offerings to God. Indeed, let us lead by example as Jesus is our best example who loved and gave Himself for His people. (1 Peter 2:21-25)
 
2. The Preparation (34:20-27)
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. (35:20)

Preparation and planning are very vital in the success of our lives and ministry, however they will be in vain if God is not in them. This was what happened to Josiah as he prepared his reign, but disobeyed God when he led Judah to fight with King Necho of Egypt. Tragically he died in the battle that he should never have fought in the first place. Let us remember that without God, all our plans and preparation are in vain. (Psalms 127)

3. Prophet (36:1-23)
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. (36:12)

Jehoahaz succeeded his father, Josiah, and he was an evil king. The king of Egypt was in control of Judah at that time, and after 3 months, he replaced Jehoahaz with Jehoiakim, his brother, as the next “puppet” king. Soon King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah, and Jehoiakim was taken as prisoner to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar then replaced Jehoiakim with Jehoiachin, his son. Within 3 months and 10 days, he was replaced by Zedekiah, his brother. The last king, Zedekiah, again refused to obey God’s Word through His prophet Jeremiah, and thus God’s judgment was upon Judah, until He sent King Cyrus of Persia to free them from the Babylonians so that they could return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city. Indeed, God never forsakes His people. (Hebrews 13:5)      

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to keep Your Passover in my heart by loving You.