Ezra 6

Ezra 6:1

Military and Agricultural Prosperity

The LORD blesses him further with victories and prosperity. He has military and agricultural blessing. First there is military blessing. Uzziah’s first acts of war are directed against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6). These enemies are closest to him. They live in the border area and are a constant threat. They are a picture of the nominal Christians, people who are also a great threat to the true Christians, because they are so close to the true Christians in their confession, while their hearts are far from the truth.

Uzziah breaks down the walls of some cities of the Philistines. In the spiritual sense, it suggests that the arguments that nominal Christians use for their erroneous teachings and wrong practices are unmasked and rejected by God’s Word. We can think of the foolish reasoning that God is love and that ‘therefore’ all love is from God. This is without shame applied to, for example, a homosexual relationship. But God’s Word condemns such a relationship. Uzziah is helped by God (2 Chronicles 26:7). We can also count on His help when we resist the enemies of God and His Word. Such action command respect (2 Chronicles 26:8).

After dealing with the threats from outside Uzziah focuses on his land. He also starts there with buildings to protect God’s center of worship. Hostile powers are particularly concerned with this. Therefore Uzziah builds some towers in Jerusalem and fortifies them (2 Chronicles 26:9). Towers are lookout points to signal possible danger from afar, so that precautions can be taken. We can compare these towers to the warnings in the New Testament where we are told to look out for or heed people with wrong teachings and practices (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16).

Uzziah is not only active in the city and for God’s sanctuary, but also in the wilderness (2 Chronicles 26:10a). Our lives do not only take place in the sanctuary, but also in the world. Towers are also needed in the wilderness, which means that vigilance is required in our daily lives (1 Peter 5:8). Furthermore, Uzziah hews many cisterns in the wilderness to water the much livestock he has. We also need the refreshment from God’s Word to keep our service to the Lord in offering sacrifices – to which livestock, among other things, serve – fresh. That takes effort, we have to ‘hew’ or dig for it in the Word of God.

The life of Uzziah not only consists of defending and surviving in the wilderness, but his heart also goes out to the hill country and the fertile fields (2 Chronicles 26:10b). His heart goes out to the same as where God’s heart goes out to (Deuteronomy 11:12). He loves God, he loves the land and he loves the people. Uzziah is a king-farmer with farmers and vinedressers he employs on the mountains and in the fertile fields. It is his concern to harvest the rich fruit of the land as a sacrifice to God (Deuteronomy 26:6-11) and as food for the people (Ecclesiastes 5:8).

In this way the Lord also wants to use us as farmers and vinedressers. This happens when we occupy ourselves with His Word in order to gather from it the rich fruit for which we want to worship Him and share it with His own. This works food and joy.

Then the chronicler returns to Uzziah’s army (2 Chronicles 26:11). Thereby the reference to Uzziah’s love of agriculture is enclosed by two communications about his military strength. It tells us that we can only enjoy the riches of the land, the fruits it produces – these are for us the blessings of the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) – if we are capable fighters for the truth. We must be strong “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) and “as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3) fight the battle.

In battle, “the total number of the heads of the households” (2 Chronicles 26:12) is needed, no one may be missing, no one may evade it. These are those who occupy a responsible place in God’s people. They are themselves valiant warriors and have command over “an elite army …, who could wage war with great power” (2 Chronicles 26:13). It is also important in the spiritual struggle we are facing that there are good examples and good followers. The entire army must “help the king against the enemy”. Thus the Lord Jesus uses the believers to resist the enemy in his attempts to attack the church and deprive it of its blessings.

Uzziah has prepared for all the army – it says emphatically “all the army” – with all possible weapons to defend and attack (2 Chronicles 26:14). The weapons made available to us by the Lord Jesus are not carnal, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Uzziah pays special attention to Jerusalem in order to strengthen the city with engines of war (2 Chronicles 26:15a). Jerusalem is the center of worship and therefore the great target of enemy attacks. Uzziah realizes that and for that reason makes a fortress of the city. A place of worship is therefore also a protected and therefore safe place.

The tools of war are “invented by skillful men”. It requires a special ability to devise a spiritual defense system for attacks on the center of Christian life, the worship of the Father. This defense system is found in the Word of God. If we arm ourselves with God’s Word, we will see the attacks coming and we will also know how to repel them. Every believer must know his own weaknesses and be particularly vigilant there.

All the activities of Uzziah that we have seen before, give him a fame that is widely known. He owes this not to himself and his efforts, but to the LORD Who “marvelously helped” him. That has brought him to a height of fame and power. The last words of 2 Chronicles 26:15b, introduced with the word “until”, are a turning point and herald a dramatic change.

Ezra 6:2

Military and Agricultural Prosperity

The LORD blesses him further with victories and prosperity. He has military and agricultural blessing. First there is military blessing. Uzziah’s first acts of war are directed against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6). These enemies are closest to him. They live in the border area and are a constant threat. They are a picture of the nominal Christians, people who are also a great threat to the true Christians, because they are so close to the true Christians in their confession, while their hearts are far from the truth.

Uzziah breaks down the walls of some cities of the Philistines. In the spiritual sense, it suggests that the arguments that nominal Christians use for their erroneous teachings and wrong practices are unmasked and rejected by God’s Word. We can think of the foolish reasoning that God is love and that ‘therefore’ all love is from God. This is without shame applied to, for example, a homosexual relationship. But God’s Word condemns such a relationship. Uzziah is helped by God (2 Chronicles 26:7). We can also count on His help when we resist the enemies of God and His Word. Such action command respect (2 Chronicles 26:8).

After dealing with the threats from outside Uzziah focuses on his land. He also starts there with buildings to protect God’s center of worship. Hostile powers are particularly concerned with this. Therefore Uzziah builds some towers in Jerusalem and fortifies them (2 Chronicles 26:9). Towers are lookout points to signal possible danger from afar, so that precautions can be taken. We can compare these towers to the warnings in the New Testament where we are told to look out for or heed people with wrong teachings and practices (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16).

Uzziah is not only active in the city and for God’s sanctuary, but also in the wilderness (2 Chronicles 26:10a). Our lives do not only take place in the sanctuary, but also in the world. Towers are also needed in the wilderness, which means that vigilance is required in our daily lives (1 Peter 5:8). Furthermore, Uzziah hews many cisterns in the wilderness to water the much livestock he has. We also need the refreshment from God’s Word to keep our service to the Lord in offering sacrifices – to which livestock, among other things, serve – fresh. That takes effort, we have to ‘hew’ or dig for it in the Word of God.

The life of Uzziah not only consists of defending and surviving in the wilderness, but his heart also goes out to the hill country and the fertile fields (2 Chronicles 26:10b). His heart goes out to the same as where God’s heart goes out to (Deuteronomy 11:12). He loves God, he loves the land and he loves the people. Uzziah is a king-farmer with farmers and vinedressers he employs on the mountains and in the fertile fields. It is his concern to harvest the rich fruit of the land as a sacrifice to God (Deuteronomy 26:6-11) and as food for the people (Ecclesiastes 5:8).

In this way the Lord also wants to use us as farmers and vinedressers. This happens when we occupy ourselves with His Word in order to gather from it the rich fruit for which we want to worship Him and share it with His own. This works food and joy.

Then the chronicler returns to Uzziah’s army (2 Chronicles 26:11). Thereby the reference to Uzziah’s love of agriculture is enclosed by two communications about his military strength. It tells us that we can only enjoy the riches of the land, the fruits it produces – these are for us the blessings of the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) – if we are capable fighters for the truth. We must be strong “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) and “as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3) fight the battle.

In battle, “the total number of the heads of the households” (2 Chronicles 26:12) is needed, no one may be missing, no one may evade it. These are those who occupy a responsible place in God’s people. They are themselves valiant warriors and have command over “an elite army …, who could wage war with great power” (2 Chronicles 26:13). It is also important in the spiritual struggle we are facing that there are good examples and good followers. The entire army must “help the king against the enemy”. Thus the Lord Jesus uses the believers to resist the enemy in his attempts to attack the church and deprive it of its blessings.

Uzziah has prepared for all the army – it says emphatically “all the army” – with all possible weapons to defend and attack (2 Chronicles 26:14). The weapons made available to us by the Lord Jesus are not carnal, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Uzziah pays special attention to Jerusalem in order to strengthen the city with engines of war (2 Chronicles 26:15a). Jerusalem is the center of worship and therefore the great target of enemy attacks. Uzziah realizes that and for that reason makes a fortress of the city. A place of worship is therefore also a protected and therefore safe place.

The tools of war are “invented by skillful men”. It requires a special ability to devise a spiritual defense system for attacks on the center of Christian life, the worship of the Father. This defense system is found in the Word of God. If we arm ourselves with God’s Word, we will see the attacks coming and we will also know how to repel them. Every believer must know his own weaknesses and be particularly vigilant there.

All the activities of Uzziah that we have seen before, give him a fame that is widely known. He owes this not to himself and his efforts, but to the LORD Who “marvelously helped” him. That has brought him to a height of fame and power. The last words of 2 Chronicles 26:15b, introduced with the word “until”, are a turning point and herald a dramatic change.

Ezra 6:3

Military and Agricultural Prosperity

The LORD blesses him further with victories and prosperity. He has military and agricultural blessing. First there is military blessing. Uzziah’s first acts of war are directed against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6). These enemies are closest to him. They live in the border area and are a constant threat. They are a picture of the nominal Christians, people who are also a great threat to the true Christians, because they are so close to the true Christians in their confession, while their hearts are far from the truth.

Uzziah breaks down the walls of some cities of the Philistines. In the spiritual sense, it suggests that the arguments that nominal Christians use for their erroneous teachings and wrong practices are unmasked and rejected by God’s Word. We can think of the foolish reasoning that God is love and that ‘therefore’ all love is from God. This is without shame applied to, for example, a homosexual relationship. But God’s Word condemns such a relationship. Uzziah is helped by God (2 Chronicles 26:7). We can also count on His help when we resist the enemies of God and His Word. Such action command respect (2 Chronicles 26:8).

After dealing with the threats from outside Uzziah focuses on his land. He also starts there with buildings to protect God’s center of worship. Hostile powers are particularly concerned with this. Therefore Uzziah builds some towers in Jerusalem and fortifies them (2 Chronicles 26:9). Towers are lookout points to signal possible danger from afar, so that precautions can be taken. We can compare these towers to the warnings in the New Testament where we are told to look out for or heed people with wrong teachings and practices (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16).

Uzziah is not only active in the city and for God’s sanctuary, but also in the wilderness (2 Chronicles 26:10a). Our lives do not only take place in the sanctuary, but also in the world. Towers are also needed in the wilderness, which means that vigilance is required in our daily lives (1 Peter 5:8). Furthermore, Uzziah hews many cisterns in the wilderness to water the much livestock he has. We also need the refreshment from God’s Word to keep our service to the Lord in offering sacrifices – to which livestock, among other things, serve – fresh. That takes effort, we have to ‘hew’ or dig for it in the Word of God.

The life of Uzziah not only consists of defending and surviving in the wilderness, but his heart also goes out to the hill country and the fertile fields (2 Chronicles 26:10b). His heart goes out to the same as where God’s heart goes out to (Deuteronomy 11:12). He loves God, he loves the land and he loves the people. Uzziah is a king-farmer with farmers and vinedressers he employs on the mountains and in the fertile fields. It is his concern to harvest the rich fruit of the land as a sacrifice to God (Deuteronomy 26:6-11) and as food for the people (Ecclesiastes 5:8).

In this way the Lord also wants to use us as farmers and vinedressers. This happens when we occupy ourselves with His Word in order to gather from it the rich fruit for which we want to worship Him and share it with His own. This works food and joy.

Then the chronicler returns to Uzziah’s army (2 Chronicles 26:11). Thereby the reference to Uzziah’s love of agriculture is enclosed by two communications about his military strength. It tells us that we can only enjoy the riches of the land, the fruits it produces – these are for us the blessings of the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) – if we are capable fighters for the truth. We must be strong “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) and “as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3) fight the battle.

In battle, “the total number of the heads of the households” (2 Chronicles 26:12) is needed, no one may be missing, no one may evade it. These are those who occupy a responsible place in God’s people. They are themselves valiant warriors and have command over “an elite army …, who could wage war with great power” (2 Chronicles 26:13). It is also important in the spiritual struggle we are facing that there are good examples and good followers. The entire army must “help the king against the enemy”. Thus the Lord Jesus uses the believers to resist the enemy in his attempts to attack the church and deprive it of its blessings.

Uzziah has prepared for all the army – it says emphatically “all the army” – with all possible weapons to defend and attack (2 Chronicles 26:14). The weapons made available to us by the Lord Jesus are not carnal, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Uzziah pays special attention to Jerusalem in order to strengthen the city with engines of war (2 Chronicles 26:15a). Jerusalem is the center of worship and therefore the great target of enemy attacks. Uzziah realizes that and for that reason makes a fortress of the city. A place of worship is therefore also a protected and therefore safe place.

The tools of war are “invented by skillful men”. It requires a special ability to devise a spiritual defense system for attacks on the center of Christian life, the worship of the Father. This defense system is found in the Word of God. If we arm ourselves with God’s Word, we will see the attacks coming and we will also know how to repel them. Every believer must know his own weaknesses and be particularly vigilant there.

All the activities of Uzziah that we have seen before, give him a fame that is widely known. He owes this not to himself and his efforts, but to the LORD Who “marvelously helped” him. That has brought him to a height of fame and power. The last words of 2 Chronicles 26:15b, introduced with the word “until”, are a turning point and herald a dramatic change.

Ezra 6:4

Military and Agricultural Prosperity

The LORD blesses him further with victories and prosperity. He has military and agricultural blessing. First there is military blessing. Uzziah’s first acts of war are directed against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6). These enemies are closest to him. They live in the border area and are a constant threat. They are a picture of the nominal Christians, people who are also a great threat to the true Christians, because they are so close to the true Christians in their confession, while their hearts are far from the truth.

Uzziah breaks down the walls of some cities of the Philistines. In the spiritual sense, it suggests that the arguments that nominal Christians use for their erroneous teachings and wrong practices are unmasked and rejected by God’s Word. We can think of the foolish reasoning that God is love and that ‘therefore’ all love is from God. This is without shame applied to, for example, a homosexual relationship. But God’s Word condemns such a relationship. Uzziah is helped by God (2 Chronicles 26:7). We can also count on His help when we resist the enemies of God and His Word. Such action command respect (2 Chronicles 26:8).

After dealing with the threats from outside Uzziah focuses on his land. He also starts there with buildings to protect God’s center of worship. Hostile powers are particularly concerned with this. Therefore Uzziah builds some towers in Jerusalem and fortifies them (2 Chronicles 26:9). Towers are lookout points to signal possible danger from afar, so that precautions can be taken. We can compare these towers to the warnings in the New Testament where we are told to look out for or heed people with wrong teachings and practices (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16).

Uzziah is not only active in the city and for God’s sanctuary, but also in the wilderness (2 Chronicles 26:10a). Our lives do not only take place in the sanctuary, but also in the world. Towers are also needed in the wilderness, which means that vigilance is required in our daily lives (1 Peter 5:8). Furthermore, Uzziah hews many cisterns in the wilderness to water the much livestock he has. We also need the refreshment from God’s Word to keep our service to the Lord in offering sacrifices – to which livestock, among other things, serve – fresh. That takes effort, we have to ‘hew’ or dig for it in the Word of God.

The life of Uzziah not only consists of defending and surviving in the wilderness, but his heart also goes out to the hill country and the fertile fields (2 Chronicles 26:10b). His heart goes out to the same as where God’s heart goes out to (Deuteronomy 11:12). He loves God, he loves the land and he loves the people. Uzziah is a king-farmer with farmers and vinedressers he employs on the mountains and in the fertile fields. It is his concern to harvest the rich fruit of the land as a sacrifice to God (Deuteronomy 26:6-11) and as food for the people (Ecclesiastes 5:8).

In this way the Lord also wants to use us as farmers and vinedressers. This happens when we occupy ourselves with His Word in order to gather from it the rich fruit for which we want to worship Him and share it with His own. This works food and joy.

Then the chronicler returns to Uzziah’s army (2 Chronicles 26:11). Thereby the reference to Uzziah’s love of agriculture is enclosed by two communications about his military strength. It tells us that we can only enjoy the riches of the land, the fruits it produces – these are for us the blessings of the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) – if we are capable fighters for the truth. We must be strong “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) and “as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3) fight the battle.

In battle, “the total number of the heads of the households” (2 Chronicles 26:12) is needed, no one may be missing, no one may evade it. These are those who occupy a responsible place in God’s people. They are themselves valiant warriors and have command over “an elite army …, who could wage war with great power” (2 Chronicles 26:13). It is also important in the spiritual struggle we are facing that there are good examples and good followers. The entire army must “help the king against the enemy”. Thus the Lord Jesus uses the believers to resist the enemy in his attempts to attack the church and deprive it of its blessings.

Uzziah has prepared for all the army – it says emphatically “all the army” – with all possible weapons to defend and attack (2 Chronicles 26:14). The weapons made available to us by the Lord Jesus are not carnal, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Uzziah pays special attention to Jerusalem in order to strengthen the city with engines of war (2 Chronicles 26:15a). Jerusalem is the center of worship and therefore the great target of enemy attacks. Uzziah realizes that and for that reason makes a fortress of the city. A place of worship is therefore also a protected and therefore safe place.

The tools of war are “invented by skillful men”. It requires a special ability to devise a spiritual defense system for attacks on the center of Christian life, the worship of the Father. This defense system is found in the Word of God. If we arm ourselves with God’s Word, we will see the attacks coming and we will also know how to repel them. Every believer must know his own weaknesses and be particularly vigilant there.

All the activities of Uzziah that we have seen before, give him a fame that is widely known. He owes this not to himself and his efforts, but to the LORD Who “marvelously helped” him. That has brought him to a height of fame and power. The last words of 2 Chronicles 26:15b, introduced with the word “until”, are a turning point and herald a dramatic change.

Ezra 6:5

Military and Agricultural Prosperity

The LORD blesses him further with victories and prosperity. He has military and agricultural blessing. First there is military blessing. Uzziah’s first acts of war are directed against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6). These enemies are closest to him. They live in the border area and are a constant threat. They are a picture of the nominal Christians, people who are also a great threat to the true Christians, because they are so close to the true Christians in their confession, while their hearts are far from the truth.

Uzziah breaks down the walls of some cities of the Philistines. In the spiritual sense, it suggests that the arguments that nominal Christians use for their erroneous teachings and wrong practices are unmasked and rejected by God’s Word. We can think of the foolish reasoning that God is love and that ‘therefore’ all love is from God. This is without shame applied to, for example, a homosexual relationship. But God’s Word condemns such a relationship. Uzziah is helped by God (2 Chronicles 26:7). We can also count on His help when we resist the enemies of God and His Word. Such action command respect (2 Chronicles 26:8).

After dealing with the threats from outside Uzziah focuses on his land. He also starts there with buildings to protect God’s center of worship. Hostile powers are particularly concerned with this. Therefore Uzziah builds some towers in Jerusalem and fortifies them (2 Chronicles 26:9). Towers are lookout points to signal possible danger from afar, so that precautions can be taken. We can compare these towers to the warnings in the New Testament where we are told to look out for or heed people with wrong teachings and practices (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16).

Uzziah is not only active in the city and for God’s sanctuary, but also in the wilderness (2 Chronicles 26:10a). Our lives do not only take place in the sanctuary, but also in the world. Towers are also needed in the wilderness, which means that vigilance is required in our daily lives (1 Peter 5:8). Furthermore, Uzziah hews many cisterns in the wilderness to water the much livestock he has. We also need the refreshment from God’s Word to keep our service to the Lord in offering sacrifices – to which livestock, among other things, serve – fresh. That takes effort, we have to ‘hew’ or dig for it in the Word of God.

The life of Uzziah not only consists of defending and surviving in the wilderness, but his heart also goes out to the hill country and the fertile fields (2 Chronicles 26:10b). His heart goes out to the same as where God’s heart goes out to (Deuteronomy 11:12). He loves God, he loves the land and he loves the people. Uzziah is a king-farmer with farmers and vinedressers he employs on the mountains and in the fertile fields. It is his concern to harvest the rich fruit of the land as a sacrifice to God (Deuteronomy 26:6-11) and as food for the people (Ecclesiastes 5:8).

In this way the Lord also wants to use us as farmers and vinedressers. This happens when we occupy ourselves with His Word in order to gather from it the rich fruit for which we want to worship Him and share it with His own. This works food and joy.

Then the chronicler returns to Uzziah’s army (2 Chronicles 26:11). Thereby the reference to Uzziah’s love of agriculture is enclosed by two communications about his military strength. It tells us that we can only enjoy the riches of the land, the fruits it produces – these are for us the blessings of the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) – if we are capable fighters for the truth. We must be strong “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) and “as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3) fight the battle.

In battle, “the total number of the heads of the households” (2 Chronicles 26:12) is needed, no one may be missing, no one may evade it. These are those who occupy a responsible place in God’s people. They are themselves valiant warriors and have command over “an elite army …, who could wage war with great power” (2 Chronicles 26:13). It is also important in the spiritual struggle we are facing that there are good examples and good followers. The entire army must “help the king against the enemy”. Thus the Lord Jesus uses the believers to resist the enemy in his attempts to attack the church and deprive it of its blessings.

Uzziah has prepared for all the army – it says emphatically “all the army” – with all possible weapons to defend and attack (2 Chronicles 26:14). The weapons made available to us by the Lord Jesus are not carnal, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Uzziah pays special attention to Jerusalem in order to strengthen the city with engines of war (2 Chronicles 26:15a). Jerusalem is the center of worship and therefore the great target of enemy attacks. Uzziah realizes that and for that reason makes a fortress of the city. A place of worship is therefore also a protected and therefore safe place.

The tools of war are “invented by skillful men”. It requires a special ability to devise a spiritual defense system for attacks on the center of Christian life, the worship of the Father. This defense system is found in the Word of God. If we arm ourselves with God’s Word, we will see the attacks coming and we will also know how to repel them. Every believer must know his own weaknesses and be particularly vigilant there.

All the activities of Uzziah that we have seen before, give him a fame that is widely known. He owes this not to himself and his efforts, but to the LORD Who “marvelously helped” him. That has brought him to a height of fame and power. The last words of 2 Chronicles 26:15b, introduced with the word “until”, are a turning point and herald a dramatic change.

Ezra 6:6

Uzziah Becomes Proud

Man often does not know how to deal with adversity or prosperity. Uzziah forgets that he owes his prosperity and strength to the LORD. When he has become strong, his heart becomes proud (2 Chronicles 26:16). And “pride [goes] before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18b). Pride leads to destruction. Uzziah thinks that he can enter the sanctuary and behave as a king-priest. Authority and power in the realm of the kingship given to him by God leads to the temptation to be able to exercise authority and power in a realm that God has not given him.

In his audacity he moderates himself to the fact that he can burn incense. This happens in the sanctuary. He does so without having received any instruction from God. On the contrary, it is contrary to God’s statutes. God has determined that only priests may enter the sanctuary. God’s Word says he acts “corruptly”. Uzziah’s sin is different from that of his father and grandfather. Joash and Amaziah have transgressed by idolatry, removing, as it were, themselves from the sanctuary. Uzziah, on the other hand, enters the sanctuary and thereby becomes an offender. We are always inclined to fall into extremes.

Uzziah is sooner in the sanctuary than the priests. But the priests, led by Azariah, follow him (2 Chronicles 26:17). They are called “valiant men”. Men who stand up for the glory of God are valiant men, especially when they stand up against the most powerful man of Judah. No man, however distinguished, should be allowed to grasp what God has not given him.

The pride of Uzziah manifests itself in the field of service to God. We can compare this to the revolt of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:1-3). Uzziah places himself on a pedestal. This is happening today everywhere in professing Christianity where Christians adopt a religious position and conduct themselves in a religious manner, without taking into account God’s regulations.

Boldly, the priests oppose Uzziah the king (2 Chronicles 26:18). They point out to him what the LORD has determined about the incense. He should not go into the sanctuary and command him to leave. That he is there proves that he is unfaithful to the LORD. They will not be misled by all the good things Uzziah has done for the LORD. These good things are no excuse for the priests not to point out to Uzziah his unfaithfulness.

This is a lesson for us. We are inclined not to blame one who has done much good. But it is not about how we look at someone and his actions, but about how God judges certain actions. There is praise for the good, and there is admonition for the wrong.

Ezra 6:7

Uzziah Becomes Proud

Man often does not know how to deal with adversity or prosperity. Uzziah forgets that he owes his prosperity and strength to the LORD. When he has become strong, his heart becomes proud (2 Chronicles 26:16). And “pride [goes] before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18b). Pride leads to destruction. Uzziah thinks that he can enter the sanctuary and behave as a king-priest. Authority and power in the realm of the kingship given to him by God leads to the temptation to be able to exercise authority and power in a realm that God has not given him.

In his audacity he moderates himself to the fact that he can burn incense. This happens in the sanctuary. He does so without having received any instruction from God. On the contrary, it is contrary to God’s statutes. God has determined that only priests may enter the sanctuary. God’s Word says he acts “corruptly”. Uzziah’s sin is different from that of his father and grandfather. Joash and Amaziah have transgressed by idolatry, removing, as it were, themselves from the sanctuary. Uzziah, on the other hand, enters the sanctuary and thereby becomes an offender. We are always inclined to fall into extremes.

Uzziah is sooner in the sanctuary than the priests. But the priests, led by Azariah, follow him (2 Chronicles 26:17). They are called “valiant men”. Men who stand up for the glory of God are valiant men, especially when they stand up against the most powerful man of Judah. No man, however distinguished, should be allowed to grasp what God has not given him.

The pride of Uzziah manifests itself in the field of service to God. We can compare this to the revolt of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:1-3). Uzziah places himself on a pedestal. This is happening today everywhere in professing Christianity where Christians adopt a religious position and conduct themselves in a religious manner, without taking into account God’s regulations.

Boldly, the priests oppose Uzziah the king (2 Chronicles 26:18). They point out to him what the LORD has determined about the incense. He should not go into the sanctuary and command him to leave. That he is there proves that he is unfaithful to the LORD. They will not be misled by all the good things Uzziah has done for the LORD. These good things are no excuse for the priests not to point out to Uzziah his unfaithfulness.

This is a lesson for us. We are inclined not to blame one who has done much good. But it is not about how we look at someone and his actions, but about how God judges certain actions. There is praise for the good, and there is admonition for the wrong.

Ezra 6:8

Uzziah Becomes Proud

Man often does not know how to deal with adversity or prosperity. Uzziah forgets that he owes his prosperity and strength to the LORD. When he has become strong, his heart becomes proud (2 Chronicles 26:16). And “pride [goes] before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18b). Pride leads to destruction. Uzziah thinks that he can enter the sanctuary and behave as a king-priest. Authority and power in the realm of the kingship given to him by God leads to the temptation to be able to exercise authority and power in a realm that God has not given him.

In his audacity he moderates himself to the fact that he can burn incense. This happens in the sanctuary. He does so without having received any instruction from God. On the contrary, it is contrary to God’s statutes. God has determined that only priests may enter the sanctuary. God’s Word says he acts “corruptly”. Uzziah’s sin is different from that of his father and grandfather. Joash and Amaziah have transgressed by idolatry, removing, as it were, themselves from the sanctuary. Uzziah, on the other hand, enters the sanctuary and thereby becomes an offender. We are always inclined to fall into extremes.

Uzziah is sooner in the sanctuary than the priests. But the priests, led by Azariah, follow him (2 Chronicles 26:17). They are called “valiant men”. Men who stand up for the glory of God are valiant men, especially when they stand up against the most powerful man of Judah. No man, however distinguished, should be allowed to grasp what God has not given him.

The pride of Uzziah manifests itself in the field of service to God. We can compare this to the revolt of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:1-3). Uzziah places himself on a pedestal. This is happening today everywhere in professing Christianity where Christians adopt a religious position and conduct themselves in a religious manner, without taking into account God’s regulations.

Boldly, the priests oppose Uzziah the king (2 Chronicles 26:18). They point out to him what the LORD has determined about the incense. He should not go into the sanctuary and command him to leave. That he is there proves that he is unfaithful to the LORD. They will not be misled by all the good things Uzziah has done for the LORD. These good things are no excuse for the priests not to point out to Uzziah his unfaithfulness.

This is a lesson for us. We are inclined not to blame one who has done much good. But it is not about how we look at someone and his actions, but about how God judges certain actions. There is praise for the good, and there is admonition for the wrong.

Ezra 6:9

Uzziah Becomes a Leper

Uzziah is furious at the priests who reprimand him (2 Chronicles 26:19). There he stands, with the censer in his hand and planning to do something beautiful. If he is busy there with a religious act, something he feels good about, he is told by a few ‘sharpeners’ that he must not do this! He, the great man, blessed by God! Where do they get the audacity from? For him, the priests are people who take the Bible far too literally. They leave you no room to experience faith in your own way.

Uzziah cannot be persuaded. In reality he resists God’s statutes. While he enrages with the priests, leprosy breaks out with him, on his forehead. The forehead speaks of the thinking of man, his mind. It symbolizes that the mind rules over the things of God. It represents the over-estimation of human reason in serving God.

Uzziah has his own thoughts about what he can do in the service of God and follows these thoughts. The conditions under which the leprosy breaks out are described in more detail. It happens “before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense”. The circumstances in which he sinned make his sin very serious.

God could have smitten Uzziah with all kinds of illnesses or even death, but He smites him with leprosy. Leprosy is a picture of the sin that breaks out in man. In the Old Testament we encounter three persons with whom leprosy breaks out. First there is Miriam. She moderates herself to have the same authority as Moses (Numbers 12:1-10). We also see it with Gehazi. Gehazi is not satisfied with being a servant; he wants to be lord (2 Kings 5:20-27). Here we see it with Uzziah. In all three cases, pride plays a role.

The chief priest Azariah hurry him out (2 Chronicles 26:20). Also “all the priests”, with Azariah, turn against Uzziah. This is also how it should be if in the church self-will becomes public. All members of the church, all of whom are priests, should have the same aversion to sin as the Lord Jesus, the true Chief Priest. Because of the location Uzziah also realizes that he has committed a foolishness. He does not resist his eviction, but participates in it by rushing to leave the LORD’s house.

Azariah means ‘the LORD is my help’. Uzziah means ‘the LORD is my strength’. The name of his father Amaziah means ‘whom the LORD has strengthened’. The name of his mother Jechiliah (2 Chronicles 26:3) means ‘fortified by the LORD’. Everything with Uzziah speaks of the power of the LORD. If he had remained aware of this and had not relied on his own strength, he would not have had to live in separation until the day of his death (2 Chronicles 26:21). He is deprived of the service to God and also of fellowship with the members of God’s people (Leviticus 13:46). During this time of separation, he was able to think a lot about what he had done, in order to come to terms with God.

Ezra 6:10

Uzziah Becomes a Leper

Uzziah is furious at the priests who reprimand him (2 Chronicles 26:19). There he stands, with the censer in his hand and planning to do something beautiful. If he is busy there with a religious act, something he feels good about, he is told by a few ‘sharpeners’ that he must not do this! He, the great man, blessed by God! Where do they get the audacity from? For him, the priests are people who take the Bible far too literally. They leave you no room to experience faith in your own way.

Uzziah cannot be persuaded. In reality he resists God’s statutes. While he enrages with the priests, leprosy breaks out with him, on his forehead. The forehead speaks of the thinking of man, his mind. It symbolizes that the mind rules over the things of God. It represents the over-estimation of human reason in serving God.

Uzziah has his own thoughts about what he can do in the service of God and follows these thoughts. The conditions under which the leprosy breaks out are described in more detail. It happens “before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense”. The circumstances in which he sinned make his sin very serious.

God could have smitten Uzziah with all kinds of illnesses or even death, but He smites him with leprosy. Leprosy is a picture of the sin that breaks out in man. In the Old Testament we encounter three persons with whom leprosy breaks out. First there is Miriam. She moderates herself to have the same authority as Moses (Numbers 12:1-10). We also see it with Gehazi. Gehazi is not satisfied with being a servant; he wants to be lord (2 Kings 5:20-27). Here we see it with Uzziah. In all three cases, pride plays a role.

The chief priest Azariah hurry him out (2 Chronicles 26:20). Also “all the priests”, with Azariah, turn against Uzziah. This is also how it should be if in the church self-will becomes public. All members of the church, all of whom are priests, should have the same aversion to sin as the Lord Jesus, the true Chief Priest. Because of the location Uzziah also realizes that he has committed a foolishness. He does not resist his eviction, but participates in it by rushing to leave the LORD’s house.

Azariah means ‘the LORD is my help’. Uzziah means ‘the LORD is my strength’. The name of his father Amaziah means ‘whom the LORD has strengthened’. The name of his mother Jechiliah (2 Chronicles 26:3) means ‘fortified by the LORD’. Everything with Uzziah speaks of the power of the LORD. If he had remained aware of this and had not relied on his own strength, he would not have had to live in separation until the day of his death (2 Chronicles 26:21). He is deprived of the service to God and also of fellowship with the members of God’s people (Leviticus 13:46). During this time of separation, he was able to think a lot about what he had done, in order to come to terms with God.

Ezra 6:11

Uzziah Becomes a Leper

Uzziah is furious at the priests who reprimand him (2 Chronicles 26:19). There he stands, with the censer in his hand and planning to do something beautiful. If he is busy there with a religious act, something he feels good about, he is told by a few ‘sharpeners’ that he must not do this! He, the great man, blessed by God! Where do they get the audacity from? For him, the priests are people who take the Bible far too literally. They leave you no room to experience faith in your own way.

Uzziah cannot be persuaded. In reality he resists God’s statutes. While he enrages with the priests, leprosy breaks out with him, on his forehead. The forehead speaks of the thinking of man, his mind. It symbolizes that the mind rules over the things of God. It represents the over-estimation of human reason in serving God.

Uzziah has his own thoughts about what he can do in the service of God and follows these thoughts. The conditions under which the leprosy breaks out are described in more detail. It happens “before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense”. The circumstances in which he sinned make his sin very serious.

God could have smitten Uzziah with all kinds of illnesses or even death, but He smites him with leprosy. Leprosy is a picture of the sin that breaks out in man. In the Old Testament we encounter three persons with whom leprosy breaks out. First there is Miriam. She moderates herself to have the same authority as Moses (Numbers 12:1-10). We also see it with Gehazi. Gehazi is not satisfied with being a servant; he wants to be lord (2 Kings 5:20-27). Here we see it with Uzziah. In all three cases, pride plays a role.

The chief priest Azariah hurry him out (2 Chronicles 26:20). Also “all the priests”, with Azariah, turn against Uzziah. This is also how it should be if in the church self-will becomes public. All members of the church, all of whom are priests, should have the same aversion to sin as the Lord Jesus, the true Chief Priest. Because of the location Uzziah also realizes that he has committed a foolishness. He does not resist his eviction, but participates in it by rushing to leave the LORD’s house.

Azariah means ‘the LORD is my help’. Uzziah means ‘the LORD is my strength’. The name of his father Amaziah means ‘whom the LORD has strengthened’. The name of his mother Jechiliah (2 Chronicles 26:3) means ‘fortified by the LORD’. Everything with Uzziah speaks of the power of the LORD. If he had remained aware of this and had not relied on his own strength, he would not have had to live in separation until the day of his death (2 Chronicles 26:21). He is deprived of the service to God and also of fellowship with the members of God’s people (Leviticus 13:46). During this time of separation, he was able to think a lot about what he had done, in order to come to terms with God.

Ezra 6:12

The Death of Uzziah

For the rest of Uzziah’s history, the chronicler does not refer as usual to the archives of the kings, the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, but to what Isaiah wrote about him (2 Chronicles 26:22). Isaiah investigated the long reign of Uzziah and described it. In the book of Isaiah, the Holy Spirit has only written down from that description what is useful for us to know.

When Uzziah dies, he is buried in a place resulting from his leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:23). He is not buried with the kings, but “in the field of the grave which belonged to the kings”, probably an adjacent field. His son Jotham becomes king in his place.

In the year of Uzziah’s death Isaiah, one of the greatest prophets of Israel, is called to his service (Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 6:1). On that occasion Isaiah sees the glory of the LORD, that is the glory of the Lord Jesus (Isaiah 6:1; John 12:41). In the light of that glory, not only Uzziah, but the whole people and also Isaiah are unclean. But there is also reconciliation (Isaiah 6:5-7).

We can find a lot in the book of the prophet Isaiah about the time that comes in Israel after Uzziah’s death and about the spiritual state of the people. The prophet Hosea also preaches at that time and his prophecy also sheds light on the spiritual condition of the people (Hosea 1:1).

Ezra 6:13

The Death of Uzziah

For the rest of Uzziah’s history, the chronicler does not refer as usual to the archives of the kings, the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, but to what Isaiah wrote about him (2 Chronicles 26:22). Isaiah investigated the long reign of Uzziah and described it. In the book of Isaiah, the Holy Spirit has only written down from that description what is useful for us to know.

When Uzziah dies, he is buried in a place resulting from his leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:23). He is not buried with the kings, but “in the field of the grave which belonged to the kings”, probably an adjacent field. His son Jotham becomes king in his place.

In the year of Uzziah’s death Isaiah, one of the greatest prophets of Israel, is called to his service (Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 6:1). On that occasion Isaiah sees the glory of the LORD, that is the glory of the Lord Jesus (Isaiah 6:1; John 12:41). In the light of that glory, not only Uzziah, but the whole people and also Isaiah are unclean. But there is also reconciliation (Isaiah 6:5-7).

We can find a lot in the book of the prophet Isaiah about the time that comes in Israel after Uzziah’s death and about the spiritual state of the people. The prophet Hosea also preaches at that time and his prophecy also sheds light on the spiritual condition of the people (Hosea 1:1).

Ezra 6:15

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.

Ezra 6:16

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.

Ezra 6:17

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.

Ezra 6:18

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.

Ezra 6:19

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.

Ezra 6:20

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.

Ezra 6:21

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.

Ezra 6:22

Jotham King of Judah

Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah. He is twenty-five years old when he comes on the throne (2 Chronicles 27:1) and then exercises the kingship for a period of sixteen years. It is not improbable that he shared the first part of his kingship with his father Uzziah during his leprosy and thereby was unable to exercise the actual reign.

The name of his mother and her origin are also mentioned. She must have been a woman who feared God and raised Jotham in the fear of the LORD. Throughout the entire period of his reign responsibility Jotham has done what is right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2). In fact, Jotham is one of the few persons in the Bible from whom we read nothing bad. From him we read only good things.

Therefore, if it says that he has done “according to all that his father Uzziah had done”, it refers to the first part of the reign of Uzziah. It is expressly stated that Jotham did not follow his father in evil. He did not enter the temple of the LORD, which his father did, and thereby indicates that he was warned by his father’s wicked example. He imitates his father in good, not in evil (cf. 3 John 1:11a).

The people do not follow Jotham in the good. While Jotham has been warned by the wrong example of his father and God’s judgment on it, the people “continue” their pernicious practices. The word ‘continue’ is important. They don’t start to sin in the days of Jotham, but they continue with what they are already doing. It shows perseverance in sin, despite the warnings of prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Hosea and good examples of kings in their good days. The sinful condition of the people is sharply denounced by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1-31).

Just like his father Uzziah in his good years, Jotham is also a builder and a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:3-5). His first edifice, the upper gate, has to do with the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3). Probably the upper gate is the connection between the palace and the temple, between the residence of the king and the residence of the LORD. It is indeed important that that connection is good. That is his first concern. That is how it should be with us.

His other buildings are cities, fortresses and towers (2 Chronicles 27:4). Cities are living communities and castles and towers are meant to protect against hostile forces or predatory gangs. It is important that we enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters and therefore do not forsake our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Standing alone, we are an easy prey for the enemy. We must also always be vigilant, so that we do not become prey to the thinking of the world (Colossians 2:8).

Building and strengthening are good activities. We are responsible for building ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20a). At the same time, there is a danger that we will rely on our buildings. The prophets warn of a building of walls and towers without trust in the LORD (Isaiah 2:15; Hosea 8:14). In all our activities we should never forget that the true power and protection only comes from God.

Besides being a builder, Jotham is also a warrior (2 Chronicles 27:5). He subdues the Ammonites and imposes taxes om them. He receives these three consecutive years, probably the last three years of his reign. The one hundred talents of silver, which Amaziah lost due to a wrong investment (2 Chronicles 25:6-9), return here.

Every victory we achieve for the Lord produces both a direct result and a long-term result. Through every victory we become spiritually stronger and that works as long as we remain dependent on the Lord.

We see that with Jotham. It keeps going well with him. He strengthens his position, both internally and externally. This happens because he does everything in the knowledge that he lives before the LORD, his God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The LORD is “his God”. In this case this indicates that he has a personal relationship with God. It can’t be otherwise but he is a man of prayer. He constantly asks the LORD how he should order his ways.

That also applies to us. Personal contact with the Lord in prayer is the secret of strength in our lives. Only then will our ways be directed toward Him and He can bless them. The ancestors of Jotham later went wrong because they have forgotten to live from that personal relationship with the LORD and from there to walk the path of faith.

With this observation, the chronicler has come to the end of his description of Jotham’s life. The rest of Jotham’s history can be found in the archives of the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 27:7). Under “all his wars” we can include those against the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5) and possibly also those against Syria and the ten tribes (2 Kings 15:36-37). The account of “his acts” will have been encouraging for the God-fearing Israelites to read. For these are acts which he has done “before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). It is always good to read biographies of men and women who have lived for the Lord.

Then it is repeated what has already been said in 2 Chronicles 27:1 (2 Chronicles 27:8). It emphasizes the value of this life to the LORD. After this valuable life, of which we only have a few events in Scripture, Jotham “slept with his fathers” (2 Chronicles 27:9). He is buried “in the city of David”. There he is, still, waiting for the resurrection that will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jotham is succeeded by his son Ahaz. This son is an evil man. He doesn’t resemble his father at all. We will see that in the next chapter.