
Hosted by John Ross · EN

King Josiah takes the throne at age 8, begins to seek the Lord at age 16, and cleanses the land of false idols and high places at age 20. At 24, he commands his servants to clean and repair the temple of God, and when they do so, they discover the book of the law of God taken down by the hand of Moses. After consulting a prophet, he learns that God’s wrath will soon be poured out on Israel. He calls the people to carry out the covenant of God with him, and they observe the Passover. After Josiah’s death, four kings of Judah reign in just 22 years time, at which point the Lord sends his people into exile. 2 Chronicles 34 - 1:15 . 2 Chronicles 35 - 10:09 . 2 Chronicles 36 - 16:49 . Isaiah 10:20 - 22:04 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Now that Hezekiah has reestablished worship at the Lord’s temple, he wants to provide for the Levites who have gathered together to serve the Lord in the work of the temple. Thankfully, the people of Judah show kindness and faithfulness by giving a tenth of all that they harvested and produced. Later, King Sennacherib threatens Hezekiah and all Judah by laying siege to their fortified cities and denouncing the Lord God of Israel. Hezekiah maintains faithfulness, putting his trust in the Lord, and is delivered from the hands of his enemies. After Hezekiah’s death, two kings arise from his lineage named Manasseh and Amon, but sadly they excel in evil like King Ahaz before them. 2 Chronicles 31 - 1:17 . 2 Chronicles 32 - 6:17 . 2 Chronicles 33 - 14:51 . Isaiah 10:1-19 - 20:25 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode we read about King Ahaz, one of the most evil and unfaithful kings in Judah’s history. He not only worshipped other gods, but sacrificed his children to them ass an act of pagan worship. When his son Hezekiah comes to power, he literally cleans house, restoring the temple of the Lord so that all Israel could be called back to worship the God of their ancestors. The priests and the Levites are called upon to consecrate themselves for worship, and they do everything by the book. When the temple has been made ready, they celebrate the Passover early because the people had not done so in a long time. Scripture records that nothing like this has happened since the days of King Solomon. 2 Chronicles 29 - 1:11 . 2 Chronicles 30 - 9:59 . Isaiah 9 - 16:40 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we considered the life of King Joash, the baby heir to the throne who was rescued and brought to kingship by Jehoiada the priest. Joash abandoned the Lord’s temple, and was later assassinated. The next four kings continue this lineage. Amaziah begins well, but surprisingly turns to worship the idols of those he has defeated, and soon thereafter becomes overconfident. Amaziah’s son, Uzziah, also begins well, but he, too, becomes overconfident, and acts unfaithfully by offering incense in the Lord’s temple, a role that is reserved only for priests. Next, Jotham’s reign is pretty quiet, as he did not waver in obeying the Lord. Finally, King Ahaz sells out to other countries and other gods and is invaded by Tiglath-Pileser. 2 Chronicles 25 - 1:11 . 2 Chronicles 26 - 8:18 . 2 Chronicles 27 – 13:30 . 2 Chronicles 28 - 15:56 . Isaiah 8 - 22:04 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode we covered the life of King Jehoshaphat who was faithful to the Lord, but in today’s episode we witness the beginning of the end for the kings of Judah. Jehoshaphat’s son, King Jehoram is straight-up Je-horrible and when he dies from a horrific intestinal disease, Scripture records that he “died to no one’s regret.” Sounds like a great epitaph for a tombstone doesn’t it? His son, Jehoahaz, whom we should note is mainly called Ahaziah, takes the throne after him for only one year before he is killed. After his death, his mother Athaliah goes on a killing spree in order to take the throne, but an heir to the throne is waiting undercover to take back the kingdom. 2 Chronicles 21 - 1:08 . 2 Chronicles 22 - 5:31 . 2 Chronicles 23 - 9:20 . 2 Chronicles 24 - 14:53 . Isaiah 7 - 21:18 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

At the end of our last episode we were introduced to Asa’s son, King Jehoshaphat, and today we’ll read further accounts of his life. Jehoshaphat instituted a plan to educate Judah in the ways of the Lord, sending officials and priests out with the book of the Lord’s instruction. Remember that Asa failed to call upon the name of the Lord when there was threat of war, but by contrast, Jehoshaphat regularly calls upon the Lord throughout this narrative. Each time Jehoshaphat humbles himself and prays or calls a prophet to inquire of the Lord, the Lord is gracious and delivers him from trouble, blessing Judah with riches and peace. 2 Chronicles 18 - 1:09 . 2 Chronicles 19 - 9:29 . 2 Chronicles 20 - 12:08 . Isaiah 6 - 21:36 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading today examines the lives of two descendants of David who each reigned as king over Israel. First: Abijah, who reigned for only 3 years, but who made an impassioned speech against Israel’s king Jeroboam, warning him that he should not wage war against the Lord and those who serve Him. Abijah’s son Asa takes the throne after him, and Asa devotes himself to the Lord for most of his life. The Lord rewards Asa’s faithfulness by blessing the nation of Judah with a long period of peace. When the threat of war finally becomes immanent, Asa fails to consult the Lord, and instead turns towards another king for help. 2 Chronicles 13 - 1:13 . 2 Chronicles 14 - 5:59 . 2 Chronicles 15 - 10:10 . 2 Chronicles 16 - 13:29 . 2 Chronicles 17 - 16:34 . Isaiah 5 - 19:52 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Worship at the new temple has been established and the people of Israel begin to worship the Lord with renewed vigor and zeal. The Lord honors their worship and continues to love His people by providing for them and protecting them. King Solomon’s wisdom and wealth become known across the ancient world, and royalty from nearby nations come to seek his counsel and insight. Ironically, Solomon’s wisdom is not passed on to his son, Rehoboam, as one of his first decrees runs in direct contradiction to the council of elders. By trusting his friends more than the advice of wise men with experience, Rehoboam serves as a catalyst for division. 2 Chronicles 9 - 1:09 . 2 Chronicles 10 - 8:09 . 2 Chronicles 11 - 12:04 . 2 Chronicles 12 - 16:15 . Isaiah 3 - 19:49 . Isaiah 4 - 23:55 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Solomon has finished the work of building the temple and the ark of the covenant is now in the newly constructed room known as the most holy place. The priests have consecrated themselves and will worship the Lord through music. Solomon prays to the Lord before the nation of Israel, asking God to hear their prayers, reminding the people through his prayer that God resides in heaven, and is not confined to the walls of the temple. At the conclusion of his prayer, the temple fills with a cloud and with the Lord’s glory to such a degree that the priests are not able to continue ministering. The Lord responds to Solomon by reaffirming his commitment to David’s lineage so long as they are faithful to His statutes. 2 Chronicles 6 - 1:08 . 2 Chronicles 7 - 10:50 . 2 Chronicles 8 - 16:47 . Isaiah 2 - 20:22 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

We’re back in the Old Testament with 2 Chronicles which is the second book of a four book series which includes 1 & 2 Chronicles along with Ezra and Nehemiah. Combined, they make up a historical account of God’s people starting with Adam and ending with the return to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon. It’s likely that Ezra is the author of all four and the one responsible for compiling the material, but we don’t know for sure. Here in the second book of Chronicles we begin with the rule of Solomon, son of King David, who has been given authority as king by God’s special decree. Later, we’ll begin reading Isaiah, and in chapter 1 you’ll notice a stark contrast between worship at the temple’s beginning and worship in the temple’s latter days. 2 Chronicles 1 - 1:08 . 2 Chronicles 2 - 4:34 . 2 Chronicles 3 - 9:48 . 2 Chronicles 4 - 12:46 . 2 Chronicles 5 - 16:24 . Isaiah 1 - 19:49 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org