Read 2 Chronicles 21
Highlights:
Jehoram’s, Ahaziah’s and Athaliah’s reigns; prophecy of Elijah; Joash becomes king and repairs the Temple; the nation turns to idolatry
Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance (2 Chr. 24:11).
The house of the Lord had been damaged greatly by His enemies and evil doers in past times. When Joash became king over Judah, he realized the Lord's house was in need of great repair. He made this a priority in his reign as king.
Joash called Jehoiada, who was chief of the priests, and the other priests and Levites together. He asked Jehoiada why the collections had not been made by the Levites as commanded by God through Moses. He told them to go throughout the nation taking up the collections to repair God's house.
So, they built a chest and set it in front of God's house. The word was spread all throughout the land that the collection was to be brought and placed in the chest. This was to be done as Moses commanded many generations before. This instruction carries on through the teachings of the New Testament. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).
To perceive how the people would react could have been difficult. They could have reacted carnally and questioned if the money was to be used properly since there had most likely been times it had not been, or they could have acted in obedience and humbly given.
The reaction was far beyond what any could expect. The Word of God says there was rejoicing throughout the kingdom. As we see in the above verse, the people gave far more than any thought they would give. There was an overflow of funds to repair the Lord's house and to continue to maintain it, and the funds continued to come in to the chest. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Mal. 3:10).
This might seem to be a devotion on tithing. Tithing is a part of it, but the larger thought is the upkeep of God's house or Kingdom on earth. The Church is the body of which Christ is the head. We grow it with not only our own funds, but with our time and our talents as well. Those who love the Lord are willing to give of themselves to advance the Kingdom of God.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ (1 Cor. 12:12).
Thought for Today:
It is a difficult thing to wait on the Lord for our “mate”, but how tragic to marry an unbeliever who has no hope of Heaven.
Christ Revealed:
By Jehoiada, the high priest, who faithfully hid and protected Joash (2 Chr. 23:1-11). Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 5:5-10), and we are hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
Word Studies:
21:9 compassed him in, surrounded him; 21:19 of sore diseases, in severe suffering; no burning for him, no funeral fire to honor him; 22:10 seed royal, royal offspring of the house of David; 23:9 bucklers, small shields; 23:14 Have her forth of the ranges, take her outside beyond the Temple under guard; 24:13 in his state, in its original condition; 24:25 great diseases, intense suffering.
Prayer Suggestion: Ask for the blessings of God upon your family and home (2 Sam. 7:29).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:157
