THE DIVEDED KINGDOM: JUDAH (3)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) The book of 1 Kings begins with a nation united under David, the most devout king in Israel's history. The book ends with a divided kingdom and the death of Ahab, the most wicked king of all. What happened? The people forgot to acknowledge God as their ultimate leader; they appointed human leaders who ignored God; and then they conformed to the life-styles of these evil leaders. Occasional wrongdoing gradually turned into a way of life. Their blatant wickedness could be met only with judgment from God, who allowed enemy nations to arise and defeat Israel and Judah in battle as punishment for their sins. Failing to acknowledge God as our ultimate leader is the first step toward ruin.
b) God has always sent prophets to Israel and Judah to warn them of coming judgment.
1. The Southern Kingdom of Judah (2 tribes)
i) Capital: Jerusalem.
a) Prophets:
i) Micah (742-687 B.C.)
ii) Isaiah (740-681 B.C.)
b) Kings:
@1. Azariah or Uzziah (792)
i) 52 years. Rebuilt a city named Elath, owned many farms and vineyards, constructed water reservoirs and fortified towers, reorganized the army (so powerful that his fame spread to Egypt), but violated God's laws for priestly function - so God struck him with leprosy.
ii) 2 Kings 15:1-17; 2 Chronicles 26:1-23.
@2. Jotham (750)
i) 16 years. Rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple, rebuilt walls and cities, but still permitted idol worship.
ii) 2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chronicles 27:1-9.
@3. Ahaz (735)
i) 16 years. Sacrificed his own son to heathen gods, nailed the temple doors shut.
ii) 2 Kings 16:1-20; 2 Chronicles 28:1-27.
@4. Hezekiah (715)
i) 29 years. Was a devoted follower of God, reopened the temple doors, purified the temple, reinstated priests and their duties, organized an orchestra to aid worship, destroyed idols (including the bronze serpent of Moses because people had begun to worship it), celebrated the Passover and even invited people who were living in the north to participate, constructed large public waterworks, was given 15 extra years of life, foolishly showed messengers the wealth in the temple.
ii) 2 Kings 16:20; 18:1-20:21; 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33.
@5. Manasseh (697)
i) 55 years. Rebuilt all the heathen shrines, sacrificed one of his own sons, practiced sorcery, set up an idol right in the temple, murdered many of his own people, but repented during his Assyrian captivity.
ii) 2 Kings 21:1-18; 2 Chronicles 33:1-20.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) The book of 1 Kings begins with a nation united under David, the most devout king in Israel's history. The book ends with a divided kingdom and the death of Ahab, the most wicked king of all. What happened? The people forgot to acknowledge God as their ultimate leader; they appointed human leaders who ignored God; and then they conformed to the life-styles of these evil leaders. Occasional wrongdoing gradually turned into a way of life. Their blatant wickedness could be met only with judgment from God, who allowed enemy nations to arise and defeat Israel and Judah in battle as punishment for their sins. Failing to acknowledge God as our ultimate leader is the first step toward ruin.
b) God has always sent prophets to Israel and Judah to warn them of coming judgment.
1. The Southern Kingdom of Judah (2 tribes)
i) Capital: Jerusalem.
a) Prophets:
i) Micah (742-687 B.C.)
ii) Isaiah (740-681 B.C.)
b) Kings:
@1. Azariah or Uzziah (792)
i) 52 years. Rebuilt a city named Elath, owned many farms and vineyards, constructed water reservoirs and fortified towers, reorganized the army (so powerful that his fame spread to Egypt), but violated God's laws for priestly function - so God struck him with leprosy.
ii) 2 Kings 15:1-17; 2 Chronicles 26:1-23.
@2. Jotham (750)
i) 16 years. Rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple, rebuilt walls and cities, but still permitted idol worship.
ii) 2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chronicles 27:1-9.
@3. Ahaz (735)
i) 16 years. Sacrificed his own son to heathen gods, nailed the temple doors shut.
ii) 2 Kings 16:1-20; 2 Chronicles 28:1-27.
@4. Hezekiah (715)
i) 29 years. Was a devoted follower of God, reopened the temple doors, purified the temple, reinstated priests and their duties, organized an orchestra to aid worship, destroyed idols (including the bronze serpent of Moses because people had begun to worship it), celebrated the Passover and even invited people who were living in the north to participate, constructed large public waterworks, was given 15 extra years of life, foolishly showed messengers the wealth in the temple.
ii) 2 Kings 16:20; 18:1-20:21; 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33.
@5. Manasseh (697)
i) 55 years. Rebuilt all the heathen shrines, sacrificed one of his own sons, practiced sorcery, set up an idol right in the temple, murdered many of his own people, but repented during his Assyrian captivity.
ii) 2 Kings 21:1-18; 2 Chronicles 33:1-20.
Comments
Post a Comment