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2 Chronicles Chapter Thirty-six

 

2 Chronicles 36

Chapter Contents

The destruction of Jerusalem. (1-21) The proclamation of Cyrus. (22 23)

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 36:1-21

(Read 2 Chronicles 36:1-21)

The ruin of Judah and Jerusalem came on by degrees. The methods God takes to call back sinners by his word by ministers by conscience by providences are all instances of his compassion toward them and his unwillingness that any should perish. See here what woful havoc sin makes and as we value the comfort and continuance of our earthly blessings let us keep that worm from the root of them. They had many times ploughed and sowed their land in the seventh year when it should have rested and now it lay unploughed and unsown for ten times seven years. God will be no loser in his glory at last by the disobedience of men. If they refused to let the land rest God would make it rest. What place O God shall thy justice spare if Jerusalem has perished? If that delight of thine were cut off for wickedness let us not be high-minded but fear.

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 36:22 23

(Read 2 Chronicles 36:22 23)

God had promised the restoring of the captives and the rebuilding of Jerusalem at the end of seventy years; and that time to favour Zion that set time came at last. Though God's church be cast down it is not cast off; though his people be corrected they are not abandoned; though thrown into the furnace they are not lost there nor left there any longer than till the dross be separated. Though God contend long he will not contend always. Before we close the books of the Chronicles which contain a faithful register of events think what desolation sin introduced into the world nay even into the church of God. Let us tremble at what is here recorded while in the character of some few gracious souls we discover that the Lord left not himself without witness. And when we have looked at this faithful portrait of man by nature let us contrast with it that same nature when recovered by Almighty grace through the justifying and soul-adorning righteousness of Christ our Saviour.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on 2 Chronicles

 

2 Chronicles 36

Verse 8

[8] Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and his abominations which he did and that which was found in him behold they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

Found in him — That crime of rebellion against the king of Babylon which for a time he kept in his own breast but when he saw fit discovered it and was convicted of it.

Verse 10

[10] And when the year was expired king Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Expired — Heb. at the return of the year: at the beginning of the next year according to the sacred account of the Hebrews at the spring of the year the time when kings go forth to battle as is elsewhere said when Nebuchadnezzar among others went forth to settle and enlarge his conquests.

His brother — Largely so called for this was his uncle or his father's brother being the son of Josiah.

Verse 13

[13] And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

By God — Who had required him to swear fealty and constant obedience to him by the true God whom he called upon to be a witness against him if he broke his oath. So his rebellion was aggravated with perjury and horrid contempt of God.

Verse 15

[15] And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers rising up betimes and sending; because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place:

Rising — Sending them early and diligently as a careful house-holder who rises betimes about his business. God sent them many prophets and messages some at the very beginning of their apostacy and others afterward 'till the very day of their captivity.

Verse 16

[16] But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his prophets until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people till there was no remedy.

No remedy — Because the people would not repent and God would not pardon them.

Verse 17

[17] Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion upon young man or maiden old man or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.

Chaldees — Abraham was called out of Ur of the Chaldees when God took him into covenant with himself. And now his degenerate seed are carried into that country again to signify that they had forfeited all that kindness wherewith they had been loved for their father's sake and the benefit of the covenant into which he was called.

Verse 21

[21] To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath to fulfil threescore and ten years.

Sabbaths — Had rested from the labour of the husbandman in plowing and harrowing it; the people that should have managed it being destroyed. Many a time had they ploughed and sowed their land in the seventh year when it should have rested: and now it lay unploughed and unsown for ten times seven years. Yet even this might encourage them to hope that they should in due time return to it again. Had others come and taken possession of it they might have despaired of ever recovering it. But while it lay desolate it as it were waited for them and refused to acknowledge any other owners.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on 2 Chronicles

 

36 Chapter 36

 

Verses 1-23


Verses 15-17

2 Chronicles 36:15-17

And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by is me messengers rising up betimes.

Presumptuous rebellion

I. We see here continued rebellion which suggests--

1. That habits are easily commenced. There is little difficulty in forming’ habits. They are not acquired by one mighty bound but by a series of almost imperceptible steps.

2. That habits are readily strengthened. Every step that is taken is planted with firmer grip. With every ripple that flows the stream becomes wider and swifter fed as it were with other streamlets on the way. Every time an action is repeated the easier it becomes and the more deeply rooted in the soul.

3. That habits are seldom eradicated. Can the Ethiopian change his skin? Yea easier than a man unassisted by Divine help can break away from evil habits. They become part of the nature of the man himself.

II. We see the presumption of continued rebellion. We are constantly reminded of the fact that God is merciful. But there is a limit to the mercy and forbearance even of God. This is evident--

1. From the fact that it is impossible always to continue His warning and judgments on the impenitent. If the obstinacy of one person cannot be overcome it were unjust on that account to remove the chance of salvation from others.

2. From the inevitable progress of temporal affairs. Death comes on with his rapid step and cuts short the life and with it the opportunities of repentance from the obdurate spirit. Then the door of mercy must be shut for ever.

3. From the very nature of the refusal. Is it likely that He the Lord of all will continue offering heavenly treasures to human swine who only trample His gifts in the mire? Oh it is a sad and an awful truth that man may presume too far even on infinite love!

III. We see the awful end of presumptuous sin. The consequences are at the last utter destruction and irretrievable loss. This stands to reason if we remember--

1. That God must vindicate His character.

2. That an example must be set to the world at large.

3. That the sinful must be removed out of the way. (Homilist.)

Unheeded warning

The island of Ischia was a favourite summer resort of Italians. In 1883 the sinking of water in wells mutterings and rumblings underground distinctly foretold a coming earthquake; these signs were noticed and understood but through fear of frightening visitors and so losing custom hotel-keepers and others refrained from making public these warnings. Ruin and death ensued involving those who knew and heeded not and those who through lack of warning had unwittingly exposed themselves to peril.

Till there was no remedy.

No remedy

These words contain three facts of great importance.

1. That there was at least at one time a remedy.

2. That the remedy went on and might have been used for a very long period.

3. That there came a time when the remedy ceased.

I. All life is a remedy. The conditions of things require it. Life a great restorative process.

1. Comes that marvellous provision of God in Jesus Christ.

2. All providences have a curative character.

3. Every one carries within himself an antidote to evil. Conscience till silenced a sure antidote to evil.

II. Notice the word “till.” It shows how slow God is to take away the remedy. We may sin ourselves into a state not in which there is no forgiveness but no thought or desire to seek forgiveness. “No remedy ” not on God’s account but your own; not in God’s want of will to save you but in your own incapacity to will your own salvation. (J. Vaughan M.A.)


Verse 22-23

2 Chronicles 36:22-23

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persta.

Cyrus: the divinely-directed deliverer

I. God stirred up cyrus to do a great and necessary work.

II. Cyrus was a fitting instrument for the great work.

III. God has various means whereby to incite to action.

IV. The divine incitement to the necessary work was at a most opportune time.

V. God teaches his instruments how as well as when to act.

VI. As the lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus so he can stir men now. (F. Hastings.)

He made a proclamation.--

The decree of Cyrus; or all things for the Church

I. God uses kings and rulers for His Church. That the Lord raises up men within the Church to be leaders and mighty workers in her behalf is a fact which the Bible and all history fully prove. Such men were Noah Abraham Joseph Moses David Paul Augustine Luther Calvin Wesley. But He calls men from without also to work for her. Conspicuous among this number is Cyrus the Persian king. Though Cyrus be a marked illustration of the matter under discussion especially so because of the clear declarations of prophecy on his behalf still he is by no means the only one. Through the intervention of Joseph God made Pharaoh the preserver of His people. The immediate successors of Cyrus on the Persian throne followed his example. Through the influence of Esther and Mordecai Ahasuerus in a most critical time became the saviour of the Jews. Later in the time of Darius the interrupted work upon the temple at Jerusalem was renewed and pushed forward. Still later in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah Artaxerxes expended his royal treasure in establishing the remnant of the Jews in their ancient and. Alexander the Great marching upon Jerusalem with a bitter purpose in his heart is suddenly changed from foe to friend. Like Cyrus he too doubtless was shown the sacred books of the Jews and in the prophesy of Daniel saw himself described and his career delineated. The general policy of the Roman government was severe but many of the emperors moved by kindness of disposition or considerations of State were lenient towards the Christians. Ere long the government itself became Christian and throughout the Middle Ages power was on the side of the Church. At the Reformation whenever and wherever needed men were raised up among the rulers of the world to be abettors of the new faith and breakwaters against the floods of persecution. Such were the elector of Saxony in the days of Luther and measurably so Henry VIII of England. Such were the Syndics who stood around Calvin At Geneva. Such Elisabeth Gustavus Adolphus Cromwell And the same thing is transpiring in our own days.

II. God handles the nations for the good of the Church. We know that the nations round about the Hebrews in all their history were instruments in God’s hands for disciplining them and fashioning them to His will. To this end He ordered their affairs. And the same thing is apparent in these modern ages. Was it fortuitous that England early became Protestant and the champion of the new faith? Was it a thing of chance that Saxony the Netherlands Switzerland Sweden resisted the tyranny of the Pope? Did it merely happen that this broad land of ours was sealed against the efforts of Rome to possess it and was preserved as virgin soil for a pure faith and a free government? Is not God’s hand in England’s occupancy of India and can we not see that thereby that land is bespoken for Christ? Is Italy’s emancipation from the Pope wholly of man? Is Germany’s attitude to Rome of Bismarck as much as it is of God? Blind is he who cannot see God’s use of the nations in these modem times!

III. God uses the world’s material resources and forces for the Church. God has always put the world’s wealth under tribute as He has needed it from the day when Israel went out of Egypt to the present time. And the tribute increases as the Church increases. More of the world’s wealth is flowing into the channels of the Church now than ever before. But not merely wealth--money expression of value--but every good and uplifting form at work among men God uses for the development of His plan. Discovery invention progress in economical and industrial arts natural science--all these things which are represented in the complicated civilisation of our day are likewise represented in the Christianity of the times. Providence takes them up and utilises them as they appear; nay more orders the time and the manner of their appearance. How true of the art of printing! The first book printed was the Bible And from that day forward God has been presiding at the printing press and scattering its leaves for the healing of the nations. The fleets of commerce beam the gospel to the corners of the world. Discovery in geography ethnology philology adds new buttresses to Christianity. All these and the like though material and natural forces yet work spiritual results.

1. By all these means God fulfils His prophecies and accomplishes His purpose. None can hinder none compel. On the trains of providence there are neither accidents nor delays.

2. Herein we see the undying nature of the Church. Great has been the heat of her affliction but by it have her enemies been consumed.

3. The Spirit of God is abroad in the world preparing the way for the coming of Christ’s kingdom. How should the servants of the Lord be encouraged in labour and in prayer by the Spirit’s antecedent work in every heart!

4. In all these things we have the assurance of the triumph of God’s kingdom. (H. S. Kelsey.)

──The Biblical Illustrator