II Chronicles: Conclusion

In relating the story of Judah, II Chronicles shares moments of glory, incredible victories, and times of spiritually sensitive revival. It also reveals moments of pain, momentous defeats, and times of rebellious abomination. Although God gave forgiveness, second chances, and extensions of mercy, the kings and the nation moved progressively toward rebellion and evil, ultimately bringing destruction through God's judgment.

Because of the grace and promises of God, however, the story amazingly continues past destruction. It seems impossible that this story could end on a positive note, but the verse describing judgment also hints at a future: "until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths" and "until seventy years were complete" (II Chronicles 36:21). God's judgment was not permanent; the final two verses of the book reveal that God's interaction with these rebellious people was not over.

God still wanted to bless them, and He again gave an opportunity. Cyrus, the foreign king over Judah's captivity, humbly recognized God's blessing on his reign and acknowledged his mission from God. God directed Cyrus to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and Cyrus issued an open invitation to the captives of Judah, "Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!" (36:23). Cyrus thus initiated the return of the Jews to their land.

This result should not be surprising. God had made promises to the patriarchs and to David. Having chosen this people for Himself, God had promised they would be a great multitude and would never be annihilated. He had promised David an unending royal line. As surely as God kept His promise to destroy Judah if they rebelled, He would keep His promise to restore them.

Solomon, the first king described in II Chronicles, prayed, "When they sin against You . . . and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive . . . if they . . . repent and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity . . . then hear from heaven . . . their prayer and supplications, and maintain their cause and forgive Your people" (6:36-39). God responded, "[If] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (7:14).

God also shared the negative consequences: "If you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot you from My land" (7:19-20). This response is consistent with how God has historically dealt with His people. Throughout Scripture, God promised either blessing or judgment based on how His people responded toward Him, and He consistently followed through.

II Chronicles is not at all secretive about why God blessed or judged at specific times. Over and over again God overtly states His reasons for blessing (humility and obedience) or for judgment (rebellion and disobedience). The two outcomes are extremely different. God's blessing was rich - land prospering, military strengthened, amazing victories. God's judgment was harsh - losses in battle, captivity, serious illness, political upheaval. The sober message is this: When God's blessing is so great, why would someone not want to be clearly on His side? When God's judgment is so heavy, why would someone ever want to turn against God? When God is so ready to forgive, why would people not turn to Him and repent?

II Chronicles reveals God's grace. Understanding the weakness of sinful man, God declared kings to be good even when they were inconsistent. Some kings failed greatly, but rather than demanding perfection in order to give blessing, God looked for a heart inclined toward Him and generally seeking to please Him. God was quick to reverse His dealings when evil kings repented. Despite a lifetime opposing God, it took just an instance of humility to change everything. If men were willing to turn to God, He was waiting to embrace them.

The biggest challenge to good kings remaining faithful was pride. Several kings who were great followers of God and experienced His blessing failed in their later years. Perhaps they attributed their success to their own efforts, forgetting it came from the gracious hand of God. Their pride marked the end of blessing and produced blemishes on the records of otherwise godly men. When they forgot how much they needed God, they fell.

God's blessing did not mean the absence of problems. While life is peaceful at times, every life has problems. The godly kings faced serious military situations and serious health issues just like the ungodly kings did. The difference is that the godly kings had God's help, and they experienced His miraculous deliverance. In situations far outside their control, their faith in God allowed them to see His mighty power in control. God's blessing doesn't guarantee total bliss, but rather assures of God's help through the problems.

The Old Testament was written for admonition and encouragement; the principles of God's interactions, revealed repeatedly in Scripture, remain true today. God wants to bless obedience and promises to punish disobedience. Historically, many Christians and unbelievers have focused on the angry, judgmental side of God, even using II Chronicles as proof. These stories actually heighten and enhance the understanding of God as loving, gracious, merciful, kind, longsuffering, and gentle. If God were primarily angry and looking for a reason to send judgment, He has failed to take advantage of innumerable opportunities. Instead His love has made Him longsuffering and merciful, demonstrated as He repeatedly delays judgment, offers reconciliation, and seeks restoration.

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." (Psalm 103:13-14 NASB)