Daniel 4

[JLG]

19) Looking for Isaiah

Isaiah 1:29

- Can they be ashamed of their spiritual prostitution!

- Once you get corrupted!

- It is difficult to leave it for righteousness!

- Especially when you have been doing it all your life!

- That's what human history tells us!

- Paul was an exception but he was told by Jesus in a vision!

- But when you think of the apostles, they needed to be told again and again!

- And when everything is corrupted, it is even worse!

 

[JLG]

20) Looking for isaiah

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Uzziah
Uzziah, also spelled Ozias, also called Azariah, orAzarias, in the Old Testament (2 Chronicles 26), son and successor of Amaziah, and king of Judah for 52 years (c. 791–739 BC). Assyrian records indicate that Uzziah reigned for 42 years (c. 783–742). His reign marked the height of Judah’s power. He fought successfully against other nations and exacted tribute from the Ammonites. Judah expanded westward with settlements in Philistia. During the period of Uzziah’s reign, the nation prospered, and desert areas were reclaimed by water conservation. Jerusalem’s walls were reconstructed, towers were added, and engines of war were mounted at strategic points. A large army was also maintained. The nation’s prosperity under Uzziah was considered to have been a result of the king’s fidelity to Yahweh. According to the biblical record, Uzziah’s strength caused him to become proud, which led to his destruction. He attempted to burn incense in the Temple, an act restricted to priests. When the priests attempted to send him from the Temple, the king became angry and was immediately stricken with leprosy. His son Jotham ruled for his father until Uzziah died.

 

[JLG]

21) Looking for Isaiah

https://salvationcall.com/jotham/

Father: King Uzziah, 2 Chronicles 26:23

Mother: Jerushah, 2 Chronicles 27:1

Predecessor: King Uzziah, 2 Chronicles 26:23

Succession: 11th king

Length of reign: 16 years, 2 Chronicles 27:1

Successor: King Ahaz, 2 Chronicles 27:9

Age when made king: 25 years, 2 Chronicles 27:1

Age when he died: 41

Kingdom: Kingdom of Judah

Reign: 742 BC – 735 BC

Morality: good, 2 Chronicles 27:2

Biblical history: 2 Chronicles 27:1–9; 2 Kings 15:32–37

In the second year of Pekah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of King Uzziah began to reign. King Jotham was 25 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. And he did that which was right in the sight of God, just like his father King Uzziah. However, King Jotham never entered the Temple of Solomon because of what happened to his father King Uzziah. At the height of his power, King Uzziah became proud of his own destruction. King Uzziah transgressed against the LORD God; that is, he took matters into his own hands and went into the temple of God to burn incense upon the altar of incense – something that only the priests are supposed to do. Though the priests tried to stop him from this transgression King Uzziah would not listen, rather he took offense at the priest. And the Lord struck King Uzziah with leprosy right in the temple in the presence of the priests, and the king hurried out of the temple. So King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death. His son King Jotham learned a lesson from what happened to his father. However, he also misinterpreted what befell his father into fear and pessimism about his going to the house of the Lord. Therefore, he never entered the house of the Lord throughout his reign. Jotham took over from his father too early; since the time his father became leprous, he had been over the administration of the kingdom, judging the people of the land. Though King Jotham himself was a good king, it is reported in the Bible that the people of the Kingdom of Judah still followed corrupt practices. At the age of 41 years, King Jotham died and was buried in Jerusalem. His son Ahaz became king after him.

Achievements of King Jotham

King Jotham built the high gate of the Temple of Solomon, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. 2 Chronicles 27:3
King Jotham built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. 2 Chronicles 27:4
King Jotham fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And that year, the Ammonites gave him 100 talents of silver, and 10,000 measures of wheat, and 10,000 of barley. The Ammonites paid him the same amount in the second and the third years. So Jotham became mighty, because he was a pious king. 2 Chronicles 27:5, 6.
Major events during the reign of King Jotham
King Jotham fought a war against the Ammonites and prevailed. Then he made them pay heavy tribute to him yearly.

King Jotham’s relationship with his contemporaries

There was enmity between Jotham and the king of Ammon, whose real name was not mentioned. King Jotham fought against him and prevailed. Jotham became king in the 2nd year of King Pekah of Israel, but King Pekah outlived Jotham into the reign of Jotham’s son, King Ahaz. Rezin was king of Syria in Jotham’s time. King Pekah and King Rezin became allies against King Jotham, for the Bible testifies that during the reign of King Jotham, God began to send King Rezin and King Pekah against the Kingdom of Judah for war (2 Kings 15:37). However, King Jotham never fought a war against these two kings. It appears that during the reign of King Jotham, the animosity and the tendency of war between the allies and King Jotham was heightening, but it did not get to where they would fight a war. King Jotham’s son King Ahaz came to fight the allies. Categories to which King Jotham belongs. He is counted among kings who peacefully took power from their predecessors. He is counted amongst kings who died of natural causes, not by assassination. He is counted among the kings who did right in the sight of the Lord.

 

[JLG]

22) Looking for Isaiah

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ahaz

Ahaz, also spelled Achaz, Assyrian Jehoahaz, (flourished 8th century BC), king of Judah (c. 735–720 BC) who became an Assyrian vassal (2 Kings 16; Isaiah 7–8). Ahaz assumed the throne of Judah at the age of 20 or 25. Sometime later his kingdom was invaded by Pekah, king of Israel, and Rezin, king of Syria, in an effort to force him into an alliance with them against the powerful state of Assyria. Acting against the counsel of the prophet Isaiah, Ahaz appealed for aid to Tiglath-pileser III, king of Assyria, to repel the invaders. Assyria defeated Syria and Israel, and Ahaz presented himself as a vassal to the Assyrian king. Not only was Judah’s political situation unimproved but Assyria exacted a heavy tribute and Assyrian gods were introduced into the Temple at Jerusalem.

 

[JLG]

23) Looking for isaiah

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hezekiah

Hezekiah, Hebrew Ḥizqiyya, Greek Ezekias, (flourished late 8th and early 7th centuries BC), son of Ahaz, and the 13th successor of David as king of Judah at Jerusalem. The dates of his reign are often given as about 715 to about 686 BC, but inconsistencies in biblical and Assyrian cuneiform records have yielded a wide range of possible dates. Hezekiah reigned at a time when the Assyrian empire was consolidating its control of Palestine and Syria. His father had placed Judah under Assyrian suzerainty in 735 BC. Hezekiah may have taken part in a rebellion against King Sargon II of Assyria (reigned 721–705 BC), which the Assyrians apparently crushed in the year 710. At the accession of Sennacherib (705–681 BC), further rebellions broke out all over the Assyrian empire. Hezekiah may have been the leader of the rebellion in Palestine, which included the city-states of Ascalon and Ekron and gained the support of Egypt. In preparing for the inevitable Assyrian campaign to retake Palestine, Hezekiah strengthened the defenses of his capital, Jerusalem, and dug out the famous Siloam tunnel (2 Kings 20:20, 2 Chronicles 32:30), which brought the water of the Gihon springs to a reservoir inside the city wall. Sennacherib finally put down the rebellion in 701 BC, overrunning Judah, taking 46 of its walled cities, and placing much conquered Judaean territory under the control of neighboring states. While Sennacherib was besieging the city of Lachish, Hezekiah sought to spare Jerusalem itself from capture by paying a heavy tribute of gold and silver to the Assyrian king, who nevertheless demanded the city’s unconditional surrender. At this point Jerusalem was saved by a miraculous plague that decimated the Assyrian army. This event gave rise to the belief in Judah that Jerusalem was inviolable, a belief that lasted until the city fell to the Babylonians a century later. Contradictory dates for Sennacherib’s invasion are given in the Book of Kings, and he may possibly have invaded Judah a second time near the close of Hezekiah’s reign. In his religious reforms, Hezekiah asserted Judah’s inherited Hebrew traditions and practices against imported cults of the Assyrian gods. He thus tried to achieve both political and religious independence for Judah, but the catastrophe of 701 BC left among his people an unmistakable yearning for an ideal king who would restore the golden age of David.

- As we can see, Uzziah ended badly!

- When Jotham was king, people followed corrupt practices!

- Ahaz didn't listen to Isaiah and looked for Assyria's help instead of God!

- Assyrian gods were introduced into the temple at Jerusalem during Ahaz's reign!

- Hezekiah was defeated by Assyria!

- We can see how corruption penetrates everywhere!

- Same with mankind!

- And people get used to it!

- It becomes normal!

- They get away from God!

- Today they speak about modernity!

- In the past they probably said the same!

- But instead of modernity we should say corruption!

- It started after Jesus' death!

- It kept growing with the apostles' death!

- Imagine how it is today!

 

[JLG]

24) Looking for Isaiah

- To understand better what was going on with these four kings of Judah, we have to go back to 2 Chronicles!

- In 2 Chronicles 26, we are told about Uzziah starting verse 16:

But when [Uzziah] grew powerful,
וּכְחֶזְקָת֗ו (ū·ḵə·ḥez·qā·ṯōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2393: Prevailing power

his arrogance גָּבַ֤הּ (gā·ḇah) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1361: To soar, be lofty, to be haughty

led to his own destruction. לְהַשְׁחִ֔ית (lə·haš·ḥîṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

He was unfaithful וַיִּמְעַ֖ל (way·yim·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously

to the LORD בַּיהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

his God, אֱלֹהָ֑יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for he entered וַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the temple הֵיכַ֣ל (hê·ḵal) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple of the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to burn incense לְהַקְטִ֖יר (lə·haq·ṭîr) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the altar מִזְבַּ֥ח (miz·baḥ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4196: An altar

of incense. הַקְּטֹֽרֶת׃ (haq·qə·ṭō·reṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7004: Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense

- Powerful / arrogance / own destruction / unfaithful

- And he is supposed to be a righteous king!

- Apparently he didn't understand anything!

- Power corrupts all humans without exceptions!

- You can't find any king who stays faithful till his death!

 

[JLG]

25) Looking for Isaiah

2 Chronicles 26:17

Then Azariah עֲזַרְיָ֣הוּ (‘ă·zar·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5838: Azariah -- 'Yah has helped', the name of a number of Israelites

the priest, הַכֹּהֵ֑ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest

along with וְעִמּ֞וֹ (wə·‘im·mōw) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with

eighty שְׁמוֹנִ֖ים (šə·mō·w·nîm) Number - common plural Strong's 8084: Eighty, eightieth

brave חָֽיִל׃ (ḥā·yil) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

priests כֹּהֲנִ֧ים ׀ (kō·hă·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest

of the LORD, לַיהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

went in וַיָּבֹ֥א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

after him. אַחֲרָ֖יו (’a·ḥă·rāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 310: The hind or following part

- On the one hand, Uzziah: Powerful / arrogance / own destruction / unfaithful

- On the other hand, 80 courageous priests oppose him!

- Uzziah is supposed to be a righteous king!

- Quite strange because he knew he couldn't mix politics and religion but he did!

- Away from reality!

- That's the problem when you get used to doing things you know you mustn't!

- Gradually it becomes normal!

- That's the principle of corruption!

- Once you start you can't stop!

- You get deeper and deeper!

- And you become your own shadow!

- The priests, on the contrary, knew what they were doing!

- They were connected to reality!

- They stuck to what they were!

- And they were on God's side!

 

[JLG]

26) Looking for Isaiah
2 Chronicles 26:18

They took their stand וַיַּעַמְד֞וּ (way·ya·‘am·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against King הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king

Uzziah עֻזִּיָּ֣הוּ (‘uz·zî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5818: Uzziah -- 'my strength is Yah', the name of several Israelites

and said, וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Uzziah, עֻזִּיָּ֗הוּ (‘uz·zî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5818: Uzziah -- 'my strength is Yah', the name of several Israelites

you have no לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no

right to offer incense לְהַקְטִיר֙ (lə·haq·ṭîr) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

to the LORD. לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Only כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the priests, לַכֹּהֲנִ֧ים (lak·kō·hă·nîm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest

the descendants בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son

of Aaron, אַהֲרֹ֛ן (’a·hă·rōn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

are consecrated הַמְקֻדָּשִׁ֖ים (ham·qud·dā·šîm) Article | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

to burn incense. לְהַקְטִ֑יר (lə·haq·ṭîr) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

Leave צֵ֤א (ṣê) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

the sanctuary, הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙ (ham·miq·dāš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4720: A consecrated thing, place, a palace, sanctuary, asylum

for כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you have acted unfaithfully; מָעַ֔לְתָּ (mā·‘al·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously

you will not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no

receive honor לְכָב֖וֹד (lə·ḵā·ḇō·wḏ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the LORD מֵיְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

God.� אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

- The priests tell the king he can't do that!

- And they give him the reason!

- And they tell him to leave the temple!

- And they tell him he has acted against God!

- Thus there will be consequences!

 

[JLG]

27) Looking for Isaiah

2 Chronicles 26:19

Uzziah, עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ (‘uz·zî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5818: Uzziah -- 'my strength is Yah', the name of several Israelites

with a censer מִקְטֶ֖רֶת (miq·ṭe·reṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4730: Something to fume, in, a coal-pan

in his hand וּבְיָד֥וֹ (ū·ḇə·yā·ḏōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand

to offer incense, לְהַקְטִ֑יר (lə·haq·ṭîr) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

was enraged. וַיִּזְעַף֙ (way·yiz·‘ap̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2196: To boil up, to be peevish, angry

But while he raged וּבְזַעְפּ֣וֹ (ū·ḇə·za‘·pōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2196: To boil up, to be peevish, angry

against עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the priests הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest

in their presence לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face

in the house בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

before מֵעַ֖ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the altar לְמִזְבַּ֥ח (lə·miz·baḥ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4196: An altar

of incense, הַקְּטֹֽרֶת׃ (haq·qə·ṭō·reṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7004: Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense

leprosy וְ֠הַצָּרַעַת (wə·haṣ·ṣā·ra·‘aṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6883: Leprosy

broke out זָרְחָ֨ה (zā·rə·ḥāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2224: To irradiate, to rise, to appear

on his forehead. בְמִצְח֜וֹ (ḇə·miṣ·ḥōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4696: Brow, forehead

- Uzziah's attitude is nothing new!

- He gets angry at the priests!

- And all at once he is struck by God with leprosy!

- That's what we call a righteous man!

- Think about Job, Daniel, Samuel, Abraham, Moses and others!

- He is only a king!

- Proud of himself!

- His mind is corrupted like others!

 

[JLG]

28) Looking for isaiah

- What about Jotham?

- Let's have a look at 2 Chronicles 27:2

And he did וַיַּ֨עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make

[what was] right הַיָּשָׁ֜ר (hay·yā·šār) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3477: Straight, right

in the eyes בְּעֵינֵ֣י (bə·‘ê·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the LORD, יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

just as כְּכֹ֤ל (kə·ḵōl) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his father אָבִ֔יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father

Uzziah עֻזִּיָּ֣הוּ (‘uz·zî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5818: Uzziah -- 'my strength is Yah', the name of several Israelites

had done. עָשָׂה֙ (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make

In addition, רַ֕ק (raq) Adverb Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

he did not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no

enter בָ֖א (ḇā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the temple הֵיכַ֣ל (hê·ḵal) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

of the LORD. יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

But the people הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

still וְע֥וֹד (wə·‘ō·wḏ) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

behaved corruptly. מַשְׁחִיתִֽים׃ (maš·ḥî·ṯîm) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

- On the one hand, we get a righteous king!

- On the other hand, we get corrupt people!

- So there is corruption as usual!

- A mixture of bad and good or good and bad!

- At the end everything gets corrupted!

- What does Jotham do to fight corruption?

 

[JLG]

29) Looking for Isaiah

2 Chronicles 27:6

So Jotham יוֹתָ֑ם (yō·w·ṯām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3147: Jotham -- 'the LORD is perfect', three Israelites

grew powerful וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֖ק (way·yiṯ·ḥaz·zêq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

because כִּ֚י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he ordered הֵכִ֣ין (hê·ḵîn) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3559: To be erect

his ways דְּרָכָ֔יו (də·rā·ḵāw) Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

before לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH

his God. אֱלֹהָֽיו׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

- Apparently Jotham is successful because he follows God's ways!

- The question is does he do it from beginning to the end of his reign?

- Moreover, he is supposed to be the king!

- And his people are corrupt!

- Thus we may discuss the kind of righteousness!

- We know that with Israel and Judah righteousness is always relative!

 

[JLG]

30) Looking for Isaiah

- 2 Chronicles Chapter 26: this chapter about Uzziah's life contains 23 verses!

- 2 Chronicles 27: this chapter about Jotham's life contains 9 verses!

- Only 9 verses for a supposed righteous king!

- When we are told that his people are corrupt, it makes everything relative!

- What a leader who is supposed to be righteous and who doesn't do anything to reduce corruption!

 

[JLG]

31) Looking for isaiah

2 Chronicles 28:1

Ahaz אָחָ֣ז (’ā·ḥāz) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 271: Ahaz -- 'he has grasped', two Israelites

was twenty עֶשְׂרִ֤ים (‘eś·rîm) Number - common plural Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

years old בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son

when he became king, בְּמָלְכ֔וֹ (bə·mā·lə·ḵōw) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

and he reigned מָלַ֖ךְ (mā·laḵ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

in Jerusalem בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (bî·rū·šā·lim) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

sixteen וְשֵׁשׁ־ (wə·šêš-) Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

years. שָׁנָ֔ה (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8141: A year

And unlike David כְּדָוִ֥יד (kə·ḏā·wîḏ) Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

his forefather, אָבִֽיו׃ (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father

he did not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no

do עָשָׂ֧ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make

[what was] right הַיָּשָׁ֛ר (hay·yā·šār) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3477: Straight, right

in the eyes בְּעֵינֵ֥י (bə·‘ê·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the LORD. יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

- It is quite clear from the beginning: Ahaz is a bad king!

- When you take into account that the people are corrupt it is easy to understand!

- If you want to understand something about Israel and Judah you need to think of relativity!

- You must always remember that God made a covenant with them because Abraham was called God's friend!

- That's all!

- Nothing more!

- Of course, we can say the same with mankind!

- The only difference is a covenant which is a big difference!

 

[JLG]

32) Looking for isaiah

2 Chronicles 28:2

Instead, he walked וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in the way בְּדַרְכֵ֖י (bə·ḏar·ḵê) Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of the kings מַלְכֵ֣י (mal·ḵê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his descendants

and even וְגַ֧ם (wə·ḡam) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

made עָשָׂ֖ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make

cast images מַסֵּכ֛וֹת (mas·sê·ḵō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4541: A pouring over, fusion of metal, a libation, league, a coverlet

of the Baals. לַבְּעָלִֽים׃ (lab·bə·‘ā·lîm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god

- Yes, spiritual prostitution!

- An imitation of Israel and other nations!

- We may remember what God told Israel before they entered into the promised land!

- As usual they didn't listen!

- And they got what they deserved!

- Today it is the same!

- We are in such a mess, it is necessary to live it to believe it!

- And tomorrow we will see more and more!

- That's what they call a superior animal!

- What a joke!

- It is the circus!

 

[JLG]

33) Looking for Jeremiah

2 Chronicles 28:3

Moreover, Ahaz וְה֥וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

burned incense הִקְטִ֖יר (hiq·ṭîr) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

in the Valley of Hinnom בְּגֵ֣יא (bə·ḡê) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1516: A valley

and sacrificed וַיַּבְעֵ֤ר (way·yaḇ·‘êr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish

his sons בֶן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son

in the fire, בָּאֵ֔שׁ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire

according to the abominations כְּתֹֽעֲבוֹת֙ (kə·ṯō·‘ă·ḇō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

of the nations הַגּוֹיִ֔ם (hag·gō·w·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

whom אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (ha·šêm) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

had driven out הֹרִ֣ישׁ (hō·rîš) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

before מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê) Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face

the Israelites. בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son

- Here we have a good image of corruption and spiritual prostitution!

- Ahaz sacrificed his children in the fire!

- When you hear that, you know there is no limit to corruption and spiritual prostitution!

- Then you may understand the feelings of God for Israel and Judah!

- So far away from God!

- Human history!

 

[JLG]

34) Looking for Jeremiah

2 Chronicles 28:4

And he sacrificed וַיְזַבֵּ֧חַ (way·zab·bê·aḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

and burned incense וַיְקַטֵּ֛ר (way·qaṭ·ṭêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

on the high places, בַּבָּמ֖וֹת (bab·bā·mō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 1116: An elevation

on וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the hills, הַגְּבָע֑וֹת (hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 1389: A hillock

and under וְתַ֖חַת (wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

green רַעֲנָֽן׃ (ra·‘ă·nān) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7488: Verdant, new, prosperous

tree. עֵ֥ץ (‘êṣ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

- Apparently it goes beyond the limits!

- Should I say exploring the limits?

- Or mastering the limits?

- In a way to provoke God?

- Do you understand why God compares Israel and Judah to Sodom and Gomorrah?

- They tried to compete with the other nations to prostitute themselves!

- Thus you may understand who Moses was and why he was the only one who could prevent God from exterminating Israel twice from the earth!

- The question is: do people really read the Bible?

 

[JLG]

35) Looking for Jeremiah

- In the rest of the Chapter, Ahaz kept acting badly!

- As a consequence, God gave Ahaz in the hand of the king of Syria who defeated him and took many captives!

- God gave him also in the hand of the king of Israel and 120,000 men were killed in one day and took 200,000 captives!

- But they freed them because a prophet of God told them to do so!

- And the Edomites and the Philistines attacked Judah!

- And Assyria attacked Judah too!

- But Ahaz acted more unfaithfully toward God!

- He sacrificed to the God of Damascus!

- And he kept worshiping other gods in all the cities of Judah meaning the population did the same!

 

[JLG]

36) Looking for Isaiah

- In Chapter 29, we are told about Hezekiah!

- He did the opposite of his father meaning he followed God!

- 2 Chronicles 29:3

In the first הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן (hā·ri·šō·wn) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

month בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ (ba·ḥō·ḏeš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

of the first הָרִאשׁוֹנָ֨ה (hā·ri·šō·w·nāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

year בַשָּׁנָה֩ (ḇaš·šā·nāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8141: A year

of his reign, לְמָלְכ֜וֹ (lə·mā·lə·ḵōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4427: To reign,
inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel [

Hezekiah] opened פָּתַ֛ח (pā·ṯaḥ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

and repaired וַֽיְחַזְּקֵֽם׃ (way·ḥaz·zə·qêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third
person masculine plural Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

the doors דַּלְת֥וֹת (dal·ṯō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

of the house בֵּית־ (bêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD. יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

- Right at the beginning of his reign, Hezekiah goes to God!

- The situation is impossible in Judah!

- But we remember Ahaz didn't care!

- He kept opposing God!

- So Hezekiah changed radically!

- And the best way to do it is right at the beginning!

- So people could see it and remember it!

 

[JLG]

37) Looking for Isaiah

2 Chronicles 29:4

Then he brought in וַיָּבֵ֥א (way·yā·ḇê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the priests הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest

and Levites הַלְוִיִּ֑ם (hal·wî·yim) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

and gathered them וַיַּֽאַסְפֵ֖ם (way·ya·’as·p̄êm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third
person masculine plural Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

in the square לִרְח֥וֹב (lir·ḥō·wḇ) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza

on the east side. הַמִּזְרָֽח׃ (ham·miz·rāḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4217: Place of sunrise, the east

- And the best way is to address God's priests!

- And there is an emergency!

- The survival of Judah is in question!

- Because Judah left God!

- Thus we can analyze the different steps taken by the king!

 

[JLG]

38) Looking for Isaiah

2 Chronicles 29:5

“Listen to me, שְׁמָע֣וּנִי (šə·mā·‘ū·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | first person common singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

O Levites,” הַלְוִיִּ֑ם (hal·wî·yim) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

he said. וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Consecrate הִֽתְקַדְּשׁ֗וּ (hiṯ·qad·də·šū) Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

yourselves now עַתָּ֣ה (‘at·tāh) Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time

and consecrate וְקַדְּשׁוּ֙ (wə·qad·də·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

the house בֵּ֤ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD, יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of

the God of Israel the God אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of your fathers. אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֔ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1: Father

Remove וְהוֹצִ֥יאוּ (wə·hō·w·ṣî·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the Holy Place הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃ (haq·qō·ḏeš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

every impurity. הַנִּדָּ֖ה (han·nid·dāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5079: Rejection, impurity, personal, moral

- Thus the king tells God's priests to do their jobs!

- And the first thing is to clean the temple from every impurity!

- And there are numerous!

- God's temple is holy!

- As a consequence, nothing can alter such a holiness!