2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 24: The LORD sends prophets to Judah

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Judah forsook the LORD after Jehoiada died, let us pray. Ask God to teach us to listen to His word, and to lead us to Jesus, the Son He sent.

“Hear, my people, and I will testify to you, Israel, if you would listen to me!

Psalm 81:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Thank You that You sent prophets to bring Your people back, and show us Jesus, the Son You sent. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Joash is seven years old when he begins to reign, and he does right in the LORD's eyes while Jehoiada lives. He decides to repair the LORD's house, and the people gladly bring money into a chest. The workmen repair the house and make vessels for it. Jehoiada dies at one hundred thirty years old and is buried among the kings. After his death the princes of Judah persuade Joash, and Judah abandons the LORD's house and serves idols. The LORD sends prophets to bring them back, but they will not listen, and Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, is stoned. Joash is later killed by his own servants.

As you read 2 Chronicles 24, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sent prophets to bring His people back to Him, but they would not listen.

Joash became king at seven, and he did right in the LORD's eyes all the days of Jehoiada (verses 1 and 2). He repaired the LORD's house, which the sons of Athaliah had broken up, and the people gave joyfully (verses 4 to 10). After Jehoiada died, the princes of Judah came to the king, and he listened to them (verses 15 to 17). Then they abandoned the house of the LORD and served the Asherah poles and idols (verse 18). The text says, “Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh” (verse 19). The LORD did not leave His people to their idols without a warning, but the people would not listen (verse 19). The Spirit of God came on Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who said they had forsaken the LORD (verse 20). They stoned him at the king's command in the court of the LORD's house (verse 21). This shows the LORD's patience in the prophets He sent, and His justice when the Syrians came (verses 19 and 24).

How does 2 Chronicles 24 show us that the LORD sent prophets to bring His people back to Him, but they would not listen?

Joash repaired the LORD's house while Jehoiada lived.

Joash did right in the LORD's eyes all the days of Jehoiada (verse 2). He decided to repair the LORD's house, which the sons of Athaliah had broken up (verses 4 and 7). The people brought money gladly and filled a chest (verse 10). The workmen set up God's house as it was designed and strengthened it (verse 13).

After Jehoiada died, Judah forsook the LORD.

Jehoiada died at one hundred thirty and was buried among the kings, for he had done good (verses 15 and 16). The princes of Judah came to the king, and he listened to them (verse 17). They abandoned the house of the LORD and served the Asherah poles and the idols (verse 18). Wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for their guilt (verse 18).

The LORD sent prophets, but Judah would not listen.

The LORD sent prophets to bring them again to Him, and they testified against them (verse 19). The Spirit of God came on Zechariah, who said they had forsaken the LORD, so He had forsaken them (verse 20). They stoned Zechariah at the king's command in the court of the LORD's house (verse 21). Later the Syrians came, because Judah had forsaken the LORD, and Joash's own servants killed him (verses 24 and 25).

Jesus is the Son whom God sent after the prophets.

Jesus told of an owner who sent servants to his vineyard, and then sent his son (Matthew 21 verses 34 to 37). Hebrews says God spoke by the prophets, and in these last days by His Son (Hebrews 1 verses 1 and 2). The prophets were not heard, and the Son came to bring sinners back to God.

Memorise

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh, and they testified against them; but they would not listen.

2 Chronicles 24:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I listen to the Son whom God sent, and turn from my sin?

“Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh,” but the people would not listen. They stoned Zechariah, who spoke to them. Jesus told of an owner who sent servants to his vineyard, and then sent his son (Matthew 21 verses 34 to 37).

After the prophets, God sent His own Son. People did not listen to Him either, and they killed Him. At the cross Jesus gave His life for His sheep, and His one sacrifice paid for their sin fully. God raised Him up.

So listen to Him today. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven, and will be brought back to God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sent prophets to bring Judah back, and that God has now spoken by His Son. Parents, verses 20 to 25 tell of a prophet stoned and a king killed, so please explain them gently and briefly. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He sent His Son to bring sinners back, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.

Hebrews 1:1-2

Father, thank You that You sent prophets and then Your own Son. Thank You for Jesus, who gave His life for sinners and rose again. Please help each of us to listen to Him, turn from sin and trust Him. Amen.