2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 28: Oded warns and captives go home

Begin in prayer

Before we open 2 Chronicles 28, a hard chapter, let us pray. Ask God to show us how serious sin is, and to lead us to Jesus, who shows mercy to His enemies.

Turn us again, Yahweh God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved.

Psalm 80:19

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us how serious sin is, and show us Jesus, who shows mercy to sinners. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ahaz becomes king at twenty, and he does not do right in the LORD's eyes. He makes images for the Baals and burns his children in the fire, as the nations did. The LORD delivers him into the hand of Syria and Israel, and Israel's army carries off two hundred thousand captives of Judah. A prophet of the LORD named Oded meets the army at Samaria and tells them to send the captives back. Some leaders of Ephraim stand with him, and the armed men leave the captives. The leaders clothe and feed the captives and bring them to Jericho. Ahaz, in his distress, turns to Assyria and the gods of Damascus.

As you read 2 Chronicles 28, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

A prophet of the LORD warned Israel's army, and the captives of Judah were fed, clothed and taken home.

Ahaz made images for the Baals and burned his children in the fire (verses 2 and 3). So the LORD delivered him to the kings of Syria and Israel, because Judah had forsaken Him (verses 5 and 6). Israel's army carried off two hundred thousand of their brothers from Judah, women and children among them (verse 8). A prophet of the LORD named Oded met the army and told them to send the captives back (verses 9 to 11). He said their rage had reached heaven, and that they had sins of their own (verses 9 and 10). That was a hard word, and some heads of Ephraim stood with him (verses 12 and 13). The armed men left the captives, and the leaders clothed them, fed them, and brought them to Jericho (verses 14 and 15). Meanwhile Ahaz, in his distress, trespassed yet more against the LORD and shut the doors of His house (verses 22 and 24). This shows that the LORD's word can stop cruelty, and that a prophet's warning can lead to mercy.

How does 2 Chronicles 28 show us that a prophet of the LORD warned Israel's army, and the captives of Judah were fed, clothed and taken home?

Ahaz turned from the LORD, and Judah was brought low.

Ahaz made images for the Baals and burned incense in the high places (verses 2 to 4). The LORD delivered him into the hand of the kings of Syria and Israel (verse 5). The text says the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz, who trespassed severely against Him (verse 19). Even in his distress, Ahaz trespassed yet more against the LORD (verse 22).

Oded told Israel's army to send the captives back.

A prophet of the LORD named Oded went out to meet the army that came to Samaria (verse 9). He said their rage had reached up to heaven (verse 9). He asked whether they had trespasses of their own against the LORD (verse 10). He told them to send the captives back, for the fierce wrath of the LORD was on them (verse 11).

The captives were clothed, fed and carried home.

Some leaders of Ephraim stood up against those who came from the war (verses 12 and 13). The armed men left the captives and the plunder (verse 14). The leaders clothed the naked, gave them sandals, food and drink, and anointed them (verse 15). They carried the feeble on donkeys and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees (verse 15).

Jesus showed mercy to sinners who were His enemies.

Paul says that those who were God's enemies were reconciled to Him by the death of His Son (Romans 5 verse 10). Matthew says Jesus was moved with compassion for the crowds, who were like sheep with no shepherd (Matthew 9 verse 36). The captives were fed and clothed by those who had been enemies, and Jesus brings mercy to His enemies by His death.

Memorise

Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives that you have taken captive from your brothers, for the fierce wrath of Yahweh is on you.

2 Chronicles 28:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, I have sinned against God, so will I ask Jesus for mercy?

The captives of Judah were clothed, fed and carried home by their enemies. Jesus showed mercy to sinners who were His enemies. Paul says that those who were God's enemies were reconciled to Him by the death of His Son (Romans 5 verse 10).

Our sin has taken us captive, and no one can break that chain by himself. Jesus went to the cross for His people, and He paid their ransom with His own life. That ransom was enough for all His people. God raised Him from the dead, and He sets His people free.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven, and set free from sin's captivity.

Parent's note

Tell your children that a prophet of the LORD warned Israel's army, and that Jesus shows mercy to sinners. Parents, verse 3 tells of Ahaz burning his children, and verses 6 and 8 tell of killing, so please tell these gently. 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 shows mercy to His enemies, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh and the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has given to us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

Isaiah 63:7

Father, thank You for Your mercy to those who deserved Your wrath. Thank You for Jesus, who died to set sinners free and rose again. Please set each of us free from sin as we trust Him. Amen.