One thing is typical, one thing is not. As for the former, I list the things I found noteworthy in the text, but as for the latter, I follow each note with some questions. I would love to hear some interaction:
- 26:5- As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. Do you think the same principle applies today? Does God prosper those who seek Him? In what ways (financially, militarily, with physical health, emotional health, or….)?
- 26:16- But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. Does this same principle apply today? Does God punish the proud? Do the proud punish themselves?
- 26:19- A leprous breakout occurs. It stays with him until death. Can God inflict people with sickness today, due to their sin? How much do you think illness is related to sin?
- Reading 1 & 2 Chronicles, you’ll notice that the kings and great men are always summarized by their wealth, their war victories, the size of their armies, the size of their families, and their loyalty or disloyalty to the Lord. Is life summed up any differently today?
- 27:6- Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God. See questions at 26:5.
- 28– The whole chapter is just ugly and depressing. Ahaz was terrible, even worse, he caused everyone else to be terrible. When sin is judged, what is the balance between blaming an individual and blaming a national leader? Do you think national leaders should ever be blamed for the immorality of a country, even if they don’t perform the acts themselves?
Omer Redden 