The Lord of the Kings
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Autumn 2018 Book 2 The Lord of the Kings Home Bible Studies Evangelical Free Church of Green Valley Coordinated with messages by Pastor Steve LoVellette Lessons prepared by Dave McCracken Table of Contents Book 1 Date King Scripture Topic Page Oct. 7 Rehoboam 1 Kings 12:1-24 The King Acts Foolishly 1 Oct. 14 Asa 2 Chron. 14-16 The King Reforms 5 Oct. 21 Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 17 A Good Reign 9 Oct. 28 Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 18 Unwise Advice 13 Book 2 Nov. 4 Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 19 Reforms Instituted 1 Nov. 11 Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 20 Fervent & Effective Prayer 5 Nov. 18 Joash 2 Chronicles 23-24 Worship is Restored 9 Nov. 25 Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:1-22 Pride Precedes Fall 13 Book 3 Dec. 2 Hezekiah 2 Kings 18:1-19:7 Reliance upon God 1 Dec. 9 Hezekiah 2 Kings 20 Treasures Revealed 5 Dec. 16 Manassah 2 Chronicles 33 An Evil King Repents 9 The main responsibility of the kings was the maintenance of righteousness (Isaiah 11:1-4, Jeremiah 33:15). They possessed the law. They had the duty to act as judge, preserve justice, and proclaim the law. Many of the kings were wicked themselves and encouraged injustice and wickedness to flourish. It was the prophets that provided a check upon the waywardness of the kings. The failure of the kings to live up to the ideal tended to cast the hope for a righteous ruler more and more into the future. This became known as the messianic hope. This messianic hope was fulfilled only in Jesus Christ. The gospel of the the kingdom of God means that people are given an opportunity to receive the kingdom by repentance and faith. This is achieved through Christ, the Messiah-King, to whom every knee must bow, whether in willing loyalty or under judgment. ii The Lord of the Kings Lesson 5, November 4, 2018 2 Chronicles 19 Reforms Instituted Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes. 2 Chronicles 19:7 1. Read 2 Chronicles 19:1-3. What was the concern of the man of God when King Jehoshaphat returned home from his harrowing experience? How did the Lord view what King Jehoshaphat had done? What good is King Jehoshaphat commended for? Judge – to decide if something is good or bad; to condemn. Psalm 9:8 – (of God) He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. Matthew 7:1 – Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. 2 Timothy 4:1 – And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus – who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom. 2. Read Exodus 18:13-26. What was the concern the father-in-law of Moses had? How did Moses justify his actions? 3. What advice did Moses father-in-law give? What qualifications did he suggest for those who would judge? 4. What would be the result for Moses? How did Moses respond to his father-in-law’s advice? 5. Read 2 Chronicles 19:4-7. Why did King Jehoshaphat travel throughout the land? With what message did he encourage the people? -1- 6. Whom did he appoint? What important message did he communicate to them? Whom is the judge to please above all? 7. Verse 7 is an important one. What are the judges to do? What does the Lord not tolerate? 8. Read Deuteronomy 16:18-22. Who are to be appointed? What are they to do? . not do? What is to prevail? What must never be done? 9 . What is “righteous judgment”? How can one judge as God would judge? What attitudes must we have when we judge with integrity? Discuss. 10. Read Isaiah 10:1-4. What is the outcome for unjust judges? What are the examples of their being unjust? Can they expect the Lord to help them in times of trouble? If Lucy were our judge 11. Read Psalm 103:1-6, Isaiah 30:18 and Isaiah 61:8. How should we relate to the Lord? What are we to always remember? What does He do for us? What is provided to those who are treated unfairly? -2- 12. Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. What is the duty of everyone? Who is to be our judge? Can we keep a secret from Him? 13. Read 1 Peter 1:17. We should live in reverent fear of whom? Why? Does He have favorites? 14. Read 2 Chronicles 19:8-10. For what types of cases were judges appointed? What instructions were given to the judges? What were the judges to warn the people against? How were they to prevent guilt from falling on them? 15. Read 2 Chronicles 19:11. The cases to be heard were to be divided into what two areas? Who is to assist to insure justice is served? 16. What trait should the judges have as they fulfill their duties? Who is to help them do what is right? 17. What, from this lesson, can we apply to our lives today? To whom are we responsible? -3- -4- The Lord of the Kings Lesson 6, November 11, 2018 2 Chronicles 20 Fervent & Effective Prayer After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” 2 Chron. 20:21 Many Christians are not prepared spiritually for the attacks of the enemy. Remember the 1965 title bout between the Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali and the man he defeated for the title, Sonny Liston a year earlier. Ali knocked Liston out in the first round with a right cross to his left temple that he never saw coming. Ali’s punch was unexpected, unforeseen and not anticipated – by anyone who was watching the fight. But here’s the key: Ali was looking for an opportunity to throw that particular punch. He had studied Liston’s fighting style and how he anticipated punches. Satan, is just like Muhammad Ali. He studies us. He looks for weaknesses. He looks for vulnerabilities. Then he decides on a plan of attack. And often, just like Muhammad Ali, he lands the unexpected, unforeseen and unanticipated punch that has the spiritual f orce to take us out. How we respond to the unexpected is determined by how we’ve prepared ourselves in advanced. We know we have an adversary who walks about seeking people to devour. (1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7) When we’re not prepared, he is “Johnny-on-the-spot ready” to devour us. But when we are prepared, we respond in such a way that opens up the floodgates of heaven so God can move on our behalf. 1. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-4. What war was facing Jehoshaphat? To whom did he turn for guidance? What did he order everyone to do? For what purpose did many people come to Jerusalem? 2. Read 2 Chronicles 20:5-9. Discuss the elements of Jehoshaphat’s public prayer. Note the praise, the petitions and the arguments presented to the Lord. 3. Read 2 Chronicles 20:10-12. What points does Jehoshaphat continue to make in his prayer? Whose land are the people of Judah living in? Is Jehoshaphat trying to solve the problem himself or totally relying on the Lord? -5- 4. Read 2 Chronicles 20:13-15. In what way was the Spirit of the Lord manifested? What message did Jahaziel communicate to Jehoshaphat? 5. How might we respond to difficult situations when we are afraid? . .when we are discouraged? Are we willing to turn things over to the Lord and wait for His solution? Discuss. 6. Read 2 Chronicles 20:16-17. What are the people to do on the morrow? Why are the people supposed to stand still and watch? What is the promise communicated to the people? 7. Read 2 Chronicles 20:18-19. How did the people express their worship? 8. Read 2 Chronicles 20:20-23. How did Jehoshaphat challenge the people? Who did the king appoint? What did they do? For what did they praise the Lord? What words were sung? 9. What did the Lord cause the enemy armies to do? What was the result? 10. Read 2 Chronicles 20:24-26. What did the army of Judah see from the lookout point? What did they do for three days? What did they name the valley? Why? 11. Read 2 Chronicles 20:27-30. What was the attitude of the people? What musical instruments were played? Where did they go? How did the surrounding kingdoms react? What had God given to Judah? -6- 12. Read 2 Chronicles 20:31-34. For how long did Jehoshaphat reign? He is he described? How was his relationship with the Lord described? 13. What did he fail to do? What was the problem with the people of the kingdom? 14. What should be our present response to the descriptions of Judah in questions 12 & 13? Do we do only what is pleasing in the sight of the Lord? Do we have other idols getting priority over our commitment to the Lord? Discuss. 15. Read 2 Chronicles 20:35-37. With whom did Jehoshaphat make an alliance near the end of his reign? How is the person described? What did they build? What was the message of the prophet concerning this? What happened to the project? 16.