Opening Up 2 Chronicles
Overview
The Opening Up Commentary Collection offers accessible and easy-to-read introductions to the books of the Bible. The commentaries tackle the key issues in each book by introducing the history and context and by giving an overview of important themes and events. The authors wrestle with the hard questions and navigate through the difficult issues, with a keen eye toward application and relevance for today.
The book of 2 Chronicles carries on where 1 Chronicles left off. We start with a conducted tour of Solomon's kingdom. Then we visit the kingdom of Judah's royal portrait gallery, seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly. At times we are confronted with what is unattractive in our own lives. Along the way we learn lessons about the importance of wisdom, the priority and practice of prayer, and the utter reliability of the Lord. All the kings had their strengths and weaknesses, their good moments and bad—and so do we. Thankfully, our God has only strengths, and he doesn't change. If a fresh grasp of our own frailties causes us to "seek the Lord and his strength," the chronicler will have done his job.
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- Discussion questions for further reflection and study
- Contains study guides, maps, and timelines
- Resource for students, pastors, and general readers
Top Highlights
“True turning from sin has three aspects: past, present and future. Turning from sin in the past will be shown by real sadness, regretting what happened. Present turning from sin is an actual renouncing of (or rejecting) the particular sin in question with all of our being; not at some other time, but right now. Then, as we think about the future, we will be resolving to steer clear of the sin in the future. That will involve plans to avoid situations where temptation may strike and a determination to look out for warning signs in our own hearts and circumstances, so that we can be spiritually ‘on our toes’.” (Page 36)
“Answered prayer should always lead to praise, but what is remarkable about this incident is that praise follows the promise of an answer. Praise precedes the actual answer, because the promise is believed. How else should we respond to the promise of a promise-keeping God, but with faith? Jehoshaphat encourages the people to believe, and faith is able to transform the most unlikely of places into a ‘Valley of Blessing’ (20:26; see marginal note). Then blessing leads to joy … which leads to quiet … which leads to rest (vv. 27–30).” (Pages 68–69)
“Scripture multiplies blessings to the humble: they will be saved (2 Sam. 22:28); led and taught (Ps. 25:9); lifted up (Ps. 147:6); looked to (Isa. 66:2); and given grace (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). On the other hand, there are many warnings for the proud.” (Page 33)
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you’ (Ps. 56:3” (Page 67)
“I can’t remember where I found it, but my favourite definition of pride is ‘an inflated opinion of ourselves that we expect others to share’. We all need to learn the art of cutting ourselves down to size. True humility is not having a deflated but an accurate opinion of ourselves. And that doesn’t mean accurate in comparison with others, but in comparison with God’s standards.” (Page 32)
If you are reading 2 Chronicles and Andrew Thomson's exposition as you do so, you will say, 'My, how immensely practical 2 Chronicles is—I must dig into it even more!' And at that point you will, I suspect, have fallen into Mr. Thomson's trap. He 'opens up' 2 Chronicles so that you will 'fall in'!
—Dale Ralph Davis, former Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary
What Andrew Thomson did for the twenty-nine chapters of 1 Chronicles, he has done again for the thirty-six chapters of 2 Chronicles. He has skillfully picked out the important teaching of 2 Chronicles and shown how God's care of his people continues, despite their unfaithfulness. Very easy to read, the book is crammed full of Scripture and included many helpful, up-to-date illustrations.
—Michael Bentley, retired evangelical pastor, Bracknell, UK
- Title: Opening Up 2 Chronicles
- Author: Andrew Thomson
- Publisher: Day One
- Publication Date: 2011
- Pages: 128