In the Lord’s Sight

Yahweh wanted to be King of His people and make a place for them. They rejected Him, and He warned them. He gave them what they wanted, and they became enslaved like everyone else. In 1 & 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, people are faced with choices. Would they continue to reject the Lord and create their own high places of worship, or return to the Lord and His rightful place of worship? Would they do what was right IN THE LORD'S SIGHT as written in His word, or what was evil IN THE LORD'S SIGHT that seemed to work in the world? We face the same choices today...IN THE LORD'S SIGHT. #1kings #2kings #2chronicles #2023

Starter

• Tell about a time when you refused to listen. Why? What were you convinced of instead? What did God teach you in this?

Pray

Lord we thank You that You see all things. Help us to trust your plan for this world now, the world that you are currently building, and the new world you will bring when You return. As we look at the Kings of Your people and your people’s response from ages past, help us to see you and see ourselves. May we strive to understand our standing in Your sight as our King. May we long for the day when we will stand with all your people In the Lord’s Sight. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. Thank you that you are the King, and you are building your kingdom to come where your will will be done. May it not be said of us and our church The People Would Not Listen. Amen.

Study Questions

God had made a people of His own from Abraham. He had delivered them from slavery, subdued their enemies, and had brought them into the land that he promised them. However, because of their unwillingness to listen to God, his prophets, and his judges they asked for a king. God wanted to be their King. However, they rejected The Lord as King because they wanted an earthly King and earthly benefits now like all the other people of the earth seemed to have.

They thought an earthly king could do for them and provide for them what only God could. For 430 years, God allowed his people to experience the reality of rejecting Him as King and pursuing what they wanted in an earthly King. Thankfully in our King Jesus, the gift of His word, the power of His Holy Spirit, and the encouragement of His body the church we can be The People who Will Listen.

READ 2 Kings 10:11, 28-32, 11:21-12:16, 2 Chronicles 23:16-18, 2 Chronicles 24:15-16

1. In the the northern kingdom of Israel, how were the leaders (Jehu, Jehoahaz) and the people listening and not listening in these passages?
2. In the southern kingdom of Judah, how were the leaders (Joash, Jehoiada) and the people listening and not listening in these passages?
3. How can these passages help us to tell where our hearts are or are not listening?
4. How can we tell from these passages that Jehoiada was listening to God?
   1. The people listened and gave. The tithe (the first 10% of things) was only enough to get the house of the Lord back up and running. To make the repairs, what had to be done?
      1. Our hearts are the new temple of God for the Holy Spirit. The gathered priesthood of believers called the church under specific surrendered shepherds are the new covenant centerpiece of Spirit and truth worship. It is no longer a specific earthly place or building because of what Jesus did, is currently doing in heaven, will do one day, and has asked us to do now.
      2. How might the Old Covenant (Old Testament) laws, precepts, statutes, and ordinances about believers giving their resources help us to understand how to give under the New Covenant (New Testament)?
      3. Why do you think that people who say that the church should not use the old covenant standard of the tithe (first 10%) and offerings (additional 20%+) rarely if ever make the argument to GIVE MORE than the tithe and offerings under the new covenant in Jesus?
      4. How are passages like this MISUSED today to compel (2 Corinthians 9:7-8) people to give more money?… PROPERLY used?
   2. How can we practically apply how Jehoiada, the king, and the people listened back then to how we should listen now?

READ 2 Kings 12:17-21, 2 Chronicles 24:20-22

1. What can we learn about listening from these passages and the outcomes of how we apply listening?
2. Why didn’t Zechariah’s words cause those listening to live differently? What might that mean for us if we try to get people to listen?
3. So many people think and say they are listening to God when they are not. How can these passages help us tell if we are listening to God?

READ 2 Kings 13:1-11, Joel 1:2-4, 2:25-28

1. How do these passages help us to see the obvious patterns Satan uses to keep believers from listening and the patterns God uses to get believers to listen?
2. Joel was a prophet during this time period. How would his words be hard but very helpful to those who were willing to listen while living in this political and cultural mess?