CHAPTER 25 *** w12 4/15 p. 16 par. 13 Maintain a Complete Heart Toward Jehovah ***

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1 2 Chronicles Jehovah s Word Is Alive Highlights From the Book of 2 Chronicles CHAPTER 25 *** w12 4/15 p. 16 par. 13 Maintain a Complete Heart Toward Jehovah *** 13 The lesson is obvious. It is commendable if we share regularly in such wholesome and satisfying activities as attending congregation meetings and participating in field service. But serving Jehovah with a complete heart involves more. (2 Chron. 25:1, 2, 27) If deep down in his heart a Christian continues to love the things behind that is, certain aspects of the world s way of life he is in danger of losing his good standing with God. (Luke 17:32) Only if we truly abhor what is wicked [and] cling to what is good will we be well fitted for the kingdom of God. (Rom. 12:9; Luke 9:62) All of us, therefore, need to make sure that nothing in Satan s world, no matter how useful or pleasant it may seem to be, holds us back from being wholehearted in caring for Kingdom interests. 2 Cor. 11:14; read Philippians 3:13, 14. *** w05 12/1 p. 21 par. 3 Highlights From the Book of Second Chronicles *** 24:17-19; 25:14. Idolatry proved to be a snare for Jehoash and his son Amaziah. Today, idolatry can be equally seductive, particularly when it comes in the subtle form of covetousness or nationalism. Colossians 3:5; Revelation 13:4. CHAPTER 26 *** km 12/15 p. 3 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** POINT TMS According to 2 Chronicles 26:5, who exercised a good influence on young Uzziah, and how can youths today benefit from mature Christians in the congregation? [Dec. 28, w07 12/15 p. 10 pars. 2, 4] Not much is known about Zechariah, the adviser to the king, apart from this account in the Bible. Yet, as the instructor in the fear of the true God, Zechariah exercised a fine influence on the young ruler to do what was right. The Expositor s Bible observes that Zechariah was obviously a man versed in sacred learning, rich in spiritual experience, and able to communicate his knowledge. One Bible scholar concluded about Zechariah: He was well versed in prophecy and... was an intelligent, devout, good man; and, it seems, had great influence with Uzziah. Do you have someone who might be called an instructor, a mentor, who influences you to search for God? This can be so whether you are young or past the days of your youth, whether you are male or female. Treasure such a mentor, for his or her admonition can help you to keep doing what is right in Jehovah s eyes. Listen to this mature Christian, and seriously consider the advice he gives. May you never turn aside from the wise words of such an instructor in the fear of the true God. Proverbs 1:5; 12:15; 19:20.

2 *** w15 4/15 p. 21 par. 9 How Real Is Your Relationship With Jehovah? *** 9 In this case, however, additional details are available to us elsewhere in the Bible. King Azariah was also known as King Uzziah. (2 Ki. 15:7, 32) In the parallel account at 2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 16-21, we learn that although Uzziah did what was right in Jehovah s eyes for a time, later in life his heart became haughty to his own ruin. Presumptuously, he attempted to perform priestly duties that were outside the scope of his authority. Eighty-one priests confronted him and endeavored to correct him. How did Uzziah respond? He demonstrated how proud he had become. He became enraged against the priests. No wonder Jehovah struck him with leprosy! *** w14 12/15 p. 20 Should You Change Your Mind? *** Consider also the example of King Uzziah. At first, he was doing what was right in Jehovah s eyes and continually searched for God. Sadly, though, Uzziah spoiled his good record by becoming haughty. He entered the temple to offer incense, though he was not a priest. When the priests warned him not to commit this presumptuous act, did he change his mind? No. Uzziah became enraged and ignored their warning. As a result, Jehovah struck him with leprosy. 2 Chron. 26:3-5, *** w10 10/15 p. 27 Help Young Ones to Become Familiar With Jehovah s Organization *** When you make it a practice to arrive early at the Kingdom Hall and to stay for a while after the meeting ends, your children will have a chance to make friends. Instead of letting them associate only with other children, why not introduce them to brothers and sisters of all ages? If they get to know the older ones, your youngsters will discover a delightful reservoir of experience and wisdom. Just as Zechariah of old, an instructor in the fear of the true God, exercised a fine influence on young Uzziah, king of Judah, so those who today have served Jehovah faithfully for many years exert a good influence on young people. (2 Chron. 26:1, 4, 5) While in the Kingdom Hall, you can also explain to your children the function of the library, the information board, and other features. *** w05 10/15 p. 25 par. 19 Beware of Developing a Haughty Heart *** 19 Haughtiness along with other wicked traits can ruin a good relationship with Jehovah. Consider, for example, the first part of King Uzziah s reign: He kept doing what was right in Jehovah s eyes... And he continually tended to search for God... ; and, in the days of his searching for Jehovah, the true God made him prosperous. (2 Chronicles 26:4, 5) Sadly, though, King Uzziah spoiled his good record, for his heart became haughty even to the point of causing ruin. He came to think so much of himself that he entered the temple to offer up incense. When the priests warned him not to commit this presumptuous act, Uzziah became enraged. As a result, Jehovah struck him with leprosy, and he died in God s disfavor. 2 Chronicles 26:16-21.

3 *** w05 12/1 p. 20 par. 9 Highlights From the Book of Second Chronicles *** 16:7-12; 26:16-21; 32:25, 26. Haughtiness caused King Asa to behave badly during the last years of his life. A haughty spirit led to Uzziah s downfall. Hezekiah acted unwisely and perhaps proudly when he showed Babylonian emissaries his treasury. (Isaiah 39:1-7) Pride is before a crash, warns the Bible, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. Proverbs 16:18. *** km 12/10 p. 3 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** What lesson can we learn from the account of King Uzziah s haughty act? (2 Chron. 26:15-21) [w99 12/1 p. 26 pars. 1-2] GOD-FEARING King Uzziah of ancient Jerusalem was a brilliant military commander. With Jehovah s help, he defeated his enemies one after the other. Consequently [Uzziah s] fame went out to a great distance, for he was helped wonderfully until he was strong. But then his heart became haughty... so that he acted unfaithfully against Jehovah his God. Because of Uzziah s haughtiness, he was struck with leprosy. 2 Chronicles 26:15-21; Proverbs 16:18. These two accounts teach us that strengths, when not balanced by wisdom, modesty, and humility, can easily become weaknesses or liabilities. This is sobering, for in one way or another, every one of us has certain strengths, or gifts, and we want these to be an asset and a source of joy to ourselves and others, especially to our Creator. Indeed, we ought to put to full use any gift of God we may have but at the same time regulate it so that it remains a valuable asset. *** w91 7/15 pp Why Be Clothed With Humility? *** The garment of humility helps us to accept discipline. Humble people are not like Judah s King Uzziah, whose heart became so haughty that he usurped priestly duties. He acted unfaithfully against Jehovah and came into the temple to burn incense upon the altar of incense. When Uzziah became enraged at the priests for correcting him, he was stricken with leprosy. What a price to pay for lack of humility! (2 Chronicles 26:16-21; Proverbs 16:18) Never be like Uzziah and let pride prevent you from accepting discipline from God through His Word and organization. *** w89 7/15 pp. 5-6 Work That Can Make You Happy *** Some devote their lives to helping others. Jesus encouraged this spirit. (Matthew 7:12; John 15:13) Keeping busy in the worthwhile work of helping others really does bring happiness. Proverbs 11:25. However, such noble-minded industriousness is not free of pitfalls. For instance, Judean king Uzziah engaged in a massive civil work of hewing out cisterns in the wilderness. Uzziah must have had the benefit of his people in mind, as he was searching for Jehovah at that time and evidently heeded the divine mandate that the kings be unselfish. (2 Chronicles 26:5, 10; Deuteronomy 17:14-20) This enhanced his military success, and his fame went out to a great distance. But upon becoming strong, he became haughty, resulting in his fall. (2 Chronicles 26:15-20; Proverbs 16:18) One who is devoted to helping others but who is motivated by self-gratification and pride can also end up in a crash. Then, why should anyone want to work hard?

4 *** w84 1/15 p. 11 Beware of Presumptuousness! *** Another warning example is that of presumptuous King Uzziah, or Azariah. He improperly endeavored to offer incense at Jehovah s temple. With what result? Why, for his presumptuous act, Uzziah was stricken with dreaded leprosy! Yes, Jehovah plagued the king, and he continued to be a leper until the day of his death. (2 Kings 15:5; 2 Chronicles 26:16-23) What a warning to beware of presumptuousness! *** g 10/11 p. 19 Adolescence Preparing for Adulthood *** One society that did not isolate youths from adults was that of ancient Israel. For example, the Bible tells of Uzziah, who became king of Judah while still a teenager. What helped Uzziah handle that weighty responsibility? Evidently, at least in part, it was the influence of an adult named Zechariah, whom the Bible describes as an instructor in the fear of the true God. 2 Chronicles 26:5. Does your adolescent have one or more adult mentors who share your values? Do not feel jealous of such helpful influences. Having them can help your adolescent do what is right. A Bible proverb states: He that is walking with wise persons will become wise. Proverbs 13:20. *** km 4/01 p. 5 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** What sobering lesson about strengths can we learn from the case of Judean King Uzziah? (2 Chron. 26:15-21) [Weekly Bible reading; see w99 12/1 p. 26 pars. 1-2.] When they are not accompanied by wisdom, modesty and humility, qualities can become defects or disadvantages. CHAPTER 27 *** w70 2/1 p. 68 Fulfill Your Role in Your Family *** There are instances, though, when both parents properly fulfill their roles, but some of the children still turn out bad. If they have done all they could to train the children properly, the responsibility for the badness does not rest on them. They should not blame themselves. There are several instances in the Bible where good parents had some children that turned out bad. Jotham is one who had this experience. 2 Chron. 27:6, 9; 28:1. CHAPTER 28 *** w05 12/1 p. 20 par. 8 Highlights From the Book of Second Chronicles *** 16:1-5, 7; 18:1-3, 28-32; 21:4-6; 22:10-12; 28: Alliances with foreigners or nonbelievers have tragic consequences. We are wise to avoid any unnecessary involvement with the world. John 17:14, 16; James 4:4. *** km 12/93 p. 6 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** Unnecessary entanglements with the world can prove disastrous. [2 Chron. 28:16, 20, 21] [Weekly Bible reading; see w85 9/1 p. 30.]

5 (2 Chronicles 25:1, 2, 27) 25 Am a ziʹah was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother s name was Je ho adʹdan of Jerusalem. 2 He continued to do what was right in Jehovah s eyes, but not with a complete heart. 27 From the time that Am a ziʹah turned away from following Jehovah, they formed a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Laʹchish, but they sent men after him to Laʹchish and put him to death there. (2 Chronicles 25:14) 14 But after Am a ziʹah returned from striking down the Eʹdom ites, he brought the gods of the men of Seʹir and set them up for himself as gods, and he began to bow down before them and to make sacrificial smoke to them. (2 Chronicles 26:5) 5 And he kept searching for God in the days of Zech a riʹah, who taught him to fear the true God. During the time he was searching for Jehovah, the true God made him prosper.

6 (2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 16-21) 3 Uz ziʹah was 16 years old when he became king, and he reigned for 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother s name was Je co liʹah of Jerusalem. 4 He continued to do what was right in Jehovah s eyes, just as his father Am a ziʹah had done. 5 And he kept searching for God in the days of Zech a riʹah, who taught him to fear the true God. During the time he was searching for Jehovah, the true God made him prosper. 16 However, as soon as he was strong, his heart became haughty to his own ruin, and he acted unfaithfully against Jehovah his God by entering the temple of Jehovah to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Immediately Az a riʹah the priest and 80 other courageous priests of Jehovah went in after him. 18 They confronted King Uz ziʹah and said to him: It is not proper for you, Uz ziʹah, to burn incense to Jehovah! It is only the priests who should burn incense, for they are the descendants of Aaron, those who have been sanctified. Go out from the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully and you will receive no glory from Jehovah God for this. 19 But Uz ziʹah, who had a censer in his hand to burn incense, became enraged; and during his rage against the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of Jehovah next to the altar of incense. 20 When Az a riʹah the chief priest and all the priests turned toward him, they saw that he had been stricken with leprosy in his forehead! So they rushed him out of there, and he himself hurried out, because Jehovah had struck him. 21 King Uz ziʹah remained a leper until the day of his death, and he kept staying in a separate house as a leper, for he had been excluded from the house of Jehovah. His son Joʹtham was in charge of the king s house, judging the people of the land. (2 Chronicles 26:1 4, 5) 26 Then all the people of Judah took Uz ziʹah, who was 16 years old, and made him king in place of his father Am a ziʹah. 4 He continued to do what was right in Jehovah s eyes, just as his father Am a ziʹah had done. 5 And he kept searching for God in the days of Zech a riʹah, who taught him to fear the true God. During the time he was searching for Jehovah, the true God made him prosper.

7 (2 Chronicles 26:15-21) 15 Further, in Jerusalem he made engines of war designed by engineers; they were set on the towers and on the corners of the walls and could shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he received tremendous help and he became strong. 16 However, as soon as he was strong, his heart became haughty to his own ruin, and he acted unfaithfully against Jehovah his God by entering the temple of Jehovah to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Immediately Az a riʹah the priest and 80 other courageous priests of Jehovah went in after him. 18 They confronted King Uz ziʹah and said to him: It is not proper for you, Uz ziʹah, to burn incense to Jehovah! It is only the priests who should burn incense, for they are the descendants of Aaron, those who have been sanctified. Go out from the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully and you will receive no glory from Jehovah God for this. 19 But Uz ziʹah, who had a censer in his hand to burn incense, became enraged; and during his rage against the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of Jehovah next to the altar of incense. 20 When Az a riʹah the chief priest and all the priests turned toward him, they saw that he had been stricken with leprosy in his forehead! So they rushed him out of there, and he himself hurried out, because Jehovah had struck him. 21 King Uz ziʹah remained a leper until the day of his death, and he kept staying in a separate house as a leper, for he had been excluded from the house of Jehovah. His son Joʹtham was in charge of the king s house, judging the people of the land. (2 Chronicles 26:5, 10) 5 And he kept searching for God in the days of Zech a riʹah, who taught him to fear the true God. During the time he was searching for Jehovah, the true God made him prosper. 10 Further, he built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns (for he had a great deal of livestock); he also did so in the She pheʹlah and on the plain. He had farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carʹmel, for he loved agriculture.

8 (2 Chronicles 26:15-23) 15 Further, in Jerusalem he made engines of war designed by engineers; they were set on the towers and on the corners of the walls and could shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he received tremendous help and he became strong. 16 However, as soon as he was strong, his heart became haughty to his own ruin, and he acted unfaithfully against Jehovah his God by entering the temple of Jehovah to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Immediately Az a riʹah the priest and 80 other courageous priests of Jehovah went in after him. 18 They confronted King Uz ziʹah and said to him: It is not proper for you, Uz ziʹah, to burn incense to Jehovah! It is only the priests who should burn incense, for they are the descendants of Aaron, those who have been sanctified. Go out from the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully and you will receive no glory from Jehovah God for this. 19 But Uz ziʹah, who had a censer in his hand to burn incense, became enraged; and during his rage against the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of Jehovah next to the altar of incense. 20 When Az a riʹah the chief priest and all the priests turned toward him, they saw that he had been stricken with leprosy in his forehead! So they rushed him out of there, and he himself hurried out, because Jehovah had struck him. 21 King Uz ziʹah remained a leper until the day of his death, and he kept staying in a separate house as a leper, for he had been excluded from the house of Jehovah. His son Joʹtham was in charge of the king s house, judging the people of the land. 22 And the rest of the history of Uz ziʹah, from beginning to end, was recorded by the prophet Isaiah the son of Aʹmoz. 23 Then Uz ziʹah was laid to rest with his forefathers, and they buried him with his forefathers, but in the burial field that belonged to the kings, for they said: He is a leper. And his son Joʹtham became king in his place. (2 Chronicles 26:5) 5 And he kept searching for God in the days of Zech a riʹah, who taught him to fear the true God. During the time he was searching for Jehovah, the true God made him prosper. (2 Chronicles 27:6, 9) 6 So Joʹtham kept growing strong, for he established his ways before Jehovah his God. 9 Then Joʹtham was laid to rest with his forefathers, and they buried him in the City of David. And his son Aʹhaz became king in his place. (2 Chronicles 28:16-22) 16 At that time King Aʹhaz asked the kings of As syrʹi a for help. 17 And once again the Eʹdom ites invaded and attacked Judah and carried off captives. 18 The Phi lisʹtines also made a raid on the cities of the She pheʹlah and the Negʹeb of Judah and captured Beth-sheʹmesh, Aiʹja lon, Ge deʹroth, Soʹco and its dependent towns, Timʹnah and its dependent towns, and Gimʹzo and its dependent towns; and they settled there. 19 Jehovah humbled Judah because of King Aʹhaz of Israel, for he had let Judah go unrestrained, resulting in great unfaithfulness toward Jehovah. 20 King Tilʹgath-pil neʹser of As syrʹi a eventually came against him and caused him distress rather than strengthening him. 21 For Aʹhaz had stripped the house of Jehovah and the house of the king and the houses of the princes and made a gift to the king of As syrʹi a; but it was of no help to him. 22 And during his time of distress, King Aʹhaz acted even more unfaithfully toward Jehovah.