So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. (Ezra 6:14, NKJV) In spite of opposition from local leaders, God empowered His people to complete the building of the Temple, with the aid of prophets and three Persians kings: Cyrus, Darius

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the Lord God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You

From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, although the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. (Ezra 3:6, NKJV) Cyrus, King of Persia, had allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. The first part that was rebuilt was the altar. Immediately after it was built they began to offer sacrifices, as prescribed in the Law of Moses, before any of the foundation or walls were built. Our relationship

The tomb of Cyrus Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.” (Ezra 1:1-2, NK

And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy. Therefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans…And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon… (2 Chronicl

Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. (2 Chronicles 33:12-13, NKJV) Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings of Judah. He was involved in many types of occult activity, including human sacrifice. Yet, God restored him when he tu

After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself. (2 Chronicles 32:1, NKJV) King Hezekiah had been faithful to the Lord. Yet, his kingdom was invaded by the King of Assyria, who had conquered numerous nations. Hezekiah prepared himself and his people, and prayed with Isaiah the Prophet. God delivered them. Adversity comes to everyone, even the faithful. Some

Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it… and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the Lord. So they sanctified the house of the Lord… Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the Lord… (2 Chronicles 29:16-18, NKJV) King Hezekiah commanded the priests and Levites to cleanse the Temple and prepare it for service. They started in the inner chamber and worked their way out unt

Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 28:22, NKJV) Because Ahaz led his nation into idolatry, God allowed him to be defeated by several of his enemies. Instead of repenting of the sin which caused the situation, Ahaz sinned even more. The escalation of evil brought even more trouble upon him and the nation. Adversity amplifies the condition of the heart. It is easier to mask our attitudes when things are going we

So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God (2 Chronicles 27:6, NKJV) God made King Jotham strong because he was faithful. He lived in God’s presence. God is always present and in control. But we don’t always recognize that. Jotham recognized God’s presence and power; and he ordered his life accordingly. Recognize God’s presence and power . God is always present. He is always in control. As we make plans and decisions, the goal is n

But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. (2 Chronicles 26:16, NKJV) Uzziah enjoyed a long and prosperous reign. He was successful and strong because he was faithful to God. However, his reign ended poorly. He became arrogant and went into the temple to offer incense on the altar, a task only priests were allowed to do. He becam

Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king… And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart. (2 Chronicles 25:1-2, NKJV) Amaziah started well, but he did not finish well. At first, he followed God. God gave him success in battle. After his success, he began to worship false gods. He was not loyal to God. God caused him to be defeated by Israel. Don’t let success turn your heart from God. Sometimes, when people are successful, the

Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. (2 Chronicles 24:18, NKJV) King Joash had lived in the temple, was the nephew of the high priest, and had led a campaign to restore the Temple in Jerusalem. But after the high priest died, Joash was swayed by the leaders of the kingdom to practice idolatry. He ordered the stoning of his cousin, a prophet, in t

…so he died in severe pain. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning for his fathers. He was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed. However they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. (2 Chronicles 21:19-20, NKJV) Jehoram, King of Judah, was wicked. He murdered his brothers, engaged in idolatry, and led his nation into idolatry. He brought God’s punishment

And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you…. But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish. (2 Chronicles 19:2;20:37, NKJV) Although J

Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. (2 Chronicles 17:3-4; NKJV) God blessed Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, because he looked for God, lived for God, and was loyal to God. The young king followed God and led his people to do the same. He removed all of the high places and pagan religious sit

…Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand…the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly…” (2 Chronicles 16:7, 9; NKJV) Early in his reign, Asa, King of Judah, relied on God. God gave

“The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2, NKJV) These are some of the words of Azariah, son of Oded, spoken to King Asa of Judah. The message of Azariah inspired Asa to remove idols from his kingdom and restore worship of the Lord. In this brief statement we find some principles of faith. God is found by those who seek Him. Real faith is characterized by a desire

And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You! So the Lord struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. (2 Chronicles 14:11-12, NKJV) King Asa followed the Lord, and led his nation to do the same. Asa also stren

Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers. (2 Chronicles 13:18, NKJV) King Abijah reigned only three years in Jerusalem. He continued the sinful practices of his father, Rehoboam, for most of that time. Yet on this occasion, outnumbered and outmaneuvered in battle, Abijah and his men trusted in God; and God gave them the victory. Our imperfections do not cancel God’s love.