2 Chronicles, 23
4. This is the thing that you shall do: of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers,
4. This is the thing that you shall do: of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers,
Chapter 23 of 2 Chronicles reports the rise of Joas to the throne of Judah after Atalia's death, a wicked queen who had usurped the throne and eliminated the descendants of David. Priest Joiada led a revolt and consecrated Joas as king, restoring the covenant of the people with God. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in this chapter:
Genesis 17:7: "I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants in the course of your generations, perpetual covenant, to be your God and the God of your descent." The covenant between God and the people of Israel is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and in this chapter, the importance of restoring this covenant that had been broken by the previous government was highlighted.
Deuteronomy 17:18-20: "When sitting on the throne of his kingdom, he will have a copy of this law, according to the original of the priests, Levites. Life, to learn to fear the Lord, his God, and to observe all the words of this law and these precepts, to fulfill them; so that his heart is not elevated upon his brothers and not to deviate from this commandment or to the right or the right to the left; and that it may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. " The importance of following God's law is highlighted in this verse, and the consecration of Joas as king included the fulfillment of these laws.
Psalm 45:6: "Your throne, O God, is eternal and perpetual; the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of equity." This psalm describes the king as an instrument of God, and the rise of Joas to the throne is seen as a restoration of God's will to the people of Judah.
Jeremiah 33:17: "For thus says the Lord, the David man who settles upon the throne of Israel will never be lacking." This verse refers to God's promise to David that his descent would always rule over Israel, and the rise of Joas is seen as the fulfillment of this promise.
Malachi 4:2: "But to you others who fear my name will be born the sun of justice, bringing salvation into its wings; and you will leave and jump like calves loose in the corral." This verse highlights the importance of fearing God and following his will, and the consecration of Joas as king is seen as a moment of spiritual renewal for the people of Judah.
“É preciso amar, amar e nada mais”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
