God’s story in god’s people

Who’s in charge of God’s grace? Sometimes we act as though we are, don’t we? We want mercy for ourselves and judgment for others. But Jonah’s story reminds us that God alone determines where his grace is extended. His grace is not ours to control, limit, or withhold from anyone.

Do you ever feel tired—worn down, exhausted, perhaps even emotionally drained from doing the right thing? As we study God’s people, we see moments in their lives when many of them were physically and spiritually spent. It happened to Moses as he led the grumbling Israelites through the desert.[1] It happened to David after fleeing from Saul for almost a decade.[2] And it happened to Elijah right after his showdown with the prophets of Baal. 

On the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–9), Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. Moses represented the law and Elijah represented the prophets. Jesus often used the phrase “the Law and the Prophets” to refer to the entire Old Testament (Luke 16:16). In our “Ten Signposts of the Bible” (see above) Elijah stands for all the biblical prophets who lived before, during, and after the exiles. We will wrap up our survey of the Old Testament by considering God’s story in the lives of the people who lived during the time of the prophets.

After Hezekiah’s death, his son Manasseh became king and reigned for fifty-five years—the longest reign in Judah’s history. His rule was marked by wickedness and deep spiritual corruption, so God prepared judgment against the southern kingdom.

Our study of the kings of Judah has repeatedly highlighted the significance of the legacy we leave behind. This truth is again emphasized in the life of King Hezekiah.

Today we will consider Uzziah, one of the most capable leaders among all the kings of Judah. His life provides a fascinating study.

As we study God’s story in God’s people, we are looking at several kings who ruled in Judah. Today, we will examine the life of one who, through God’s protection, came to power at a very young age. His name is Joash. I believe his devotion to the Lord raises questions we should consider in our own lives.

In the 9th century BC, the world was a busy place. The Bronze Age had given way to the Iron Age, with iron becoming the primary material for war and agriculture. In China, the Zhou Dynasty was in power. Egypt was caught in civil war. The Phoenicians were flourishing in Lebanon. In northern Iraq, the Assyrians were beginning to build a great empire. And through it all, the sovereign God was at work.

Over the next few days, we will consider six of Judah’s godly kings and the impact they had on the nation. We begin with Asa, who reigned for forty-one years, from 911 to 870 BC. First, let me set the context.