Oct 26: 2Chr 23 | Dan 4 | Acts 2
Updated: Oct 26, 2021
Reading 1 - 2Ch 23
"Jehoiada gathered his forces for a counter-revolution. It was significantly in the 'seventh year' (v 1), a type of the greater millennium 7th period, in which the forces of Truth will be exercised against the Sin-power. With Jehoiada were 'captains of thousands', and Yahshua the Anointed will similarly gather his great ones, the saints of the covenant, with him. The men of Jehoiada went about to attract others to their policies (v 2), as the Lord has been gathering out of the Gentiles a people for his Name. Priests, Levites and military were used. They were divided into thirds as was normal. Under Jehoiada, the priesthood was raised to an importance it never afterwards lost. Through the priesthood the lineage of David had been saved, and the worship of Yahweh restored. During the minority of Joash, Jehoiada reigned as King-Priest, and was regarded as the second founder of that order (Jer 29:26). The wicked Athaliah was removed from power (2Ch 23:15). Disturbed by the noise Athaliah emerged from the palace to see the Levites and guards in military order. Hastening to the temple she entered the court to be barred by the guard (v 10). The whole scene described in v 13, met her startled gaze, and soon she was removed: as will all those who elevate the power of the flesh for personal gratification and prestige. All opposition being crushed, the people were again called together to enter into a solemn covenant with Yahweh and His viceroy on earth (2Ch 23:16,17), typical of the covenant of immortality to be enjoyed by the people under Christ (cp Joh 3:3-6). Thus the full worship was restored (2Ch 23:18,19). All sacrificial arrangements were ascribed to the Law; all musical and temple appointments to David. Thus Jehoiada restored a Davidic form of worship on the basis of the Law, as it will be under Christ (cp 2Ch 24:17)" (GE Mansfield).
Reading 2 - Dan 4
"Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him" (Dan 4:16).
The Bible tells us generally that men who know not God, or who treat other men in a brutal fashion, are no better than "beasts", and that they will ultimately perish like beasts (Psa 49:12,20; Ecc 3:19,20). This is probably the rationale for Gentile oppressors of God's people being characterized as "beasts" of prey, in Daniel and elsewhere. The great "Beast" of Rev 13, with its 7 heads and 10 horns, also is said to have the number of a man (v 18), perhaps indicating that it represents a particular man. At least one man in OT times was actually made by God to be like a "beast&