Daily Bible Reading Day 160

2Chronicles 26-28; John 17.  Uzziah becomes king at 16 years old. Initially he does right like his father. The text does not compare him to David. He builds fortifications in the land. His army gets big and powerful. Somewhere along the way he gets a little too big for his britches. He enters to the temple to perform the priest's duties. They try to get him out of there and he refuses at first. Then leprosy breaks out on his forehead and he is rushed out. He remains a leper to the day of his death.

Jotham replaces Uzziah. He walks in his father's ways. Again he is not a bad king but is not compared to David. Chronicles has a short listing for him. He is smart and doesn't enter the temple like his father. 

Jotham dies and Ahaz takes his place. Ahaz walks in the ways of the kings of Israel. He not only lets the people worship as they want, he does as well. He burns his sons in the fire. He continually loses in battle and doesn't receive the help he wants. During his loss to Aram, Israel tries to take captive some of the people of Judah. A prophet meets them along the way and tells them if they don't return the captives they will be in for big trouble. They return the captives. Ahaz appeals to Assyria for help. Instead of helping they afflict Judah. Ahaz gets deeper into idol worship as a result. He still doesn't find the relief he seeks. He dies and Hezekiah reigns in his place.

This is called Jesus' high priestly prayer. He prays first about himself and his work. He is bringing glory to the Father as was planned. Then he prays for his apostles and their work. Then he prays for those who would believe in him through the word of the apostles. Throughout this prayer he emphasizes the oneness that is and should be.