Cleaning Time

2 Chronicles 27:2

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices.

I grew up with zero fondness doing household chores. No, I don’t consider myself totally lazy. I do a lot of other things as a teen. Just NOT cleaning. Sweeping, mopping, dusting, laundry, washing plates - - ‘It’s all dirty work’.  I’d rather press all your clothes. But mind you, I’m a visual O.C.. I want all things in order. A clip on the floor, a book on bed, or a towel left unhung makes me very uncomfortable. Now as a homemaker, I capitalized on that OC-ness to manage my culturally-lazy-syndrome. Be my guest sometime and you’d initially be impressed at my house-work. Just don’t finger-swipe those windows every morning and don’t try fluttering my curtains. Don’t say I didn’t warn you :>

If we’d visit Judah at the time of King Jotham, it’s actually impressive. Gates rebuilt, walls refurbished, new towns established, forts and towers erected. T’was visually grand and promising. Add to that its powerful leadership and progressive economy. Commendably a good place for life’s restart and even raise kids. So like how I felt when I first saw Singapore - - so beautiful and very orderly. Sadly though, and this I know, not everything orderly is clean. For swept under the rug of his success story was Judah’s rotten and corrupt practices. Not even his personal integrity and steadfast walk before the Lord was able to stop the people’s idolatry. But really, was it because he was unable? Seriously, as king?! Or was it because he didn’t?

For two weeks now, God has been opening my eyes to sin issues left and right. A few I’ve already dealt with by heaven’s grace. But there is this one person I’d rather, if I can have it my way, not confront. So far I’ve been giving God alternative routes to getting His will done. Can’t  I just teach the Word or at the most, live a godly life? Maybe it could somehow inspire the person to turn back from sin. Maybe? Somehow? Obviously indefinite. Today, God clearly pointed out that He’s not after who’s outwardly looking good here. His desire is for people to be cleansed from sin. Period. The path to correction and rebuke may affect the friendship, but it’s the risk I have to take. Sigh** Another reason why I’m not very fond of cleaning time :<

Be Careful With Success

2 Chronicles 26:16

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

Polymaths are multi-talented people who have a cut in every field of study they ran into. The likes of Isaac Newton who was a mathematician, physicist, theologian, astronomer, alchemist and philosopher; and, Paul Robeson who, aside from singing and acting, also excelled as a professional athlete, writer, multi-lingual orator, scholar and lawyer.  I can imagine their names always on the guest list because they can sensibly give inputs to everybody’s delight. They have the respect, the honored seats, and the power to influence decisions. Many would do anything and everything in exchange for that life. Even in today’s era of specialization, we wish to have that spotlight - - a.k.a. the pride of life. Now, be careful what you wish for.

It may not be outrightly what King Uzziah aspired for. Maybe he was just hoping for Judah to rise up again from the destruction that Jehoash left behind.  But because he did what was right in God’s eyes, he was given success left and right. As Commander-in-Chief, he found himself with a powerful, well-trained military force armed with war machines that caused his fame to spread far and wide. As Chief-Ruler, he further succeeded in attending to Judah’s welfare by building high towers and deep cisterns, to expanding the livestock, fields and vineyards. As a politician, he sure did ably in state affairs considering he was Amaziah’s heir.  And being under Zechariah, he too was a student of the word.  There was no place in the land where his genius had no direct hand. All except God’s temple. Maybe he thought, ‘Why can’t I? My credentials are far better than those priests. Maybe I can even reinvent the system and make it more relevant. And as king, why should my sins be made known to them? They are my subjects here!’  And so with a censer and much confidence in his heart, he trespassed the priestly office.   

As we grow old, with our education, experiences and inevitably gray hairs, there’s that sense that wisdom has fully set in. We bombard our youngsters with our ‘been there, done that’ quotes which somehow elevates us to becoming their authorities. And the mindset go with us everywhere. We offer unsolicited advice to already-stressed new parents; we meddle even in church financial decisions; we publicly malign our government system; and we think we’re smarter than our spouses. All these because God graciously gave us more years to our lives and more life to our years? We often pray for God to bless the work of our hands and be an influence to more people. But have we ever stopped to consider what we'll do with our successes? Are we sure to follow God's lead and give Him all credits? Because if it not, that pride will be to our downfall, like Uzziah’s leprosy ‘til his deathbed - - a tragic end that discredited all his good years.

Bad Mix

2 Chronicles 25:9

Amaziah asked the man of God, "But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?" The man of God replied, "The LORD can give you much more than that."

Baking is one skill which requires precision. From pans to measuring cups, it has to be as the recipe instructed. One ingredient more, or less, will definitely have an effect on the pastry.  Unless you’re a pro, or you’re family’s so forgiving, improvisation is not an option. And for everyone’s sake, check the quality of e-v-e-r-y additive before the mix. A rotten egg cracked into your batter, no matter how fine and fresh the others eggs are, should definitely be trashed. It may cost you time and dimes to restart, but compared to the health risks, would anyone choose otherwise?

When King Amaziah had a headcount of his fighting men who’d go against the Edomites, he found it necessary to recruit a hundred thousand more from their northern brothers. By recruit, that meant hiring them for ten thousand dollars each in today’s currency. After the mix, a man of God told him that the one-fourth additive were idolatrous, rotten eggs and should not march with them to battle or they’d all be overthrown by the enemy. ‘But I paid a billion for these eggs?’ was this baker’s concern. If I’m one from Judah, I’d blurt out, ‘So we’d rather lose our lives to make you feel good about your investment?’ But instead of rebuke, God patiently and gently assured him with these words, ‘I can give you much more than that!’

Logically, obeying God is everyone’s wisest choice. ‘Leave everything behind and follow Me.’  In Him, we are assured of help in troubled times, of joy amidst life’s pain, of hope when everything else fails. But because our eyes are on what we’re leaving behind, we’re missing out on the riches of Christ. When our hearts are foolishly fixed on the emotions we have invested with that ungodly man, or the tenure we’re eyeing regardless of the corrupt system we’re in - - we’ll soon be rotting as well.  In time, God will have to trash out the bad eggs, and unless you call on Jesus’ name to cleanse you, you’re going down with the mix.   So stop calculating your cash in and trust God’s gracious offer of life anew. For surely, He can give you much more than what the world can give.