2 Chronicles 24:20

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

And the Spirit {H7307} of God {H430} came {H3847} upon Zechariah {H2148} the son {H1121} of Jehoiada {H3077} the priest {H3548}, which stood {H5975} above the people {H5971}, and said {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} God {H430}, Why transgress {H5674} ye the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068}, that ye cannot prosper {H6743}? because ye have forsaken {H5800} the LORD {H3068}, he hath also forsaken {H5800} you.

The Spirit of God covered Z'kharyah the son of Y'hoyada the cohen; he stood above the people and addressed them: "Thus says God: 'Why are you transgressing the mitzvot of ADONAI and courting disaster? Because you have abandoned ADONAI, he has abandoned you."

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, โ€œThis is what God says: โ€˜Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.โ€™โ€

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of Jehovah, so that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken Jehovah, he hath also forsaken you.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 24:20

2 Chronicles 24:20 records a pivotal moment in the reign of King Joash of Judah, highlighting the dire consequences of national apostasy. After the death of the righteous High Priest Jehoiada, Joash and the people of Judah had tragically turned away from the LORD, embracing idolatry. This verse introduces Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who steps forward as a prophet to deliver God's urgent message.

Context

The book of 2 Chronicles details the history of the kings of Judah, often emphasizing their spiritual fidelity and its impact on the nation's prosperity or decline. King Joash (Jehoash) began his reign at a young age and initially did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, guided by his uncle, Jehoiada the priest. Under Jehoiada's influence, the temple was repaired and the worship of God was restored. However, after Jehoiada's death, the leaders of Judah persuaded Joash to abandon the Lord and serve idols (2 Chronicles 24:18). It is in this context of widespread spiritual decline and royal complicity that the prophet Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronts the people. His position "above the people" suggests he was speaking from a prominent place, perhaps within the Temple courts, giving his words authority and visibility.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empowerment and Prophecy: The phrase "the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah" signifies a direct divine anointing and empowerment for prophetic utterance. This is a common biblical motif indicating that the message is not merely human opinion but a direct word from God. Zechariah spoke with divine authority, "Thus saith God," making his words an undeniable warning.
  • The Nature of Transgression: Zechariah's core accusation, "Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD," points to a deliberate breaking of God's covenant and laws. This was not an accidental straying but a conscious choice to disobey, particularly by worshiping idols.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse explicitly links transgression with a lack of prosperity: "that ye cannot prosper?" This illustrates a recurring biblical principle that obedience to God's commandments often leads to blessing and well-being, while disobedience brings negative consequences and divine judgment (see Deuteronomy 28). The prosperity promised in the covenant was contingent on their faithfulness.
  • Reciprocity in Relationship with God: The powerful concluding statement, "because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you," reveals the reciprocal nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel. While God is faithful, His active presence, protection, and blessing are often conditioned on His people's faithfulness to Him. When Judah turned away from Him, they experienced His withdrawal of favor, leading to vulnerability and defeat.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "Spirit" is ruach (ืจื•ึผื—ึท), which can mean wind, breath, or spirit. When associated with God, "the Spirit of God" (ruach Elohim) signifies the active, empowering presence of God, enabling individuals like Zechariah to speak or act supernaturally. The word "forsaken" (ืขึธื–ึทื‘ - 'azav) implies a deliberate abandonment or leaving behind, underscoring the severity of Judah's turning away from God and the resulting divine withdrawal.

Practical Application

The message of 2 Chronicles 24:20 remains profoundly relevant today. It serves as a timeless warning that:

  • Fidelity to God is Paramount: Our relationship with God is foundational, and deliberately turning away from His commands has spiritual and practical repercussions.
  • Consequences are Real: While prosperity isn't always material, spiritual and emotional well-being, peace, and divine favor are often tied to walking in obedience. Disobedience can lead to a sense of abandonment or spiritual barrenness.
  • God Desires Our Return: Even when God "forsakes" in judgment, it is often a call to repentance, an invitation to return to Him so that He may restore His presence and blessings. The divine abandonment is a consequence of human choice, not a capricious act.
  • Listen to Prophetic Warnings: We are called to heed the warnings from God's Word and from those who faithfully proclaim it, even when the message is uncomfortable or challenging. Tragically, Zechariah's faithfulness in delivering this message led to his martyrdom at the king's command (2 Chronicles 24:21), highlighting the cost of truth-telling in a rebellious age.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 14:41

    And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.

  • Jeremiah 5:25

    ยถ Your iniquities have turned away these [things], and your sins have withholden good [things] from you.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:14

    ยถ Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

  • 2 Chronicles 15:1

    ยถ And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:

  • 2 Chronicles 15:2

    And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

  • Matthew 23:35

    That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

  • 1 Chronicles 12:18

    Then the spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
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