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.
2 Chronicles 24:20 · King James Version
Meaning
Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, stood above the people as the Spirit of God came upon him, delivering a message from the Lord. In this verse, Zechariah is condemning the people for their transgressions and disobedience towards the commandments of the Lord. The message is a warning that their prosperity is directly linked to their adherence to the Lord's commandments. By forsaking the Lord and choosing to follow their own desires, the people have in turn been forsaken by God. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of living in accordance with God's will and the consequences that come with straying from His path. It highlights the theme of obedience and faithfulness in maintaining a relationship with God and receiving His blessings. This passage can prompt readers to reflect on their own actions and ensure they are living in a way that honors and pleases the Lord.
Theological Overview
In this verse, we see the Spirit of God coming upon Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, as he stood above the people. This signifies the divine authority and message Zechariah is about to deliver to the people. The word "Spirit" often refers to the presence and power of God in the Old Testament. Zechariah's role as a priest further emphasizes the importance of his message to the people. The verse highlights the consequences of transgressing the commandments of the Lord and forsaking Him. It serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the idea that obedience and faithfulness lead to prosperity, while disobedience results in being forsaken by God. This verse underscores the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments in order to prosper and receive His blessings.
2 Chronicles 24:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible
The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you disobey the commandments of Yahweh, so that you can’t prosper? Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.’”
Douay-Rheims
The spirit of God then came upon Zacharias the son of Joiada the priest, and he stood in the sight of the people, and said to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Why transgress you the commandment of the Lord which will not be for your good, and have forsaken the Lord, to make him forsake you?
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Spirit of God came vpon Zechariah the sonne of Iehoiada the Priest, which stoode aboue the people, and sayde vnto them, Thus sayth God, Why transgresse ye the commandements of the Lord? surely ye shall not prosper: because ye haue forsaken the Lord, he also hath forsaken you.