Yesterday's bible reading was tough for me. Lots going on places and people I didn't know. The purpose of 2 Chronicles is centered around worshiping God and how the nation of Israel is judged based upon how the rulers worship God. This reminds me that my faith or lack of faith has an impact on those who know me, my family, friends and business associates. Lets read together what is in Chapters 11-12.
Chapter 11.
Verses 1-4 The nation of Israel had just divided in chapter 10, so Rehoboam gathers men from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to fight the other ten tribes - to reunite the entire kingdom. When we are in conflict with others, it is wise to think through how to best resolve the conflict. Peaceful measures are better than through force against another person's will. So God intervenes and speaks to Shemaiah a man of God. Shemaiah goes to Rahoboam to tell him God said the nation was divided God's doing so do not go to battle. Go home. Rehoboam listens and goes home.
Verses 5-12 Rehoboam returns to Jerusalem, and focuses on building and fortifying the cities he is ruler over, for the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. The priests and Levites side with him and join him. Jeroboam rejected God therefore rejecting the priests. Rehoboam ruled for three years, his people walked in the ways of David and Solomon during this time.
Verses 18-22 We read about Rehoboam's family. He marries 18 wives, has 60 concubines, has 28 sons and 60 daughters. He loved Maacah, his third wife more than all the others. He appointed Abijah, son with his wife Maacah to replace him as king. He wisely moved his other sons to different regions in his kingdom - gave them many provisions and gave them many wives. Again - God does not approve of having more than one wife but he doesn't obey Gods commands.
Chapter 12
Verse 1. Rehoboam followed God - or made attempts to - for three years as we saw in the end of Chapter 11. However - as he becomes stronger as king, he abandons God. Israel abandons God too. We need to remember that we should always place God first in our lives - no matter what circumstances we are in.
Verses 2-5 In the 5th year of the reign of Rehoboam, Shishak, King of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. God allowed this to happen because his people had fallen away from him. I find it baffling that God found favor on Rahoboam just five years before and then they slowly drifted from God again. In verse 5, Shemaiah comes to Rahoboam again and says the Lord told him that since Rhahoboam has abandoned God, God abandoned him.
Verses 6-8 Rahaboam and the leaders of Israel humbled themselves and said "the Lord is just." When God sees this he shows mercy by not allowing Israel to be destroyed, but they will be subject to Shishak. They will be subject to man and God.
Verses 9-11 Shishak took all of the treasures of the temple and in the royal palace. Even the gold shields Solomon made, and replaced them with bronze. Rehaboam kept these on guard.
Verses 12 - God found favor in Judah and was no longer angry with them.
Verses 13-16. We read Rahaboam was 41 when he became king, and reigned 17 years until he died. He did evil because he did not seek the Lord. He was buried in Jerusalem. Abijah his son succeeded him as king.
Father God - we sadly read your people continue to drift away from you. Even your great temple has lost all the gold and glitter because your people walked away. And you warned them this would happen. I hope as we read the scriptures that we aren't critical of past generations but read this to remind us that our faith in you is precious and fragile. We can't hold you close when times are bad and ignore you when times are good. You are constant - our relationship to you should be constant too. We ask that we teach our children about you too Lord so that they may desire to have a personal relationship with you too. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
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