Read 2
Chronicles 10-12 & John
13:18-38
To discover:
As you read consider what we’re
learning about God’s promise to David.
To ponder:
10v1-11v4 is almost identical to 1
Kings 12v1-19, 21-24 (see notes there). We’re not told the prophecy about
Jeroboam becoming king of the ten northern tribes (9v29, 1 Kgs 11v26-40). As
we’ll see, the author is concerned about the kings of Judah
(the south) and those of Israel
(the north) only so far as they impact Judah.
And so the focus is on Solomon’s son Rehoboam being made king, but “not
listening to the people,” which left him reigning over just Judah and Benjamin.
The point is that after all the hope of an everlasting kingdom being
established through Solomon (1 Chr 17v11-14), not only has he died, but his son
proves himself lacking his father’s wisdom and so unable to maintain his
quality of rule or keep the kingdom together. This is seen further by his many
wives (against Deut 17v17) and his abandonment of “the law of the LORD.” We
should be thankful that our wise and righteous king lives forever to maintain
the glory of his kingdom.
What
is also learnt, is that Rehoboam’s actions do not mean God’s promise is
thwarted. These events were “from God” and fulfilling his word to Jeroboam
(10v15, 11v4). Moreover, we see something of the future of God’s promise in the
role Judah then
takes. Rehoboam fortifies his kingdom (11v5-12) so it is firmly his, and acts
“wisely” (and so like Solomon) in dispersing his sons to oversee its towns and
districts (11v23). And when Jeroboam in the north rejects God’s priests and
Levites to appoint others to serve his high places and idols, the priests and
Levites “abandon” their land and property to come to Jerusalem
and Judah where
they can offer sacrifices at the temple as prescribed by the law. Indeed, those
from “every” northern tribe who “set their hearts on seeking the LORD” followed
them, strengthening the kingdom of Judah,
supporting Rehoboam, and walking in the faithful ways of David and Solomon.
Here we see the
idea of a “remnant” form - a faithful group from the wider people of God. We
also see that the future for the faithful is with Judah and David’s line. As
Pentecost illustrated, faithful Israelites are now united in the one kingdom
of God through their common faith
in Christ. They, and Gentiles too, are to turn from the false religion and
idolatry of the world, and be prepared to leave everything in order to give him
their allegiance, join his people in the church, and so worship God rightly.
Under
Rehoboam, however, this time security and faithfulness only lasted three years
(11v17). “All Israel”
(often meaning Judah
in this book) followed his abandonment of God’s law, so by God’s hand the
Egyptian king captured the fortified cities. The key lesson is that if one
abandons God, in judgement he abandons them to the hostility of the world; and
that this is “just” (12v5-6). We see this in Adam and Eve’s exile from Eden,
and the book’s first readers would have seen this as an explanation for their
recent exile too. Moreover, it explains the sense of abandonment Jesus
expressed on the cross, as he paid this just penalty for his people. It also
warns us that to abandon God in Christ will mean he will eventually abandon us
(Mk 8v38).
The
right response to this truth is exemplified by Rehoboam and “Israel’s”
leaders, who humbled themselves in recognition that this was just and that they
had therefore done wrong. So God sent word through his prophet that he would
“deliver” them, not “pour out” his “wrath,” but still discipline them by
subjecting them to Shishak so they would learn how much better it is to serve
God as king. Here we see the framework of the gospel, but also perhaps
explanation of why God might allow us to continue experiencing hardship.
Shishak’s
removal of the treasures from the temple and palace together with the need to
guard their replacements, again showed the passing of the kingdom’s glory under
Solomon (as did Judah’s
continued fighting with the north, 12v15). Moreover, Rehoboam’s lack of zeal
may be seen in only replacing gold with bronze. Nevertheless, the fact that he
did at all and firmly established himself as king, is consistent with the note
that there was “some good in Judah.”
However, the final verdict is that he “did evil” because he didn’t “set his
heart on seeking” the LORD. Achieving some good in life, doesn’t outweigh a
failure to determinedly seek God.
Praying it home:
Praise God for ensuring that his
kingdom under Christ will never be lost. Pray that we would humbly accept our
sinfulness and the just penalty it warrants, and so always set our hearts on
seeking God through Christ.
Thinking further:
None today.
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