Parallel Passage: 1 Kings 12:21-24
Remember that anytime we are in 2 Chronicles, we are always talking about the Kings of Judah because the purpose of Chronicles is to highlight the importance of the temple and the religious revivals in Judah. The Kingdom of Judah is in focus from 10:1-36:23.
BACKGROUND
Judah's King Rehoboam
Reigned: 931 - 913 B.C. for 17 years
Character: Bad Mostly
Overlap with Israel's King: Jeroboam I (931-910 B.C.)
Manner of Death: Natural
The 1 Kings account of Rehoboam recounts the event, but 2 Chronicles 11 centers around the divine purpose behind those events that we read in 2 Chronicles 10:15: "So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His word . . ." The question was: Would Rehoboam listen?
In this chapter, Rehoboam did. He heard and obeyed God's message through Shemaiah. As a result, God blessed his building projects (11:5-12), his people (11:13-17), and his family (11:18-23).
The King of Israel, Jeroboam I, had put his own priests in place and led the ten northern tribes into the worship of goat and calf idols; but for three years, King Rehoboam led the people of Judah into the worship ordained in the Law of Moses. This resulted in the migration of many priests and Levites in Israel to true worship in Judah.
Even though Rehoboam was blessed with many children and acted wisely in the distribution of his sons through all the territories of Judah (11:23), he did disobey God by taking eighteen wives and fifteen concubines (Deuteronomy 17:17). We know that was the downfall of his father Solomon!
REFLECTION
Rehoboam had three glorious years. Let us bask in that for a while because I hate to say it, but it will not last!
So, what is going to keep us walking with God for the long haul? Do we want to finish well? YES!
So, why did Rehoboam succeed for those three years?
They listened to the words of the LORD. (11:4)
He acted wisely.
(11:23)
There is a simple pattern here: Listen and act upon what God tells you!
APPLICATION
This is the key to a day-to-day, 24/7/365 life of walking with the Lord: Listen and obey. I know it sounds simple, but that is it.
I have recommended this book before, and I will do it again until you order it: God Guides. I have yet to meet anyone who has not loved this simple book. Most people order more to give away. It is that good. Remember to have a daily "listening time" and write down what God tells you. Then do what He tells you to do.
In addition, I am reading a sweet book with the elders and wives of our church called More Than Ordinary: Enjoying Life with God by Doug Sherman (turns out I know the man that discipled him and wrote the foreword to the book!). It is a very simple concept, but it is about walking with Him 24/7/365.
The principles in this book are super simple. If every believer followed them, their lives would be transformed! Sadly though, we can sometimes be like Rehoboam.
PRAYER
Lord, empower us to listen and obey for the long haul! We want to live extraordinary lives for You. Amen.
3 comments:
I'm confused Carol. Could you clarify something for me? In verse 15 it says Rehoboam built calf idols. That would be wrong, wouldn't it?
Thanks!
Heather in MN
Jeroboam, King of Israel, set up high places for the stayrs (goats) and for the calves which he had made. The "He" in verse 15 is Jeroboam from verse 14.
Those two names are so close together! It is easy to get them confused.
Listen and Obey. I keep recommending God Guides, but I have not read it for quite some time. I should do it again or take some people through it again. We always use it in our trainings, but we have not had one since the 2017-2018 cohort.
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