Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Rehoboam's Apostasy II Chronicles 12

II Chronicles 12:1 "And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD and all Israel with him." I Kings 14:21-24 Also Isaiah chapter 61 is a good read in connection.

We have read it before, Rehoboam was a king who honored the LORD for three years but once he was established in Judah and felt he had fortified the kingdom (Judah), he left doing as the law said. v14 Deuteronomy 31:16.

Jeroboam came up from Egypt upon Solomon's death and the ten tribes of Israel followed him after Reoboam's disastrous speech to them. Now Rehoboam has forsaken the LORD and 'did evil', so he is invaded by Egypt. Along with Egypt, came Lubims, Sukkiims, and Ethiopians. Twelve hundred chariots and 60,000 horsemen came storming into Judah and took the fenced cities.

v6 "Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said The LORD is righteous."

Rehoboam served the LORD then left him, he is protector of Jerusalem where the LORD had chosen to put his name. He cannot get away with leaving the LORD and leading the people to do so. Jeroboam on the other hand never proposed to serve the LORD, yet he served much longer.
I think Rehoboam had it better since the LORD cared enough for him to chasten him.

The LORD spared Jerusalem but did not let them off completely.

v8 "Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries."

v12 "And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether; and also in Judah things went well."

Rehoboam served from the time he was 41 for seventeen years in Jerusalem. His son Abijah took his place as king.

Isaiah 61:11 "For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."

Rehoboam turns from the LORD. His punishment.

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