2 Chronicles 12 - Humble Yourself

Rehoboam totally abandoned the will, the ways, of God.  And... he was humbled.  The LORD sent Egypt against him.  Rehoboam was humbled and repented and the wrath of the LORD was turned from him.  Yet, Rehoboam's reign was a reign of evil in the sight of the LORD.

What can I say?  Repent and turn to the LORD for He is merciful and kind.  Oh, that all whom Jesus' died for would humble themselves and turn to the one who died to save them.

When I read the lessons and begin writing, I often wonder how many people who are reading this are thinking "what an old fool."  That may be true, but I'd rather be an old fool than lost.  I am totally serious.  It does not matter what anyone thinks of us.  There is only one way.  It is to follow Jesus in the way of the cross.  May we humble ourselves, daily, turning to the LORD, living in the Kingdom of God. 

2 Chronicles 11 - Family

Last chapter, Rehoboam oppresses the people.  This chapter; the oppressed (Jeroboam) sets up false gods.  Makes sense to me!  Not!  It is just amazing how our human nature will lead us to do what is not God's will.  And... yet, God continues to love His children.

And speaking of children, Rehoboam has a few - 88 of them - including 24 sons.  Course, that really not that many when you consider that he had 18 wives and 60 concubines.  Rehoboam knows how to manipulate his sons for his own political purposes.  He has, as is necessary. chosen one as the heir to the throne.  We'll see how that plays out, as he has chosen the eldest son of his favorite wife, not the first-born of his sons.  But, he is shrewd in that he provides well for all them and gives them each places of authority in various cities.  This probably in hopes that he will be able to satisfy them and keep them from killing each other out of jealousy.  It will also ensure that Rehoboam maintains control over the whole region as his own sons watch over the various areas.  I'm thinking Rehoboam is a "control freak" and he's pretty good at it.  Money and power can really aid in controlling the lives of people around us.

Most of us have much smaller families today - in this country we do not allow for 18 wives.  It would be good if these smaller families would be able to interact and genuinely care for each other.  However, it still often happens that the whole family will end up being controlled in such a way by the most powerful and manipulative in the family to do their will, to help fulfill their desires, their dreams, and aspirations for their own lives.  No one in the family benefits from this.  Everyone one ends up a bit more dysfunctional than they would be in the first place, given our human natures.

May God bless families so that they would love and not manipulate and use their loved ones.  May He bless this world and all leaders so that they will think first of serving God and others, before themselves.

1 Kings 12 - Israel Divided

Solomon has gone to "sleep with his fathers" and Rehoboam, his son, is now king.  Apparently, Israel was not so enamored with King Solomon's power over them as one might suppose.  The people go to Rehoboam and ask him to lighten the yoke upon them.  But, King Rehoboam, in his arrogance will not.  Instead, he increases their yoke and the people rebel. 

The promise, the threat, that the LORD made to Solomon to divide the kingdom under his son's rule because of Solomon's disloyalty to God is fulfilled.  Israel is divided.  Rehoboam reigns in Jerusalem.  Only the tribe of Judah follows him.  Jeroboam becomes king over the rest of Israel. 

But, what is it that these kings with worshipping idols.  Jeroboam doesn't want the people to go to Jerusalem to worship because he's afraid their hearts might turn to Rehoboam.  So what does he do?  He builds 2 golden calves, 2 false gods, for them to worship.  Not good!  So what's to become of Jeroboam?  What's to become of the people who follow after him and his false gods?