Abandoning God
I continued my reading today in II Chronicles 12 with the story of King Rehoboam, Solomon's son and heir to the throne of Israel. In Chapter 12:1 Rehoboam is well established as king, "he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD." Shishak, king of Egypt, attacks Jerusalem with thousands of chariots and horsemen. The prophet, Shemaiah, tells Rehoboam, "This is what the LORD says, 'You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.'" (II Chronicles 12:5)
Realizing what they had done and why they were under attack verse 6, "The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is just.'" The Lord in His awesome mercy then relents due to their humility and does not destroy them, but in verse 8 God says, "They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands." Then King Shishak of Egypt carries off the treasures of the temple of the LORD as well as their gold shields and other holy valuables.
In II Chronicles 12:14, the Chronicler notes the reason King Rehoboam abandoned God, "He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD." This is the age -old story of the human race, is it not? We become successful at something, puff up in pride, decide we no longer need God and so He obliges, and removes His covering from us. We then come under attack from the enemy, make a stupid mistake and ruin our lives or livelihoods and then cry out to God to forgive us and help us. And guess what? He does come to our rescue, but already the enemy has carried away our precious valuables whether closeness with God, spouses, family or friends.
Our choice to abandon God, set our hearts on things other than God, always leads to separation from God and the people or things we love.
Realizing what they had done and why they were under attack verse 6, "The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is just.'" The Lord in His awesome mercy then relents due to their humility and does not destroy them, but in verse 8 God says, "They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands." Then King Shishak of Egypt carries off the treasures of the temple of the LORD as well as their gold shields and other holy valuables.
In II Chronicles 12:14, the Chronicler notes the reason King Rehoboam abandoned God, "He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD." This is the age -old story of the human race, is it not? We become successful at something, puff up in pride, decide we no longer need God and so He obliges, and removes His covering from us. We then come under attack from the enemy, make a stupid mistake and ruin our lives or livelihoods and then cry out to God to forgive us and help us. And guess what? He does come to our rescue, but already the enemy has carried away our precious valuables whether closeness with God, spouses, family or friends.
Our choice to abandon God, set our hearts on things other than God, always leads to separation from God and the people or things we love.
The top of an ancient column in Bet She'an, Israel which was once ruled by the Egyptians and later King David conquered the city.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
In this earth suit, it's so easy to get caught up in that prideful self which God so hates. Only when we humble ourselves before the Lord can we then have right standing with Him. I need to bow down so He can lift me up through His power and will. Thanks for the lesson and reminder Kate. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteNow help me remember it, over and over again!
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