May 30, 2006 - II Chronicles 10-12 and John 11:30-57
Rehoboam's life can teach us many things about leadership and following the Lord. Unfortunately, we learn from him, because he did it the wrong way. What about your life? Do people learn from you, because you have done things God's way, or do they see the results of doing things the wrong way? I believe God desires to help all of us do it His way the first time, if we will just listen to Him.
In chapter 10 Rehoboam did not consult the Lord, and he did not listen to his wise advisers, who had learned from his father's mistakes. He listened to his young friends and ignored the needs of the people. Therefore, the 10 northern tribes left him, and he reigned over only Judah and Benjamin. What a tragedy! If he had only prayed to God for guidance, he would have seen the right thing to do, and the kingdom would not have been split apart. That was one of the results of Solomon departing from God. His son did not know to consult God. He was following in the footsteps of his father. We need to consult God before any decision. We must not think we know best. We must not go to our friends who will just tell us what we want to hear. We must consider the needs of others, not just what we want. Rehoboam took the self-centered road to defeat.
Chapter 11 shows how God still directed Rehoboam even though he was not listening to him fully. He even blessed Rehoboam indirectly, because the priests and many righteous people came to live in Judah because of the Temple. Rehoboam may have taken credit for these things, but they were not because of him. He just continued doing things his own way by taking many wives and concubines. He remained oblivious to God's way. This is true of so many people today. They live in blessings that are not a result of their faithfulness, and they are satisfied with a life of self indulgence, when they could be having the full blessings of God.
In chapter 12 we are told that Rehoboam forsook the Law of God so much that God had to punish him by sending the armies of Egypt to attack Judah. To his credit he did repent, so God spared him the full brunt of his punishment. However, the bronze shields that we saw before were a constant reminder of his failure to receive the blessings of God. Do you have the gold in your life, or has it been taken away by the enemy? Are you trying to use the bronze and act like everything is OK? I urge you to learn these lessons from Rehoboam and turn completely to the Lord and His way.
As we finish reading about Lazarus, we are overwhelmed by Jesus' desire to show Himself powerful, so they would believe in Him once and for all. He is troubled by their lack of understanding. After all of the miracles He had done, why could they not believe that He could raise the dead, too? (v.40) Now, He would show them His glory. They rolled away the stone, and He raised the dead. Now, there was no doubt that He was God. If they did not believe, it was because of outright rebellion. There were still people who rejected Jesus that day, and there are still people who reject Jesus today, even though He has shown them His glory. My heart goes out to them, because they are so self deluded and lost. I pray that you are not in that category. If you are, please, turn to Jesus today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 13-14 and John 12:1-26. On Thursday I intend to read II Chronicles 15-16 and John 12:27-50.
In chapter 10 Rehoboam did not consult the Lord, and he did not listen to his wise advisers, who had learned from his father's mistakes. He listened to his young friends and ignored the needs of the people. Therefore, the 10 northern tribes left him, and he reigned over only Judah and Benjamin. What a tragedy! If he had only prayed to God for guidance, he would have seen the right thing to do, and the kingdom would not have been split apart. That was one of the results of Solomon departing from God. His son did not know to consult God. He was following in the footsteps of his father. We need to consult God before any decision. We must not think we know best. We must not go to our friends who will just tell us what we want to hear. We must consider the needs of others, not just what we want. Rehoboam took the self-centered road to defeat.
Chapter 11 shows how God still directed Rehoboam even though he was not listening to him fully. He even blessed Rehoboam indirectly, because the priests and many righteous people came to live in Judah because of the Temple. Rehoboam may have taken credit for these things, but they were not because of him. He just continued doing things his own way by taking many wives and concubines. He remained oblivious to God's way. This is true of so many people today. They live in blessings that are not a result of their faithfulness, and they are satisfied with a life of self indulgence, when they could be having the full blessings of God.
In chapter 12 we are told that Rehoboam forsook the Law of God so much that God had to punish him by sending the armies of Egypt to attack Judah. To his credit he did repent, so God spared him the full brunt of his punishment. However, the bronze shields that we saw before were a constant reminder of his failure to receive the blessings of God. Do you have the gold in your life, or has it been taken away by the enemy? Are you trying to use the bronze and act like everything is OK? I urge you to learn these lessons from Rehoboam and turn completely to the Lord and His way.
As we finish reading about Lazarus, we are overwhelmed by Jesus' desire to show Himself powerful, so they would believe in Him once and for all. He is troubled by their lack of understanding. After all of the miracles He had done, why could they not believe that He could raise the dead, too? (v.40) Now, He would show them His glory. They rolled away the stone, and He raised the dead. Now, there was no doubt that He was God. If they did not believe, it was because of outright rebellion. There were still people who rejected Jesus that day, and there are still people who reject Jesus today, even though He has shown them His glory. My heart goes out to them, because they are so self deluded and lost. I pray that you are not in that category. If you are, please, turn to Jesus today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 13-14 and John 12:1-26. On Thursday I intend to read II Chronicles 15-16 and John 12:27-50.