2 Chronicles 30
KingComments2 Chronicles 30:1
Family and Reign of Rehoboam
Rehoboam falls into the same error as his father by taking many wives (2 Chronicles 11:18-21). The son of his favorite wife Maacah, Abijah, is appointed by him as his successor to the throne (2 Chronicles 11:22). In preparation for this he appoints him as head and leader among his brothers.
In spite of his sins, the Holy Spirit mentions of him that he also deals wisely with his sons (2 Chronicles 11:23). It is wise of him to spread his many sons over the whole people. This prevents them from arguing with each other. He gives each one his own task with his own responsibilities. If everyone fills it up and is working on it, they also don’t have time, for example, to present themselves as rivals of Abijah whom he has destined to be his successor.
2 Chronicles 30:2
Family and Reign of Rehoboam
Rehoboam falls into the same error as his father by taking many wives (2 Chronicles 11:18-21). The son of his favorite wife Maacah, Abijah, is appointed by him as his successor to the throne (2 Chronicles 11:22). In preparation for this he appoints him as head and leader among his brothers.
In spite of his sins, the Holy Spirit mentions of him that he also deals wisely with his sons (2 Chronicles 11:23). It is wise of him to spread his many sons over the whole people. This prevents them from arguing with each other. He gives each one his own task with his own responsibilities. If everyone fills it up and is working on it, they also don’t have time, for example, to present themselves as rivals of Abijah whom he has destined to be his successor.
2 Chronicles 30:3
Family and Reign of Rehoboam
Rehoboam falls into the same error as his father by taking many wives (2 Chronicles 11:18-21). The son of his favorite wife Maacah, Abijah, is appointed by him as his successor to the throne (2 Chronicles 11:22). In preparation for this he appoints him as head and leader among his brothers.
In spite of his sins, the Holy Spirit mentions of him that he also deals wisely with his sons (2 Chronicles 11:23). It is wise of him to spread his many sons over the whole people. This prevents them from arguing with each other. He gives each one his own task with his own responsibilities. If everyone fills it up and is working on it, they also don’t have time, for example, to present themselves as rivals of Abijah whom he has destined to be his successor.
2 Chronicles 30:4
Family and Reign of Rehoboam
Rehoboam falls into the same error as his father by taking many wives (2 Chronicles 11:18-21). The son of his favorite wife Maacah, Abijah, is appointed by him as his successor to the throne (2 Chronicles 11:22). In preparation for this he appoints him as head and leader among his brothers.
In spite of his sins, the Holy Spirit mentions of him that he also deals wisely with his sons (2 Chronicles 11:23). It is wise of him to spread his many sons over the whole people. This prevents them from arguing with each other. He gives each one his own task with his own responsibilities. If everyone fills it up and is working on it, they also don’t have time, for example, to present themselves as rivals of Abijah whom he has destined to be his successor.
2 Chronicles 30:6
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:7
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:8
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:9
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:10
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:11
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:12
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:13
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:14
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:15
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:16
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:17
Introduction
What is described in this chapter resembles what we have come across in the book of Judges again and again. Time and again we find there how 1. the people leave the LORD first; 2. then He delivers them into the hand of an enemy; 3. then Israel humbles themselves when they hear from a prophet why it has happened, 4. after which God provides a solution.
The LORD Hands Over Israel to Egypt
Rehoboam is not a wise son. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son” (Proverbs 28:7), but Rehoboam forsakes “the law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:1). Although he finds himself in the place where the LORD dwells and where true priestly service takes place, this does not appear to be a guarantee that he cannot deny that place. Knowing the place at the altar – for us that is the Lord’s Table – is no guarantee of faithfulness. “All Israel” – that is only Judah here, because that is true Israel for God – follows its leader on the wrong path. Spiritual leaders have an enormous responsibility.
It went well for three years (2 Chronicles 11:17) because he listened to the LORD. When he has been in power for five years, things go wrong (2 Chronicles 12:2). How briefly lessons from the past determine our actions. When three good years are over, the LORD must turn His hand against the people two years later.
The world enters the heart that has lost contact with the power of God. The enemy comes toward Rehoboam massively (2 Chronicles 12:3). Deviation from God allows the enemy massively to attack the people of God. The world has gained massively access to the church through its unfaithfulness. All the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:4) he built earlier (2 Chronicles 11:5-12) avail him nothing. He who deviates from the LORD, loses all his earlier built-up spiritual strength.
To exclude any misunderstanding about the reason for this submission, God sends a prophet, a man of God (2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 11:2), who explains the cause of this discipline. The prophet comes when the entire government is considering the crisis, possibly to discuss how to dispose of their enemy with human resources. So, today too, there are many deliberations taking place, looking only at one’s own means, without going into God’s presence to ask Him why this happens. Shishak was able to invade Judah, not because the border control had failed, but because God had sent him. This is because they have forsaken Him and He must forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:16-17).
The word of the prophet and the discipline of God are humbling (2 Chronicles 12:6). God is righteous in His actions. After this acknowledgment God makes Himself known as a God of mercy and grace. The prophet has spoken God’s word, and that has hit target. God acknowledges their humiliation and promises salvation (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet conversion is only partial, not with the whole heart. This is why God does not completely take away the discipline, but limits it.
They will have to feel what it is like to abandon the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:8). This is His love. He speaks of “My service”. His service is a pleasant service, for it is pleasant and a benefit for the believing soul to serve Him. The worship service to God, the presenting of the body “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), is the greatest joy for the heart of the believer.
On the other hand there is “the service of the kingdoms of the countries”, which is the hard slave service under heathen monarchs. God makes them feel this service so that they may come to a true confession (cf. Hosea 2:7). They will then experience that serving God makes free and rich, while serving the nations makes them prisoners and poor.
In His wisdom the LORD allows the enemy to take with him all the treasures that David by war and Solomon by trade have acquired (2 Chronicles 12:9). The golden shields, which speak of Divine protection, are taken away. Rehoboam does not fully comply with the discipline of the LORD. He makes fake shields (2 Chronicles 12:10-11). He wants to have his shields to go to the house of the LORD in glory, just like his father Solomon did in the past (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
In this action we see in the picture what unfaithfulness can lead to. Unfaithfulness leads to a pitiful imitation of the glory that Rehoboam once possessed in reality, but is now lost, while he wants to hold on to it. A semblance of spirituality is held. It is the attitude of “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” while one is blind to the actual state “and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Once again the Spirit of God mentions that because of the humiliation of Rehoboam the LORD turns His anger away from him and does not destroy him completely (2 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chronicles 12:7). This repetition shows how much value God attaches to humiliation and how He likes to turn His anger away.
“And also conditions were good in Judah.” This seems to contradict what is said in 1 Kings about the depraved spiritual state of Judah (1 Kings 14:22). However, there is no such contradiction. In the greatest terror of sin, the LORD sees the hearts that remain faithful to Him. We depreciate a church because of something bad and forget the good that is there. Paul does not depreciate the church in Corinth just like that. He admonishes them precisely because he recognizes them as the church of God.
2 Chronicles 30:18
Reign of Rehoboam and His Death
Rehoboam can strengthen his position because Jerusalem is “the city which the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there” (2 Chronicles 12:13). However, Rehoboam does not take this into account, but follows his own heart (2 Chronicles 12:14). The origin of any deviation lies in the choice on which heart is put. If this is not the LORD, every form of evil is possible.
One of those evil consequences is that there is constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 12:15). What remains of his earlier obedience to the LORD not to go up against Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 11:4)? Perhaps we should not immediately think of large-scale warfare, but rather of constant border clashes.
When Rehoboam dies, he leaves behind no land where it is good to live. He has not brought the people back to the LORD. His son Abijah becomes king in his place. Will he do better than his father? A new ruler often gives hope for improvement, but time and again people are disappointed in their expectations. Only when the great Son of David comes to power there will be endless peace.
2 Chronicles 30:19
Reign of Rehoboam and His Death
Rehoboam can strengthen his position because Jerusalem is “the city which the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there” (2 Chronicles 12:13). However, Rehoboam does not take this into account, but follows his own heart (2 Chronicles 12:14). The origin of any deviation lies in the choice on which heart is put. If this is not the LORD, every form of evil is possible.
One of those evil consequences is that there is constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 12:15). What remains of his earlier obedience to the LORD not to go up against Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 11:4)? Perhaps we should not immediately think of large-scale warfare, but rather of constant border clashes.
When Rehoboam dies, he leaves behind no land where it is good to live. He has not brought the people back to the LORD. His son Abijah becomes king in his place. Will he do better than his father? A new ruler often gives hope for improvement, but time and again people are disappointed in their expectations. Only when the great Son of David comes to power there will be endless peace.
2 Chronicles 30:20
Reign of Rehoboam and His Death
Rehoboam can strengthen his position because Jerusalem is “the city which the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there” (2 Chronicles 12:13). However, Rehoboam does not take this into account, but follows his own heart (2 Chronicles 12:14). The origin of any deviation lies in the choice on which heart is put. If this is not the LORD, every form of evil is possible.
One of those evil consequences is that there is constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 12:15). What remains of his earlier obedience to the LORD not to go up against Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 11:4)? Perhaps we should not immediately think of large-scale warfare, but rather of constant border clashes.
When Rehoboam dies, he leaves behind no land where it is good to live. He has not brought the people back to the LORD. His son Abijah becomes king in his place. Will he do better than his father? A new ruler often gives hope for improvement, but time and again people are disappointed in their expectations. Only when the great Son of David comes to power there will be endless peace.
2 Chronicles 30:21
Reign of Rehoboam and His Death
Rehoboam can strengthen his position because Jerusalem is “the city which the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there” (2 Chronicles 12:13). However, Rehoboam does not take this into account, but follows his own heart (2 Chronicles 12:14). The origin of any deviation lies in the choice on which heart is put. If this is not the LORD, every form of evil is possible.
One of those evil consequences is that there is constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 12:15). What remains of his earlier obedience to the LORD not to go up against Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 11:4)? Perhaps we should not immediately think of large-scale warfare, but rather of constant border clashes.
When Rehoboam dies, he leaves behind no land where it is good to live. He has not brought the people back to the LORD. His son Abijah becomes king in his place. Will he do better than his father? A new ruler often gives hope for improvement, but time and again people are disappointed in their expectations. Only when the great Son of David comes to power there will be endless peace.
2 Chronicles 30:23
Introduction
It is worth remembering that here we still find principles related to the kingdom of God, as it is in the present dispensation to people and what they have done with it. We see what the kings do with their responsibility. We see in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles what the grace of God brings about despite the failure. Restoration is always the result of that grace through which God maintains His work. We see this principle clearly in this chapter.
War Between Abijah and Jeroboam
Abijah becomes king (2 Chronicles 13:1). This is not because he is appointed by the LORD – as is the case with David and Solomon – but because his father has appointed him (2 Chronicles 11:22). Although he was not appointed by the LORD, we see that God fulfills His plan through all human actions and thus maintains the kingship of the house of David. He does so in view of the great Son of David.
Abijah reigns for three years (2 Chronicles 13:2), from 913-911 BC. In 1 Kings 15 we also have the history of Abijah (his name means ‘Yahweh is my Father’). There – he is called there Abijam – the emphasis is on the evil character of Abijah. There we see that his heart does not have the right mind (1 Kings 15:3). We do not read there about his battle with Jeroboam, which is being measured out broadly here.
What the LORD has forbidden his father Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:1-4), Abijah does: he begins the battle with Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:3). He does not resign himself to a situation of which the LORD said it came from Him (1 Chronicles 11:4). So when he begins the battle with Jeroboam, he does something for which he has not received a commission from the LORD. Nor are we called upon to fight against fellow Christians to subjugate them to us. We must defend the truth, but not impose it. Our struggle is a defensive struggle, not an offensive one.
The force ratio between the two armies Isaiah 1 to 2 (cf. Luke 14:31). Any thinking should have stopped Abijah from that battle. After all, he will lose hopelessly if he relies on his own strength. He only sees his desperate situation when Jeroboam has enclosed him (2 Chronicles 13:13). Then he calls to the LORD.
2 Chronicles 30:24
Introduction
It is worth remembering that here we still find principles related to the kingdom of God, as it is in the present dispensation to people and what they have done with it. We see what the kings do with their responsibility. We see in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles what the grace of God brings about despite the failure. Restoration is always the result of that grace through which God maintains His work. We see this principle clearly in this chapter.
War Between Abijah and Jeroboam
Abijah becomes king (2 Chronicles 13:1). This is not because he is appointed by the LORD – as is the case with David and Solomon – but because his father has appointed him (2 Chronicles 11:22). Although he was not appointed by the LORD, we see that God fulfills His plan through all human actions and thus maintains the kingship of the house of David. He does so in view of the great Son of David.
Abijah reigns for three years (2 Chronicles 13:2), from 913-911 BC. In 1 Kings 15 we also have the history of Abijah (his name means ‘Yahweh is my Father’). There – he is called there Abijam – the emphasis is on the evil character of Abijah. There we see that his heart does not have the right mind (1 Kings 15:3). We do not read there about his battle with Jeroboam, which is being measured out broadly here.
What the LORD has forbidden his father Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:1-4), Abijah does: he begins the battle with Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:3). He does not resign himself to a situation of which the LORD said it came from Him (1 Chronicles 11:4). So when he begins the battle with Jeroboam, he does something for which he has not received a commission from the LORD. Nor are we called upon to fight against fellow Christians to subjugate them to us. We must defend the truth, but not impose it. Our struggle is a defensive struggle, not an offensive one.
The force ratio between the two armies Isaiah 1 to 2 (cf. Luke 14:31). Any thinking should have stopped Abijah from that battle. After all, he will lose hopelessly if he relies on his own strength. He only sees his desperate situation when Jeroboam has enclosed him (2 Chronicles 13:13). Then he calls to the LORD.
2 Chronicles 30:25
Introduction
It is worth remembering that here we still find principles related to the kingdom of God, as it is in the present dispensation to people and what they have done with it. We see what the kings do with their responsibility. We see in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles what the grace of God brings about despite the failure. Restoration is always the result of that grace through which God maintains His work. We see this principle clearly in this chapter.
War Between Abijah and Jeroboam
Abijah becomes king (2 Chronicles 13:1). This is not because he is appointed by the LORD – as is the case with David and Solomon – but because his father has appointed him (2 Chronicles 11:22). Although he was not appointed by the LORD, we see that God fulfills His plan through all human actions and thus maintains the kingship of the house of David. He does so in view of the great Son of David.
Abijah reigns for three years (2 Chronicles 13:2), from 913-911 BC. In 1 Kings 15 we also have the history of Abijah (his name means ‘Yahweh is my Father’). There – he is called there Abijam – the emphasis is on the evil character of Abijah. There we see that his heart does not have the right mind (1 Kings 15:3). We do not read there about his battle with Jeroboam, which is being measured out broadly here.
What the LORD has forbidden his father Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:1-4), Abijah does: he begins the battle with Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:3). He does not resign himself to a situation of which the LORD said it came from Him (1 Chronicles 11:4). So when he begins the battle with Jeroboam, he does something for which he has not received a commission from the LORD. Nor are we called upon to fight against fellow Christians to subjugate them to us. We must defend the truth, but not impose it. Our struggle is a defensive struggle, not an offensive one.
The force ratio between the two armies Isaiah 1 to 2 (cf. Luke 14:31). Any thinking should have stopped Abijah from that battle. After all, he will lose hopelessly if he relies on his own strength. He only sees his desperate situation when Jeroboam has enclosed him (2 Chronicles 13:13). Then he calls to the LORD.
2 Chronicles 30:26
Abijah’s Speech to Israel
Before the battle begins, Abijah tries to convince his opponent that he has the right on his side. He does so by means of a speech he gives while standing on Mount Zemaraim. We can therefore call it a ‘sermon on the mount’. He addresses “Jeroboam and all Israel”. He speaks to Jeroboam in the first place, but the whole of Israel must hear it. The speech he gives seems to be propaganda for the imminent battle. What he says must justify the battle he wants to wage.
His speech is special. Its content is largely in accordance with the truth. Unfortunately, for Abijah, this is only an external matter. He uses religious arguments to pursue his own political goals. His speech comes down to the fact that he and his people are the faithful and Jeroboam and his people the apostate. This pretense can be heard in the contrast of “you” (2 Chronicles 13:8-9) on the one hand and “we” and “us” (2 Chronicles 13:10-12) on the other.
Abijah points to:
-
The salt covenant with David. God gave him and his sons after him the kingship of the twelve tribes (2 Chronicles 13:5). Salt covenant means that it is an eternal covenant (Numbers 18:19b). What Abijah says is true, but at the same time it is an accusation against himself, because he himself does not take this covenant into account.
-
The revolt of Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:6). Abijah humiliates Jeroboam in his indictment of him and does not do justice to the matter, for God has promised Jeroboam the kingdom.
-
The weakness of his father (2 Chronicles 13:7). He seems to suggest that while his father may have been too weak to defeat Jeroboam – as if God’s will did not underlie his father’s decision not to fight –, Jeroboam now faces a man of a different caliber, someone who is strong enough.
-
The introduction of idolatry by Jeroboam and making an own priestly service (2 Chronicles 13:8-9). What Abijah says about it is true.
-
The true priestly service (2 Chronicles 13:10-11). Regardless of Abijah’s person and mind, he gives a magnificent summary of the contents of the true priestly service. From his mouth it unfortunately sounds like “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), because he lacks love for the LORD.
-
God is with them at their head. He claims the presence of God here, without considering what his own attitude toward God should be. Instead of that humbling him, his language sounds like the language of the Pharisee who also speaks highly of his relationship to God and claims God for himself (Luke 18:11-12).
What Abijah says may all be so true, but it sounds like the “deceptive words” in the days of Jeremiah, when people boast in the same way and say: “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the LORD” (Jeremiah 7:4). What is such a confession worth if the heart is not connected to it? The service of Jeroboam is reprehensible. Abijah’s pretense is equally reprehensible. He boasts about the LORD’s service, but his heart is far from Him.
While Abijah gives his pompous speech and the arrogant “but as for us, … we have not forsaken Him” (2 Chronicles 13:10) sounds from his mouth, the people of which he is king, sacrifice to the idols. That turns out when his son Asa becomes king. For immediately after his appointment King Asa holds a clean-up action and “removed the foreign altars and high places” (2 Chronicles 14:3). How does Abijah dare to speak so high and mighty, when there is so much idolatry in Judah at that moment?
Abijah’s statement “the LORD is our God” (2 Chronicles 13:10) is a moderation against the background of the sins in which he himself lives (1 Kings 15:3) and the idolatry committed by the people. He praises orthodoxy and tradition, but life out of and with God is strange to him. He uses the dedication of others – priests and Levites who faithfully perform their task – to maintain himself and claim the right to fight the right battle.
The fact that God is at the head (2 Chronicles 13:12) may indicate that he still trusts God for the victory (cf. Deuteronomy 20:4). However, it is not trust from a personal faith in the power God. It is very similar to the pretense of Hophni and Phinehas, who claim the ark – the symbol of the presence of the LORD – for their position and take it with them as a mascot in the battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:3-5).
In summary, we can say that Abijah points to 1. the false leadership of Jeroboam in the northern realm (2 Chronicles 13:6), 2. a false company (2 Chronicles 13:7), 3. false gods (2 Chronicles 13:8), 4. false priests (2 Chronicles 13:9) in contrast with 1. true priests (2 Chronicles 13:10), 2. true service (2 Chronicles 13:11) and 3. true Divine authority (2 Chronicles 13:12).
2 Chronicles 30:27
Abijah’s Speech to Israel
Before the battle begins, Abijah tries to convince his opponent that he has the right on his side. He does so by means of a speech he gives while standing on Mount Zemaraim. We can therefore call it a ‘sermon on the mount’. He addresses “Jeroboam and all Israel”. He speaks to Jeroboam in the first place, but the whole of Israel must hear it. The speech he gives seems to be propaganda for the imminent battle. What he says must justify the battle he wants to wage.
His speech is special. Its content is largely in accordance with the truth. Unfortunately, for Abijah, this is only an external matter. He uses religious arguments to pursue his own political goals. His speech comes down to the fact that he and his people are the faithful and Jeroboam and his people the apostate. This pretense can be heard in the contrast of “you” (2 Chronicles 13:8-9) on the one hand and “we” and “us” (2 Chronicles 13:10-12) on the other.
Abijah points to:
-
The salt covenant with David. God gave him and his sons after him the kingship of the twelve tribes (2 Chronicles 13:5). Salt covenant means that it is an eternal covenant (Numbers 18:19b). What Abijah says is true, but at the same time it is an accusation against himself, because he himself does not take this covenant into account.
-
The revolt of Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:6). Abijah humiliates Jeroboam in his indictment of him and does not do justice to the matter, for God has promised Jeroboam the kingdom.
-
The weakness of his father (2 Chronicles 13:7). He seems to suggest that while his father may have been too weak to defeat Jeroboam – as if God’s will did not underlie his father’s decision not to fight –, Jeroboam now faces a man of a different caliber, someone who is strong enough.
-
The introduction of idolatry by Jeroboam and making an own priestly service (2 Chronicles 13:8-9). What Abijah says about it is true.
-
The true priestly service (2 Chronicles 13:10-11). Regardless of Abijah’s person and mind, he gives a magnificent summary of the contents of the true priestly service. From his mouth it unfortunately sounds like “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), because he lacks love for the LORD.
-
God is with them at their head. He claims the presence of God here, without considering what his own attitude toward God should be. Instead of that humbling him, his language sounds like the language of the Pharisee who also speaks highly of his relationship to God and claims God for himself (Luke 18:11-12).
What Abijah says may all be so true, but it sounds like the “deceptive words” in the days of Jeremiah, when people boast in the same way and say: “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the LORD” (Jeremiah 7:4). What is such a confession worth if the heart is not connected to it? The service of Jeroboam is reprehensible. Abijah’s pretense is equally reprehensible. He boasts about the LORD’s service, but his heart is far from Him.
While Abijah gives his pompous speech and the arrogant “but as for us, … we have not forsaken Him” (2 Chronicles 13:10) sounds from his mouth, the people of which he is king, sacrifice to the idols. That turns out when his son Asa becomes king. For immediately after his appointment King Asa holds a clean-up action and “removed the foreign altars and high places” (2 Chronicles 14:3). How does Abijah dare to speak so high and mighty, when there is so much idolatry in Judah at that moment?
Abijah’s statement “the LORD is our God” (2 Chronicles 13:10) is a moderation against the background of the sins in which he himself lives (1 Kings 15:3) and the idolatry committed by the people. He praises orthodoxy and tradition, but life out of and with God is strange to him. He uses the dedication of others – priests and Levites who faithfully perform their task – to maintain himself and claim the right to fight the right battle.
The fact that God is at the head (2 Chronicles 13:12) may indicate that he still trusts God for the victory (cf. Deuteronomy 20:4). However, it is not trust from a personal faith in the power God. It is very similar to the pretense of Hophni and Phinehas, who claim the ark – the symbol of the presence of the LORD – for their position and take it with them as a mascot in the battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:3-5).
In summary, we can say that Abijah points to 1. the false leadership of Jeroboam in the northern realm (2 Chronicles 13:6), 2. a false company (2 Chronicles 13:7), 3. false gods (2 Chronicles 13:8), 4. false priests (2 Chronicles 13:9) in contrast with 1. true priests (2 Chronicles 13:10), 2. true service (2 Chronicles 13:11) and 3. true Divine authority (2 Chronicles 13:12).