June 24: 2 Chronicles 10-12

June 24, 2 Chronicles 10-12

2 Chronicles 10 is very similar to what we studied yesterday in 1 Kings 12. However, what is customary to the Chronicler, he continues to tie David and Judah together. This is reminding his generation of their history and also the Chronicler also emphasizes that if there is obedience, there is blessing. If there is disobedience, there is not. God was fulfilling things the way He saw fit…

2 Chronicles 11 gives much more details than that of 1 Kings 14. In addition to what we studied yesterday, we learn that Rehoboam built multiple defense cities to fight off Jeroboam. The Levites ended up leaving their common lands and coming to Judah because Jeroboam and his sons cast them out because they were serving God (he appointed his own priests for his false gods…). Also, and believers in Yahweh made their way to Judah. This all went on for a period of 3 years (that is, 3 years the people were obedient).

The Chronicler adds in here that Rehoboam had 18 wives, 60 concubines and lots of sons and daughters. He appointed Abijah to be lead son, to take over the throne, and he provided greatly for all his kids that he had spread out in the defense cities. Smart military move. 

2 Chronicles 12 Once Rehoboam had things going good, he turned from the Lord and abandoned the law. Let this not be in your own life! In the 5th year of his reign, due to the peoples unfaithfulness, God brought in the King of Egypt to battle them. They had abandoned God, so it goes back to what the Chronicler emphasizes = Obey and there is blessing, Disobey and there is not. Well, after the Egyptian King came in and took over, they humbled themselves, and God relented from wiping them out, but made servants out of them. Rehoboam ended up dying and his legacy was that he did evil in the sight of the Lord.

To sum it all up:

• Like yesterday, if God gives instructions, obey - REGARDLESS.
• When things are going good - do not abandon the God the brought you to that point - that would be very foolish and arrogant. Instead, stay humble and praise God for the good in your life.