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SHISHAK ATTACKS JERUSALEM

2 Chron. 12:1-6

When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. (7, ESV)

Father God, help me receive one word this morning to begin this day newly. Bless our Spanish service and English service with your powerful words through P Ron and S Carlos. Guide me in all my ways, for I acknowledge you. Thank you for giving our family a new beginning. Bless Rich and Nathan and Paul my wonderful Bible students. Encourage each of them. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

First, Rehoboam became proud and abandoned God’s word (1-5). When Rehoboam was established and he became strong, he and all Israel abandoned the law of the LORD (1). The time of success is always the time of great temptation. In the time of success, we must acknowledge God and serve him all the more. But Rehoboam and all Israel forgot God and were unfaithful to the LORD. Because of this the LORD gave them training through Egypt. Shishak attacked Jerusalem. Shishak came with a great army of 12,000 chariots and 60,000 horsemen and innumerable troops including mercenaries. He captured the fortified cities of Judah as far as Jerusalem.

At this time, the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and rebuked him with God’s word. “‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’” It is not easy to rebuke a king but the prophet faithfully gave him God’s word. How did he respond?

Second, Rehoboam humbled himself along with the leaders of Israel (6-23). Amazingly, the king humbled himself along with the leaders around him. God saw their humbleness after hearing God’s word. We know Rehoboam was arrogant and caused the division of Israel because he was harsh. But here we see another side of the king. He could respond to God’s word with humble and contrite heart on occasion. When he did so, God immediately responded by delivering Judah. The word of God came to Shemaiah a second time. ⁷ When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. ⁸ They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”

God is very sensitive to our repentance. God could have destroyed Rehoboam for his previous arrogance but he chose to honor Rehoboam’s humble and repentant heart at this moment even though the king would later follow his mother who was an Ammonite and be unfaithful again. It shows how much God loves the repentant sinner. At the same time, God would also train them through making them subject to man so that they might know how much better it is to serve the LORD.  God’s training is the expression of his love.

Am I like Rehoboam? At times, yes I am arrogant and foolish. I don’t always listen to God’s word or good advice. But I can choose to humble myself and listen to God’s word today.  

Lord, help me to listen to your word and follow your leading in my life of faith. So many people depend on me for encouragement and direction including my family. Lord, help me to set a good example for my sons Paul and John and be a father-like shepherd for them. Help me to always have a humble learning mind. Bless today to be a day of true rest in your word. Bless all your people especially Buenos Aires UBF with your word. Give your word to M Marcos Kim and all our coworkers. Bless one family in Sudan with your protection. Bless another family to attend the ME conference. O Lord, please guide me in my new missionary life. Guide through the door that you have opened for me. I humbly seek your guidance to choose what is best over what is better. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word: Be humble and obey God’s word!