II Chronicles 12 (NIV)

Summary:

Shishak Attacks Jerusalem
Verses 1-16

Once Rehoboam's position as king over Judah was established, he and the kingdom abandoned God's law.  Because of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Shishak king of Egypt to attack and subdue Israel in Rehoboam's 5th year as king.  Shishak came with 1,200 chariots; 60,000 horsemen; and innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites.  He captured the fortified cities of Judah through Jerusalem.

The prophet Shemaiah told Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who had assembled in Jerusalem in fear of Shishak, that God said that since they'd abandoned Him, He'd abandoned them to Shishak.  The king and the leaders humbled themselves and claimed that God is just.  When God saw this, He told Shemaiah that because they'd humbled themselves, He would soon deliver them.  His wrath wouldn't be poured out on them through Shishak.  They would become subject to him, so they'd learn the difference between serving God and serving other kings.

Shishak took the treasures of the Lord's temple and of the palace, including Solomon's gold shields.  King Rehoboam made bronze ones for the guards on duty at the palace.  When the king would go to the temple, the guards bore these shields.  Afterwards, they would store the shields in the guardroom.

Because of Rehoboam's humility, God turned His anger from him.  Rehoboam was not totally destroyed.  There was still some good in Judah.  Rehoboam then re-established himself as king in Jerusalem.  He was 41 years old when he became king.  He reigned for 17 years in the city that the Lord had chosen to place His Name.  His mother was Naamah, an Ammonite.  Rehoboam had done evil because his heart was not set on seeking the Lord.  His other events are in the records of Shemaiah the prophet and Iddo the seer.  There was continual warfare between him and Jeroboam.  He rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.  Abijah, his son, became the next king.

Lori's Thoughts:

Continuously seeking God is what will keep us from falling out of step with Him.  I say again, this is why Christ must be our Master as well as Savior.

God is just.  Rehoboam was good to remember that when he received the punishment for his unfaithfulness.  People!  If bad things happen to you, it does not mean that God has stopped loving you!  Parents need to teach their children what choices will harm them, sometimes by allowing them to experience failure.  As soon as that child turns back to their parent, you better believe that parent was watching the whole time and has their arms ready to embrace their child when they come back.  This is how God educates, disciplines, and loves us.

I was reading my devotional the other day, and it made a very interesting point.  It asked the following questions:
Is it better for a parent to give a child whatever he or she asks for?  Or, should they give the child what will keep them safe and whole?
Similarly, would you prefer for God to give you all you ask for?  Or, would you rather He make sure you are saved?

Sometimes we need to be uncomfortable to be reminded that we need to cling to our heavenly Father.  We're human, so we screw up.  But, God is good.  He forgives us when we are sincere and confess our sins.

. . .

I like how it says that Rehoboam rested with his fathers.  It reminds me that there is more than life and death on earth.  We will rise at the sound of His voice and go to a place where we'll never be separated from Him again.