Pam Padgett ... teacher
When Rehoboam was established to reign over Judah and he had
strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord. As a result, the
king of Egypt took the fenced cities of Judah and came to Jerusalem ...
2 Chronicles 12:12 1 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had
established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the
law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. 2 And it came to pass, that in
the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against
Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD, 3 With twelve
hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were
without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the
Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. 4 And he took the fenced cities which
pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
The prophet Shemaiah was sent to tell Rehoboam that because he had
forsaken God, God had left him in the hand of the king of Egypt. When
they heard the message Shemaiah delivered, Rehoboam and the princes of
Israel humbled themselves before God.
2 Chronicles 12:5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and
to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem
because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have
forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. 6
Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and
they said, The LORD is righteous.
When God saw that they humbled
themselves, God did not destroy them, but they were made to be servants
of the king of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 12:7 And when the LORD saw that they
humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They
have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will
grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon
Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. 8 Nevertheless they shall be his
servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms
of the countries.
Though Rehoboam humbled himself before God when destruction by the hand
of the king of Egypt was near, we are told the following about him ...
2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
How important it is to set God above all else in our hearts. To seek to know what He wants us to do in all of our
ways, and to go in the way shown to us by Holy Spirit. Trusting in God, not in ourselves or in anyone else.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and
depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy
bones.