Prayer over Weapons

The reign of Rehoboam was marked by wisdom and insight in the early years. Because of this, he grew strong and was established as a mighty ruler. But as is the case with much of the human race, success often breeds complacency and spiritual compromise. 

2 Chronicles 12:1–3 (ESV) When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. 2 In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem 3 with 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him from Egypt—Libyans, Sukkiim, and Ethiopians.

Notice how quickly the judgment comes. It's only the 5th year of Rehoboam's reign and the Lord allows Shishak of Egypt to come and decimate the people of Israel. In case there was any wonder as to why this was happening, the Lord sends a prophet to confirm it:
2 Chronicles 12:5 (ESV) Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’ ”

The nation repents in the next verse:
2 Chronicles 12:6 (ESV) Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous.”

Notice how the princes and king repent. The whole royal family turns back to God and immediately the Lord responds mercifully and lovingly to their repentance. 
2 Chronicles 12:7–8 (ESV) 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. 8 Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”

Now, this act on the Lord's part is important. We see the Lord's determination to both deliver and disciple the people. He will not let NOTHING happen to them. He gives them a taste of serving the king of Egypt in order that they might know the bondage sin leads to. The last line in verse 8: "that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries".

The Lord will discipline those he loves. The question is, will we get the message? Sadly, Rehoboam only partially understands what's going on. His heart is still drawn to the power of money and weapons. After Shishak takes the gold shields that Solomon had made it says Rehoboam replaced them with bronze shields. It is sort of funny. 

Further, Rehoboam was so tied to weaponry he made certain these less splendid shields were stored away safely:
2 Chronicles 12:11 (ESV) And as often as the king went into the house of the LORD, the guard came and carried them and brought them back to the guardroom.

Rehoboam seeks the Lord in humility but still wants to cling to weaponry. He is a picture of the carnal Christian who God calls to prayer but keeps seeking the power of worldly structures for success. There is no problem with using worldly structures, but there is a problem with seeing them as our very life. God will establish Rehoboam and bless Israel during his reign but his life seeds into the kingdom a cancerous trust in money and power. If we read the story of Rehoboam rightly, we do well to realize the power of humility and prayer over sword and shield.

May we learn from his mistake and do what Isaiah calls on us to do:
Isaiah 55:6 (ESV) “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;


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