Son, Son, What Are You Doing?

O. T. #952  "Son, Son, What Are You Doing?
April 3, 2017
2 Chronicles 12


LET IT GLOW

Son, son, what are you doing? I wonder if Rehoboam's mother asked him that question. Maybe she did, maybe not, or perhaps she was already dead by this time. We don't know the answer. However, she wad named Naaamah and an Ammonite.
You may wonder why do I think she would she have asked that. Here's why:

• Well, for one thing, we read of his polygamy back in chapter 11, where he married two cousins, and ended up having 1 wives and 60 concubines, who gave birth to 28 sons and 60 daughters. Although it was a sign of wealth and importance in the world at that time, polygamy was against God's laws.
• Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king of Judah, and reigned 17 years in Jerusalem.
• During his reign, Judah built pagan shrines and set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under ever green tree. (They even had prostitutes, both male and female.)
• They did evil (idolatry) in the Lord's sight and provoked His anger due to their sin.
• Rehoboam was an evil king, for he did not seek the LORD with all his heart.

Now, do you see what I mean? J. Vernon McGee enlightens us:
Rehoboam's mother was an Ammonite.
David had been very friendly with the Ammonites, although they had made war against him. Rehoboam was the grandson of David. She undoubtedly had something to do with the character of this man. Also, she is mentioned in 1 Kings14. Should she bear part of the responsibility for the way her son turned out? If he was a good king, she would have been proud to share in the credit for the way he turned out; If he was an evil king, she must bear part of the blame. (Note, we are responsible for our own actions.)

How are our children turning out? Have they taken on our good or bad ways?


LET IT GROW

God brought judgment upon Judah by allowing the Egyptians to conquer them. As Jerusalem was attacked, so was the Temple and the palace, along with their wealth.
King Shishak of Egypt ransacked the treasuries of the LORD's Temple and the royal palace; he stole everything, including the golden shields.
What a humbling experience for the king. He had only known wealth and luxury, expecting it to go on.

In verse 12, we read of Rehoboam's repentance and God's grace, resulting in Judah not being destroyed. When we leave God out of our lives, we loose more spiritually than we could ever gain financially.

What a tragic story-Rehobom did not determine in his heart to seek the Lord. Although, God's grace is available when we turn away from God and enter a sinful lifestyle. That is good news!

LET IT GO

Live by faith, not by sight.

Seek God with all my heart.

Repent whenever I sin.