HOW TO AVOID A HEART ATTACK
2 Chronicles 10-12
Every year we make our visit to the doctor. (Some go a lot more than that!)
One of his main concerns is the condition of our heart.
He checks specific areas of concern:
1. Normal blood pressure?
2. Not smoking?
3. Cholesterol level normal?
4. Excessive weight?
& other specific tests
On the basis of those signs, we’re judged to be "Low risk"
Actually, I’m no longer judged “low risk.” –Our AGE alone makes us “high risk!”
I’ve tried exercise, but it never lowers that risk factor a bit!
Some of the “risk factors “ that began to surface during Solomon's reign
aren't even mentioned in Chronicles– until after his death.
When the writer reflects on the long-term effects of his reign on God's people,
he looks back on Solomon's reign; its results are impressive:
Great wisdom & great literature People following The Lord
Great wealth THE TEMPLE–beautiful place to worship!
Enlarged borders TEMPLE WORSHIP
Great worship! –God Himself was present among them!
Everything looked great! Just what the people wanted!
However, Rehoboam leaves a different impression:
His reign is evil from God's point of view.
Therefore, the author exposes his weaknesses to public view.
But his dad bears some of the blame-he’s the one who starts it all.
Their domestic & religious problems start with Solomon.
Their national problems of servitude and taxes begin with Solomon
BUT, Rehoboam's reign carries the scars-that's where you see the fruit!
[ The problem shows up at Rehoboam’s inauguration: ]
REBELLION OF THE NORTHERN TRIBES 10:1-11:4
Israel's petition 10:1-4
When Solomon dies, the majority assumes that his son Rehoboam will become king.
Therefore they all go to Shechem to crown him king.
When they arrive, there’s a dissident element in the crowd.
Jeroboam comes back from Egypt to lead a movement against him.
God has already revealed His plan that Jeroboam should become king over the 10 northern tribes after Solomon's death (1 Ki. 11:26-40).
He shows up at Rehoboam's coronation ceremony as the hero of the oppressed masses of Israel.
They come with their complaint that Solomon has made their life too hard, imposing a heavy load of forced labor and charging high taxes.
So, they ask for relief. 10:4
Rehoboam's rejection 10:5-15
He talks it over with his advisers.
10:6-7 The elders "who served his father Solomon..."
The elders counsel him to grant the popular request.
If he proves he cares, and is anxious to please them,
he can count on popular support.
However, this is a new generation of leadership,
Rehoboam wants to hear the counsel of his younger advisers.
10:8-9 The young men "grew up with him and served HIM".
They respond impulsively and strongly: 10:10-11
He should take the reins firmly and not give in at all!
You have to show them who's boss!
Rehoboam responds harshly and informs them that he’s going to be even tougher than his dad. 10:13-14a, 15
God caused this reaction to fulfill Ahijah's prophecy.
God revealed to the prophet his plan to take the kingdom away from Solomon, except for the tribes of Judah and Benjamin,
because of his idolatry and disobedience 1 Ki. 11:29-39
Israel's rebellion 10:16-19
When the people realize that Rehoboam isn't going to pay attention to them, they decide to break off and form their own government.
They will no longer remain loyal to David and his descendants.
Thus Rehoboam only rules Judah and the surrounding area.
Rehoboam's attempted restoration 11:1-4
Rehoboam organizes his forces to try to obligate the other tribes to reunite with them. 11:1
While they’re getting ready to attack, God warns them to turn back. 11:2-4
God stops the attempt!
He has provoked this division and they’d better not try to stop it.
They decide they better take his advice and go home.
CONSOLIDATION OF THE SOUTHERN TRIBES 11:5-23
Rehoboam begins to consolidate his kingdom.
Fortification of the cities 11:5-12 11:5, 11-12
Provisions for the priests and Levites 11:13-15
Why? Background: 1 Ki. 12:25-33
To assure that his people aren't encouraged to move back to the south
because of loyalty to the temple,
Jeroboam sets up worship centers in his territory.
He names priests that aren't from the tribe of Levi
and establishes new religious holidays according to his own plan
Although these decisions disobey God's clearly revealed will,
he doesn’t turn away from Yahweh to follow other gods.
His sin is worshiping God his own way,
while turning from what God has established.
Had he followed The Lord's plan faithfully,
God would have taken care of the loyalty of the people.
In 1 Kings 11:38, God promises to give him an enduring throne in Israel,
just as he did for David in Judah.
God can handle the problems of loyalty.
But, Jeroboam had a better idea!
Two problems with Jeroboam’s idea:
1. God’s people must worship God HIS way.
You can’t glorify and please God while disobeying his revealed will.
God didn’t ask Jeroboam for his opinion.
He told them that He’s to be worshiped in Jerusalem.
AND, He promised to protect Jeroboam’s throne,
if he would trust Him and obey Him!
2. Jeroboam thinks he has to take matters into his own hands.
He has to help God out! “You can’t just let GOD handle it!”
“We have to have a strategy to make it happen!”
When Jeroboam establishes his priesthood, the Levites escape to Judah.
Jeroboam’s religious apostasy is what motivates the faithful to return to Judah..
Priests, Levites, and all who are faithful to the Lord rejoin Rehoboam's kingdom.
Provision for the faithful 11:16-17
Those who are faithful to the Lord see what’s happening
and escape to Judah, where they can remain faithful.
They have “set their hearts on seeking the Lord.”
They aren’t willing to compromise to do what’s convenient.
During the first three years of his reign,
with the support of those who remain faithful to the Lord,
Rehoboam remains faithful too.
=> God blesses his kingdom.
SPIRITUAL DEGENERATION IN THE NORTH
CONTRIBUTES TO SPIRITUAL STRENGTH IN THE SOUTH
Growth of the royal family 11:18-23
His faithfulness leads to obvious prosperity.
In oriental cultures, fertility is considered an evidence of the blessing of the gods.
In Israel, the continuous CYCLE OF BLESSING is again evident:
(as throughout all their history)
It always starts with obedience–when the king is faithful and obedient, God blesses!
OBEDIENCE
REPENTANCE BLESSING
DISCIPLINE PRIDE
DISOBEDIENCE
Due to God’s blessing, which produces his greatness and prosperity,
Rehoboam becomes proud and forgets about God.
One of the evidences of prosperity in their day is to have lots of wives.
Throughout God’s Word, this is always a precursor to problems.
Solomon's wives motivate him toward his spiritual detour (1 Ki. 11:1-4)
The presence of many wives in Rehoboam's life,
the most beautiful women from the pagan nations around them,
didn't leave a lot of reason to hope for his future,
anymore than for his dad.
Rehoboam follows in Solomon’s footsteps,
which produces the same fruit.
His wives lead him astray too.
ATTACK FROM EGYPT 12
Rehoboam's unfaithfulness 12:1
After three years of faithfulness and prosperity,
Rehoboam turns away from the Lord,
and the people follow him.
Discipline at the hands of Shishak 12:2-5
In Rehoboam's fifth year, Shishak attacks Judah. 12:2, 4
He conquers all the fortified cities and is ready to take Jerusalem.
When the leaders of Judah unite to plan their strategy against Shishak,
Shemiah comes with a message from God 12:5
He promises the overthrow of Jerusalem,
because they have turned away from Him.
He has abandoned them–they’ll never win without Him!
Rehoboam's repentance 12:6-11 12:6
When Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah hear the warning,
they humble themselves before God and return to Him.
Therefore He promises that He will not allow them to be destroyed. 12:7
He’s still going to allow Shishak to defeat them,
take the gold from the national treasury,
and require them to serve him. 12:8
ISRAEL HAS TO LEARN THAT IT’S BETTER
TO SERVE HIM THAN TO SERVE OTHER NATIONS
Rehoboam's restoration 12:12-13a
Rehoboam humbles himself before God.
Therefore, God's wrath is taken away,
and his kingdom is re-established.
It isn’t as good as it was,
but submission to God's authority produces good results,
both for the king and for the country.
Summary of Rehoboam's reign 12:13b-16 13b-14
In spite of his repentance and restoration,
the net effect of Rehoboam's reign is negative
because he didn’t give top priority to following the Lord. =>
REHOBOAM’S EPITAPH: HE DID EVIL
BECAUSE HE DIDN’T SET HIS HEART
TO SEEK THE LORD!
He never decides to leave his own interests behind
in order to follow the Lord above all else.
Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam suffer from the same ailment;
They are both more concerned about their kingdom and their plans,
than they are about seeking the Lord!
The symptoms are different, but they both suffer from serious heart trouble:
THEIR HEART IS SET ON PURSUING THE WRONG THING!
The problem ISN’T their method, or their worship style, or their ritual.
It ISN’T that they’re worshiping the wrong God.
The problem is that THEIR HEART ISN’T RIGHT!
Rehoboam isn’t seeking the Lord!
He didn’t have that thirst for God that David had.
He wasn’t determined to give God first place in his life, and to glorify Him!
He wants to build his kingdom and make a name for HIMSELF!
Jeroboam suffers the same malady.
He’s concerned about building HIS kingdom.
If he doesn’t do something, his people will leave him and go back to GOD’s temple in Jerusalem. He must protect his turf!
Rehoboam brings in the right kind of leaders, to lead them in the right kind of worship, in the right place (according to God’s instructions).
But GOD STILL ISN’T PLEASED because HE HAS HEART TROUBLE!
He hasn’t set his heart to seek the Lord!
FOUR WARNING SIGNS OF HEART TROUBLE
When our heart goes bad,
it affects our relationships with other people and with God.
It affects both vertical and horizontal relationships
1. OTHERS: We become insensitive to the needs and feelings of other people. 10:1-13
Rehoboam is determined to use force to prove that he’s in charge.
He doesn’t care about the people’s feelings or their suffering!
He asks for advice, but only takes advice that empowers him.
2. GOD: We place our confidence in our possessions, rather than in God, Who gives them to us. (11-12:1; 1 Tim. 6:17-19)
A man told his pastor, "When I had $50,000 I was happy, but now I have $500,000 and I’m miserable." The minister replied, "That’s easy to fix! Give $450,000 away!"
But the price was too high! He couldn’t let go!
1Ti 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant or to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
3. GOD: We stop living according to God's Word 12:1
4. OTHERS: We spend our time fighting with our brothers to get what we want. 12:15
The story of Rehoboam's reign concludes with the sad commentary that there was constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
The two brother nations, both identified with the Lord's name, dedicated themselves to fighting each other.
Since neither is seeking the Lord,
they spend their time struggling to get their own way.
Thus they’re continually fighting one another.
Notice where it all ends-HE DIED! 12:16
1 Cor. 11:27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
They suffered from heart trouble too
-and it shows up in their attitude toward the Lord and toward one another.
That's the worst problem about heart trouble-it ends in death.
REHOBOAM DID EVIL
BECAUSE HE DIDN’T SET HIS HEART
TO SEEK THE LORD.
WHAT CONDITION IS OUR HEART IN?
Set your heart on seeking the Lord!
HOW CAN WE AVOID HEART TROUBLE?
Aerobics–Exercise your heart to do what pleases and glorifies God!
David was committed to spiritual aerobics
–to keeping his heart set on seeking the Lord.
David’s sons didn’t “keep up the family tradition.”
Will WE? Are WE people after God’s heart?
People who seek the Lord first, and desire to please and glorify Him?
O, will those who come behind us find us faithful?
Will the fire of our devotion light their way?
Will the footsteps that we leave, lead them to believe,
and the lives we lead, inspire them to obey?
O, will those who come behind us find us faithful?