SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 12
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The prophet Shemaiah then met with Rehoboam and Judah’s leaders, who had all fled to Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah told them, “This is what the Lord says: You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak.” [2 Chronicles 12:5]
God is not cruel, He gives us what we ask for; reject Him and we lose Him, run to evil and we find it.
And when we experience the result of our foolish choices, this becomes a time for repentance and mercy.
The consequences may remain, but God can adjust them if we seek His mercy and help.
When the Lord saw their change of heart, he gave this message to Shemaiah: “Since the people have humbled themselves, I will not completely destroy them and will soon give them some relief. I will not use Shishak to pour out my anger on Jerusalem. But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.” [2 Chronicles 12:7-8]
Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger was turned away, and he did not destroy him completely. There were still some good things in the land of Judah. [2 Chronicles 12:12]
This passage makes me think of Judas.
Judas made his choice, he betrayed Jesus for the love of Money but then he realized his mistake.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. [Matthew 27:3-5]
He discovered the difference between serving the Lord and serving earthly leaders and desires.
The religious leaders were using him, and cared little if he was suffering remorse – ‘that’s your problem!’
But another interesting question that comes from this is whether Judas genuinely repented?
Could we apply v.12 to Judas too?
Because Judas humbled himself, the Lord’s anger was turned away, and he did not destroy him completely. There were still some good things Judas. [2 Chronicles 12:12]
I know, that is maybe a bit of a stretch in the reading, but is it at least possible?
It is not for me to decide on this, it is God’s call.
But one thing I have discovered, God does seem to show mercy to the most unlikely candidates.
And according to the bible, the key has always been sorrow for sin and repentance.
What I take from this is that God’s heart is not to make anyone suffer, but He will allow us to suffer the consequences of our choices – to teach us a lesson and to change our direction.
He allows us to know the difference between life with God and life without Him.
He is not being mean, He is being merciful.
The issue for everyone is the same as it was for the prodigal son: will we come to our senses and realize that our Father is a much better place to be than wallowing in the misery of our foolish choices [Luke 15:13-20].
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for letting me experience some of the consequences of my foolish choices – enough to come to my senses but not too much to lead me to despair. Change my heart gently!