In reading 2 Chronicles 12, we note a particular response of God to the unfaithfulness of King Rehoboam. The chronicler wrote that it happened in the fifth year of the king (2). Shishak, the king of Egypt waged war against Rehoboam at Jerusalem. The scripture states clearly that such a challenge came “because they had transgressed against the Lord.”
The challenge was great: 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and “people without number who came with him out of Egypt” (3). The challenge was succeeding as the fortified cities of Judah were taken and Jerusalem was threatened. Shemaiah, a prophet of God, told Rehoboam the reason for the threat. “Thus says the Lord: ‘You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak’” (5).
This declaration brought repentance. “So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, ‘The LORD is righteous’” (6). One might think that this repentance (which of course led to the return of God’s favor), was enough to change the course of events. And it did. When God witnessed the repentance of Rehoboam and the leaders of Israel, He granted deliverance. But, the deliverance on this occasion was not total. Consider the words of verses 7-8: “Now 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. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.’”
God limited the Egyptian king t0 looting the treasures of “the house of the Lord” and the treasures of “the king’s house” (9), taking everything, even the gold shields made by Rehoboam’s father Solomon. After, Judah prospered as long as the king remained humble before God, but the damage had been done.
This is a good object lesson for us. As Christians we are granted forgiveness by God. If Paul could obtain mercy, it is within the grasp of us all. No matter how bad the sin, (cf. Romans 1:28-32), repentance and confession of our sins guarantees reconciliation with God (cf. 1 John 1:8-10).
What is not guaranteed is a total escape from the consequences of sin. While we can always receive forgiveness, sin can still severely damage our lives. The consequences are often unavoidable: the loss of health, the destruction of our family, the ending of friendships, the loss of jobs, etc. Permanent consequences with life altering ramifications.
Rehoboam could have avoided the plundering of the Egyptian king completely. All he had to do is to live righteously before his Lord. The same is true for us as well.
We can always gain forgiveness. That is the promise of God’s grace. But, it is better to avoid the sin!
