2 Chronicles 11.17 For three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. 11.23 and he gave them victual in abundance. 12.1,2 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the Lord.
This is the record of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. At the start of his administration, he is walking after The Lord, as did his grandfather David and father Solomon. God’s blessings are flowing. The kingdom is flourishing. But would you note, beloved, that there is a two year gap in our passages this morning. All we read is that during that period of time, Rehoboam is established and self sufficient (he strengthened himself), but he forsook The law of The Lord. Don’t point your finger, dear ones. Do not even think, how could he? For you and I are prone to do the same thing without even knowing it.
It is very easy to experience the blessings of God and forget how much we really need Him. When God’s grace allows us to have money in the bank, and things are going really well in life, it is so easy to cruise along in your Christian walk. After all, why would we need God when we have all of our needs met? Beware saints of having that kind of mentality in your heart. Oh, we would never say that we have no need of The Lord, but deep inside, there is that danger of forsaking The Lord with passion because His material blessings have removed the urgency of our real need for Him.
To awaken Rehoboam, God stirred up the king of Egypt, which is a type of the old life or the world. Reader, are you sensing a presence or longing for the world this morning that was not even in your spiritual radar in years gone by? Could it be that the blessings of God have given you a false sense of security? Thus saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
The slippery slope of success is always the result of forsaking God. What is the answer? Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The Lord is righteous. The Lord is righteous. And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves. That is another way of saying, return to your first love and love Him, The Giver of every good and perfect gift. Love The Lord and bless His Name, not blessings He gives you.
