2 Chron 10:12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, “Come back to me in three days.”
Reading this chapter, I was filled again with a sense of frustration. I’ve seen Rehoboam make these mistakes before. It is just as disheartening to see it the second time. And since I know the purpose of the Bible is not for me to feel frustrated and hopeless, I went looking for an explanation of the books of Chronicles. What’s the point?
2 Chron 10:13 The king answered them harshly. Rejecting the advice of the elders….
It turns out, the point of these books is to give hope. It is a history, a genealogy, a character study, and a hope for the future. In this light, verse 15 becomes more of a focus than a side note: “… for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam….” God is here. He is still in control. He is moving us towards a hope and a future.
2 Chron 10:14 …he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Just like those in these books, we face upheaval, poor choices, bad judgements, leaders who turn their hearts from You. Help us to read these books through the same lens You intended them for the original recipients. Help us to understand that even through the upheaval and turmoil, You are here. You are still in control. You are moving us towards a hope and a future. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
2 Chron 10:15 So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam….
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.