Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 12:7-8 (New Living Translation)

7 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. 8 But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.”

This is part of the history of Rehoboam, King of Judah. He abandoned the worship of God. As a result, Shishak, a King of Egypt, invaded and amassed an army at the gates of Jerusalem. Rehoboam and the other leaders changed their hearts and looked to God.

God speaks through the prophet Shemaiah. Because the leaders humbled themselves, God would not use Shishak and his army to kill them all. Nevertheless, they would become subjects of Shishak and serve him.

The people would know the difference between serving an all-knowing, all-loving God and an all-too-human earthly ruler who had just conquered them. Ooops. I don’t want any of that knowledge. The classes would be too painful. I’ll settle with serving God. What was wrong with those people way back when?

Well, they were just like I am today. I guess this is an election year in America. We vote for our representatives in our republic. Serve these earthly rulers? Nope. Let’s not be silly. Abide by the laws? Yes. Let’s live peaceably in this land for our temporary time here. Ultimate ruler? God. Please God, don’t abandon me to these guys and gals who run for political office. I don’t want that.