DOES GOD HAVE MY VERY BEST?
2 Chronicles 12:1-16
1. Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, that he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel along with him.
2. And it happened, in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the Lord,
3. with twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen, and people without number who came with him out of Egypt the Lubim and the Sukkiim and the Ethiopians.
4. And he took the fortified cities of Judah and came to Jerusalem.
5. Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, "Thus says the Lord: `You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.’ ’’
6. So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, "The Lord is righteous.’’
7. 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.
8. "Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may distinguish My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations.’’
9. So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house; he took everything. He also carried away the gold shields which Solomon had made.
10. In their place King Rehoboam made bronze shields and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who guarded the entrance of the king’s house.
11. And whenever the king entered the house of the Lord, the guard would go and bring them out; then they would take them back into the guardroom.
12. When he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, so as not to destroy him completely; and things also went well in Judah.
13. So King Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned. Now Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king; and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother’s name was Naamah, an Ammonitess.
14. And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord.
15. The acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
16. So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. Then Abijah his son reigned in his place.
Introduction:
Ill. The historical context of this passage. When Solomon died, he left a kingdom that was filled with splendor, power and the presence of God. When he died, he left his kingdom to his son Rehoboam. Unlike his father Solomon, Rehoboam was a very foolish and wicked man. He refused to acknowledge the good pf the people of Israel, and as a result, ten of the tribes rebelled against Rehoboam, divided Israel into two kingdoms and formed the Northern Kingdom. They chose a man named Jeroboam to be their king and the Northern Kingdom left the worship of Jehovah and fell into idolatry. Rehoboam, who was still king of Judah, or the southern kingdom, had an opportunity to walk with God and enjoy the blessings of the Lord. After all, Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord were in his kingdom. Even the priests and the Levites left the Northern Kingdom and moved to Judah to serve the Lord, 2 Chron. 11:13-17. Yet, Rehoboam squandered the opportunities that he was given and walked away from God, refusing to serve the Lord like David and Solomon had done.
As you study of the life of Rehoboam, you quickly learn that his life is a lesson in privilege, pride and the judgment of God. One of the main problems with Rehoboam was that he simply refused to give God his absolute best. As a result, Rehoboam and his people paid a terribly high price.
I just want to remind you that God is worthy of our very best. Look at
Romans 12:1-2.
1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Verse 1 says that total surrender to the Lord is “your reasonable service.” The phrase “reasonable service” literally means “spiritual service of worship.” In other words, the least we can do for the Lord, in light of all that He has done for us, is to give Him the best we have. Literally, we are to give Him everything! He deserves our best; does He have it? If He does, then we can enjoy His presence and blessing. If He does not, then we can expect His chastisement and His judgment.
Today, I want to take a look at the life of King Rehoboam. I want to point out some problems in Rehoboam’s life that prove he was giving God less than his very best. As we look at this wayward king and see the shortcomings that marked his life, I want you to look at your own life today. I want you to ask yourself this question: Does God Have My Very Best? I think you would agree with me that God deserves the best that we can give to Him. I think you would also agree that He often receives far less from your life and mine. Let’s see about changing that today. Let’s notice the problems that marked the life of Rehoboam.
I. v. 1 THE PROBLEM OF HIS CHARACTER
A. Verse one is a real eye-opener regarding the character of this man named Rehoboam. We are told that he operated in pride; that he disregarded the Word of God, and that he led others astray from God as well. The problem that affected Rehoboam was a problem in the heart. He believed that neither he, nor his nation, needed the Lord; the Lord’s directions; or the Lord’s involvement! He seems to be saying, “Thanks for bringing me this far Lord. I think I can handle it from here.”
B. This is the perfect example of a life that God cannot bless nor use for His glory! God is looking for people who are the exact opposite of Rehoboam. Our God is looking for people who:
1. Realize their dependence upon Him –
John 15:5;
5. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Philippians 4:13
13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(Ill. Jesus – John 5:19-20.)
2. Desire to walk in obedience to Him –
John 14:15;
15. "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
1 John 2:3-6.
3. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4. He who says, "I know Him,’’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
3. Long to see others come to know the Lord –
Matthew 5:16.
16. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
(Ill. Ephesians 2:10 –
10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
The Lord saved us both to work and to be a statement to others that what He has done in our life can be accomplished also in them. He sets us forth as trophies of His great grace!) 8. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8)
C. Are you giving God your very best in the area of your character?
II. v. 2-9 THE PROBLEM OF HIS CHASTISEMENT
A. These verses tell us that the transgressions of Rehoboam result in the chastisement of the Lord upon him and his people. Rehoboam and Israel sinned and God used Shishak and Egypt as his method of punishment.
Isn’t it interesting to compare verse 9 with Exodus 12:35-36? In Exodus, we are told that when the Israelites left Egypt after the plagues that they “spoiled the Egyptians.” Now, God sends the Egyptians to take away all their gold and their valuables. God used the world to chasten His people.
What we learn here is that a life that must be chastened by God is a life that cannot be blessed by God. Because he would not walk in the will of God, Rehoboam was guilty of giving God less than his best.
B. When God saved you and me, He did so to deliver us from our sins,
Romans 6:7
7. For he who has died has been freed from sin.
He did it to make us a new creature,
2 Corinthians 5:17
17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
He did it to transform us into children of God,
Romans 8:15
15. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father.’’
Colossians 1:13
13. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
1 John 3:1-2
1. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
God saved us so that we might “walk in newness of life,”
Romans 6:4
4. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
and so that He might use us for His glory,
Ephesians 2:10
10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
2 Corinthians 4:7
7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
In other words, God saved us for blessing and not for blistering!
But, when you are His child and you refuse to walk in His will; He will not hesitate to send chastisement into your life,
Rev. 3:19
19. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Heb. 12:5-11
5. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6. For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’’
7. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8. But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10. For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
11. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Just as He did in Israel, God will often use this world as His rod. He will use sickness, financial trouble, etc. to speak to your heart.
C. If God has to send chastisement into your life, then it is clear that He does not have your very best! Examine your life right now: Is God blessing you or does He have to discipline your life?
III. v. 1-14 THE PROBLEM OF HIS CONFUSION
A. Watching Rehoboam is like watching a schizophrenic squirrel running here and there. In verse 1, he walks away from the Lord. In verse 6, he repents. In verse 12, he humbles himself. In verse 14 we are told that “he did evil.” This is a picture of a life that is up and down; in and out; hot and cold; and on and off. It is the picture of a confused person who does not have a clear direction or focus in his life. Again, this is a person who is giving God less than his very best.
B. That same kind of confusion often characterizes our own lives. We are up and down. We are hot and cold. We are on fire today and cold as a hammer tomorrow. Paul seems to describe the dilemma we all face in
Romans 7:14-25
14. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
16. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
17. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
20. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
22. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Every day we live, we are engaged in battle with the relentless enemies of the world, the flesh and the devil. The world seeks to press us into its mold,
Rom. 12:2
2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The flesh seeks to dominate us and keep us in bondage to its foolish and sinful desires,
Gal. 5:16-17
16. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
The devil is also looking for an inroad into our lives from which he can attack us and devour all the good in our life and testimony,
1 Peter 5:7—
7. casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Ephesians 4:27—
27. nor give place to the devil.
James 1:14—
14. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
God is looking for stability in your life and mine,
Eph. 4:11-16—
11. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13. till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14. that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive,
15. but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ
16. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
God is looking for people who will sell out to Him totally. He is looking for people who are tired of the rollercoaster and who want to live a stable, focused life for His glory. Thank God, there is victory in Jesus for those who will look to Him for the help they need,
1 Cor. 15:57
57. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 10:13
13. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
C. Look at your life right now. Is it stable and constantly growing closer to the Lord? Or, is it filled with stops, starts, reversals, etc. Does He have your very best; or is it one step forward and two steps back?
IV. v. 9-11 THE PROBLEM OF HIS COMPROMISES
A. We are told that Shishak and the Egyptians took the three hundred shields that Solomon had made back in 2 Chron. 9:15-16. These shields weighed three pounds each. These shields were worth over $25,000.00 each in today’s gold prices. All three hundred of them were worth some 7.5 million dollars. These shields hung in the king’s palace. 2 Chron. 9:16 and they were taken down by the king’s guard when he went to the Temple to worship. The guards would line the avenue leading up to the Temple; 150 guards per side, each holding a solid gold shield. Imagine the gleam that went up from those shields as Solomon and Rehoboam made their way into the Temple to worship.
When the shields are taken, Rehoboam commissions the metal workers to fashion three hundred new shields of brass. When polished, these brass shields would gleam like gold, but when the king passed between the rows of these shields, he knew and the guards knew that they were inferior and that they were poor substitute for the missing shields of gold.
B. Gold spoke of power, prosperity and glory. It was expensive and hard to acquire. Gold was tempered and durable. Gold never had to be polished, for it was pure and did not tarnish. It was a symbol of deity and it spoke of the glory and presence of God in the midst of Israel.
Brass, or bronze, is not pure. It is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is far cheaper; far easier to acquire and far more common than gold. Unlike gold, brass must be polished constantly because it tends to tarnish. Whereas gold was tempered and durable, brass was cheap and flimsy.
C. Instead of facing the people of Israel and telling them that the golden shields were gone, King Rehoboam tried to deceive them by preparing an inferior substitute. Instead of amassing his army to go and recover what the enemy had taken, King Rehoboam chose the pathway of hypocrisy and compromise. Rehoboam compromised to save face before the eyes of the people of Israel! Again, Rehoboam gave God less than his best.
D. Before we come down too hard on King Rehoboam, perhaps we need to examine our own hearts for a moment. I would submit to you that we are often guilty of giving God brass instead of gold. We offer Him and inferior substitute for our very best. How do we do this? There are several ways. (Note: The phrase “Instead of…” We are guilty of offering God some “instead of” things as well.)
1. When we operate in human effort instead of divine power – That is pride and we are often guilty of acting and living like we do not need God or His help.
2. When we live carnal lives instead of committed lives – When we run with the world; live like the world; talk, walk and act like the world; dress like the world; seek our entertainment in the world; etc; we are offering God brass instead of gold.
3. When we live in compromise instead of total commitment – When we do less than our best for God, we are compromising His standards of excellence and we are guilty of giving Him brass for gold. No preacher should ever come into this pulpit unless he is filled with the Spirit and prepared to preach! No teacher should take their place before their class unless they have prepared both heart and mind for the task of teaching.
4. When we are satisfied with the substitute instead of the genuine – When we accept the substitutes this world offers in place of God’s presence and power in our church, we are living a compromised live. And that is giving God brass for gold!
5. When we offer up excuses instead of humble obedience – When we say, “Well, I would do this or that but…” you are offering God brass in place of your gold. You are offering Him less than your best!
6. When we try to keep up appearances instead of humbling ourselves before the Lord in repentance – When we know we are not where the lord wants us to be with Him; and we pretend all is well, we are giving Him brass for gold.
E. Does God really have your very best? Does He have the real gold of your true devotion, or the fool’s gold of your “instead of” devotion? Does God have your very best? Or, does He have less than your best?
Conclusion:
Brass or gold? Which best describes your life today? Is you life pure, worthwhile and precious? Or is it a cheap alloy, where the spiritual is mingled with the fleshly, until both are mode worthless? Be honest with yourself and with your God today: Does God have your very best? Or does He have your cheap imitation of the best? If there are needs, the place to have them taken care of is at His feet.
