2 Chronicles 12:1-11-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. 2 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, 3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. 4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. 6 Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. 7 And 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; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. 8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. 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 all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. 10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house. 11 And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.
1. ISRAEL’S DISOBEDIENCE AND REBELLION TOWARDS GOD
2 Chronicles 12:1-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.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28- Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
1 Samuel 15:23-For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
2. GOD’S JUDGMENT UPON ISRAEL’S DISOBEDIENCE
The Kingdom of Judah disobeyed the word of the Lord and transgressed against the Lord their God. This disobedience brought God’s judgement in the person of Shishak, the king of Egypt who came up against Jerusalem and Judah.
2 Chronicles 12:2-5-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, 3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. 4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
Judah’s disobeyed the word of the Lord spoken to them by Samuel when they were first granted Saul to be their king. Samuel warned them of not obeying the word of the Lord.
Priscilla Shirer-“Today’s difficulties are often a result of yesterday’s disobedience.”
1 Samuel 12:13-15-Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: 15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.
Ephesians 5:6-Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Lailah Gifty Akita- “Disobedience to God leads to destruction.”
3. ISREAL’S REPENTS AND FACES CORRECTION
The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 12:6-11 that the royal princes and the king and many in the kingdom humbled themselves before God and offered repentance. However, God allowed them to still face correction and judgement because of their disobedience.
2 Chronicles 12:6-11-Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. 7 And 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; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. 8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. 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 all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. 10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house. 11 And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.
“No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be good if we stopped using the terms 'victory' and 'defeat' to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms 'obedience' and 'disobedience.”
? Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness
Galatians 6:7-8- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
4. ISRAEL’S FALL TO SHISHAK A WARNING TO CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS
Romans 15:4-For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of scriptures might have hope.
Israel’s story of their fall to Shishak illustrates very clearly how we are to be mindful of how we live our Christian lives in this present, evil world. The enemy, Satan, like Shishak, can steal the blessings and presence and power of God from our lives.
When we allow ourselves to give place to the enemy of commit sin, we are endangering our spiritual lives and we become susceptible to the enemy.
Shishak sacked Jerusalem and took away the treasure of the house of God and of the King’s house. Shishak left Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Judah a shell of their former self.
Like Samson who lost his strength and power when his hair was cut, and he no longer had the power, presence and blessings of God; so was Israel and Judah when Shishak had overtaken them and sacked the holy city of Jerusalem.
CONCLUSION:
