fter describing the catastrophic end of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel, The writer of Kings now turns to describe Rehoboam’s reign in Judah. He was just as bad and had committed the same sins in Judah that Jeroboam committed in Israel. He too “cast God behind his back.” Both nations, the northern and the southern, ignored God, forgot God, rejected God’s ways, and turned again to the pagan gods of the Canaanites who God had driven before them in ages past.
The most interesting statement with reference to these two Jewish Kings who reigned without the God of Israel to guide them is found in verse 30. It says, “And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.”
War and unrest always results when men “cast God behind their backs.” The scriptures teach us this truth in many different ways. It speaks about God’s greatness in bringing peace to all men: The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. Dominion and fear belong to Him; He makes peace in His high places. Is there any number to His armies? Upon whom does His light not rise? Acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. My peace I give to you.
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.
Chuck
“Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13