ROYAL FAILURE

“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 Chron. 12:1 NKJV).

Scripture does not paint a good picture of Rehoboam. In 2 Chronicles 10 we read about his poor choice of counselors. Now here in 2 Chronicles 12, we read about his poor performance regarding the law of God. Thus we want to note two important lessons from this verse: prosperity and piety and iniquity and influence.

Prosperity and piety - “When Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord.” Scripture makes it clear that prosperity is not the key to piety. Rehoboam was strengthened politically, and the nation was strengthened militarily and materially. Yet, instead of being a better man, Rehoboam forsook the law. This should not come as a surprise because when there is a problem, those in government often think that money will solve the problem. But more money is like pouring fuel on the fire, instead of putting out the fire. Improving the economy is not the key to improving behavior. Submission to God’s Word is what improves behavior. Reject the Word of God and there will be corrupt conduct.

Iniquity and influence - “And all Israel along with him.” The second part of our verse says when Rehoboam forsook the law of God others follow suit. Our sinful behavior will influence others to do the same. When wicked people get into high places in government, they, encourage evil in the land through corrupt legislation. But a person does not have to be a politician to influence others to do evil. We influence our friends and family to do evil by our evil conduct. And like Rehoboam, we do influence a lot more people than we realize when we forsake the Word of God. Scripture warns repeatedly of the influence of our sinful conduct. We need to heed the warning by obeying the Word.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“An upright man can never be a downright failure!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Degrading

In Rom 1:26 we read, “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural” (NASB).

Dishonor is the Greek word atimia (ἀτιμία = at-ee-mee'-ah). It is made up of two words: “a” the alpha negative which means not, and “time” which means honor, respect, reverence, esteem. The word therefore means dishonor, reproach, shame, vile. Literally, it describes that which is not honorable, not worthy of respect, reverence or esteem.

In Classical Greek, atimia means dishonored, not respected. The word also carried the idea of being deprived of privileges or without price or value. In the Septuagint, atimia means shame and dishonor. In the New Testament, atimia only appears in Paul’s writings and its meaning range from social embarrassment to shameful behavior which was totally unacceptable to God.

The KJV translates atimia as vile. The word vile is a strong word and suggest disgusting depravity or filth. Man abandons the only true and living God and lusts after uncleanness. He abandons God so that he can live the unclean life he craves. As a result, God judges man and abandons man to live in his uncleanness. When people refuse God and His standards, “God gave them over” which means that He permitted them to go on in their sins and reap the sad consequences.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – That He would be a smiting scepter (Num. 24:17; Dan. 2:44-45)

New Testament Fulfillment – Rev. 19:15

Bible Facts

God has given us the leaves of the trees as medicine (Eze. 47:12; Rev. 22:2). Ancient cultures utilized many herbal remedies. Today, modern medicine has rediscovered what the Bible has said all along - there are healing compounds found in plants

Bible Quiz

According to Jesus, which animals were not to be given that which is holy?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: The man left half dead by robbers on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was aided by a Samaritan only after he had been ignored by how many passers-by? Two passers-by (Luke 10:30-37).

That’s in the Bible

"Bear false witness”

“He said to Him, which ones? Jesus said, you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 19:18 NKJV).

To bear false witness relates to lying or deceiving someone. In reply to the inquiry of the young man, Jesus directed him to the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Commandments (Ex. 20:12-16). The first half of the Ten Commandments have to do with man’s relationship to God. The second half of the Ten Commandments have to do with man’s relationship with his fellow man. The Lord Jesus emphasized the second half of the commandments because gaining wealth and becoming rich often involves gross violation of the second part of the Ten Commandments. It involves defrauding, cheating, stealing and mistreating our fellow man.

Did You Know – Christian History

Peter Cartwright, Jr., was born September 1, 1785 in Amherst County, Virginia. He was an American Methodist missionary, revivalist preacher, as well as twice an elected legislator in Illinois. Cartwright, helped start America’s Second Great Awakening, personally baptizing twelve thousand converts. He was also known as “Uncle Peter,” “Backwoods Preacher,” “Lord’s Plowman,” “Lord’s Breaking-Plow,” and “The Kentucky Boy.”

At the age of 15, Cartwright was converted at a camp meeting associated with the Revival of 1800. He subsequently joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and within two years of his conversion, he was a traveling preacher, bringing the gospel to the backwoods of the new nation. His rough past and hardy constitution served him well, for he faced floods, thieves, hunger and disease, meeting every challenge head on.

Rowdies often interrupted Peter’s meetings and crowds flocked to hear him. Throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois, Peter preached to hosts of men and women, three hours at a stretch, several times a week. Women wept and strong men trembled. 10,000 came to Christ in meetings that sometimes ran day and night. Peter baptized thousands, adding them to the church. He urged new converts to build meeting houses. To meet a desperate need for preachers, he championed the creation of Methodist colleges. Wherever he went he left behind religious books and tracts to convert and strengthen souls. The joy of soul-winning compensated him for all his hardships. Peter died at eighty-seven, leaving behind an autobiography which has become a classic as much for the exploits it recounts as for the pictures it paints of frontier life.

A Little Humor

An archaeologist was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy. After examining it, he called the curator of a prestigious natural-history museum. “I’ve just discovered a 3,000 year-old mummy of a man who died of heart failure!” the excited scientist exclaimed. To which the curator replied, “Bring him in. We’ll check it out.” A week later, the amazed curator called the archaeologist. “You were right about the mummy’s age and cause of death. How in the world did you know?” “Easy. There was a piece of paper in his hand that said, ‘10,000 Shekels on Goliath.’”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Many who seek God in the eleventh hour die at 10:30!”