“But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
2 Chronicles 12:8
With Solomon’s death (2 Chron. 9:31), Rehoboam, the new king, ascended the throne of Israel, bringing with him rebellion and judgment. From the start, Rehoboam acted foolishly, as reflected initially by rejecting the counsel of the wise elders. However, he was a clever statesman who secured resources across the regions of Judah and Benjamin. Yet, the Lord was working sovereignly to discipline Israel for their sin and disobedience (1 Kings 11:29-39). We see why at the beginning of 2 Chronicles 12.
Now strengthened by a growing family, Rehoboam forsook the Law of the Lord (2 Chron. 12:1). His unfaithfulness would not go unnoticed by the ever-seeing God, whose eyes roam to and fro across the whole earth (2 Chron. 16:9). Indeed, despite God’s previous decree, Rehoboam was still culpable for his actions. Thus, God’s response was swift and straightforward, prompting the prophet, Shemaiah, to deliver His message: “You have forsaken me, so I also have forsaken you to Shishak” 2 Chron. 12:5b. A practical question is, why would he forsake the Lord? I mean, his father was the wisest man ever to live, and his grandfather was a man after God’s own heart. He likely saw his father building the temple, yet he forsook the Lord because his heart did not seek Him (2 Chron. 12:14).
The consequences of Rehoboam’s unfaithfulness replaced his service to the Lord with service to the nations (kingdoms of the countries). And that service is not easy, as God must judge because God is just, and His judgment was meted out through Israel becoming slaves to Egypt–the very nation God freed the people from with Moses. Their sin remained, and they were judged–shields of gold were replaced with shields of bronze.
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
Rehoboam’s sin reflects the sin of every human. Ultimately, sin is unfaithfulness or a lack of trust in God, reflected in failing to seek the Lord. A high-handed self-centeredness and self-sufficiency. It was this sin that led Adam and Eve astray, and the same sin lurks in the heart of every human since.
This is precisely why God sent His Son into our world. Indeed, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” 2 Cor. 5:21.
Every day, we are provided with opportunities to trust God. And it is this trust that enables us to seek Him. Will I trust Him with my relationships and thus seek to honor Him with how I relate to others? Will I trust Him with my job and thus seek to honor Him with how I work? Will I trust Him with my reputation and thus seek to honor Him with my words? Will I trust Him with my resources and thus seek to honor Him with my possessions?
Maybe you’re reading this and wondering how this might practically work itself out in your life. Consider the things that give you pause. Things that, when you think of them, you feel a little anxious. Ask yourself what about those things makes you anxious. Then, ask yourself how you might express trust in God in those areas. As you begin to work this out in your mind, keep reading God’s Word. Slowly, you’ll see how best to seek Him and His glory. God works through His Word to magnify the Lord.
I have found this to be the case. As I read God’s Word, I make notes from a verse that stood out to me from each chapter. This devotional I’m writing here came from the verse above that stood out to me.
It was this thought from the verse: Sin causes like slavery. It occurs because we no longer do the Lord’s work the Lord’s way. We forget, doubt, and descend into the chaos of sin.
Therefore, our only hope is that Christ must condescend to our earth, become a man, live our life perfectly, die as a propitiatory sacrifice to satisfy God’s wrath and justice, rise from the grave to defeat sin and death, and then offer God’s blessing to any who would receive Him as Lord by grace through faith. It is through Christ’s work that I am both saved and sanctified!
God help us to remember Christ; to follow in His ways, and experience the blessing of the service of the Lord.
— December 11, 2025