Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
11:4 “This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.” So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.
At this time Rehoboam acted wisely (11:23) but not at other times (10:15).
The Levites supported Rehoboam for three years (v. 17), while he followed the ways of David and Solomon. Unfortunately after Rehoboam was established and became strong, he abandoned God’s ways (12:1). So many of the kings could not stay faithful to God for the long haul. Perseverance is important but often seems to be sadly lacking.
11:4 “This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.” So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.
At this time Rehoboam acted wisely (11:23) but not at other times (10:15).
The Levites supported Rehoboam for three years (v. 17), while he followed the ways of David and Solomon. Unfortunately after Rehoboam was established and became strong, he abandoned God’s ways (12:1). So many of the kings could not stay faithful to God for the long haul. Perseverance is important but often seems to be sadly lacking.
12:12 Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.
12:14 He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.
Some of the good things of the past seems to have continued—“indeed there was some good in Judah.” But Rehoboam did not “set his heart on seeking the Lord.”
We need to make a firm commitment to, set our “hearts on seeking the Lord.” Half-hearted, casual commitments don’t last over the long term.
12:12 Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.
12:14 He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.
Some of the good things of the past seems to have continued—“indeed there was some good in Judah.” But Rehoboam did not “set his heart on seeking the Lord.”
We need to make a firm commitment to, set our “hearts on seeking the Lord.” Half-hearted, casual commitments don’t last over the long term.
13:10-11 As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the Lord are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the Lord our God.
We know from 1 Kings 15:3 that “He [Abijah] committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.”
In this passage, Abijah claims he is committed to God and lists the outward signs of his commitment. God was gracious and gave Judah a great victory since on this occasion they relied on the Lord (13:14-18).
In the long term, relying on the outward signs of our commitment will not be enough, if our hearts are not fully devoted.
13:10-11 As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the Lord are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the Lord our God.
We know from 1 Kings 15:3 that “He [Abijah] committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.”
In this passage, Abijah claims he is committed to God and lists the outward signs of his commitment. God was gracious and gave Judah a great victory since on this occasion they relied on the Lord (13:14-18).
In the long term, relying on the outward signs of our commitment will not be enough, if our hearts are not fully devoted.
14:11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”
When Asa was attacked by the Cushites, he acknowledged that he was powerless against this great army and was relying on God for help.
When we admit our powerlessness, we open ourselves up to receive God’s enabling.
14:11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”
When Asa was attacked by the Cushites, he acknowledged that he was powerless against this great army and was relying on God for help.
When we admit our powerlessness, we open ourselves up to receive God’s enabling.
15:9 Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
A godly life is attractive to people who are prepared to acknowledge God. A life of peace and joy is attractive. Logically people should be attracted to Christians.
15:9 Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
A godly life is attractive to people who are prepared to acknowledge God. A life of peace and joy is attractive. Logically people should be attracted to Christians.