Gold for Bronze? (2 Chronicles 11-12)

Riding on the Olympic season, my reflection for today:- “If you have a gold medal, would you exchange it for a bronze?”

As part of the IDT journey, I have been reading the books of Kings and Chronicles recently. A lot of lessons can be gleaned, but what stood out for me was succession planning... from Saul, to David, to Solomon, to Rehoboam,… Allow me to share my study from 2 Chronicles 11-12, which focused on the story of Rehoboam, who succeeded his father King Solomon. Although he faced opposition to the throne, he listened to the word of God (11:4) and as a result Judah prospered. Quoting from 11:17, “they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehoboam the son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.” (ESV)

But then, we read in 12:1 “when the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.” At his peak of popularity and power, he abandoned God, and the result was destruction and Judah was conquered by Egypt. The king of Egypt took away the treasures in God’s temple and the king’s palace. He took away everything. He also took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made (11:9). In their place, King Rehoboam made shields of bronze. How ironic that “silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon” (9:20). Now we read that Rehoboam had to replace the gold shields with bronze shields, probably to maintain the appearance of former glory… From afar, bronze may glitter like gold, but they are not gold. When God is no longer central in our lives, maintaining the appearance of a Christian life becomes superficial. In our relationship with God, have the bronze medals taken over the place of gold medals? In our walk with God, the inner life is more important than the outward life.

How could this happen? The Life Application Bible suggests that “often, it is more difficult to be a believer in good times than in bad. Tough times push us towards God; but easy times can make us feel self-sufficient and self-satisfied.” We may fall into Satan’s trap thinking that we are not like Rehoboam, who ultimately rejected God. How about King David then? Perhaps we can relate with him better since he is “a man after God’s own heart”! In 1 Chronicles 21:1-3, Satan incited David to number Israel. The census displeased God, not because the action was wrong, but his motive was wrong – he took pride in the strength of his army, while forgetting that his real strength came from God.

Photo: Celebrating our 20^th Anniversary in Cotswolds, England (2012)

WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING RIGHT,
GUARD YOUR FAITH CLOSELY.

THERE IS A FINE LINE BETWEEN FEELING CONFIDENT BECAUSE YOU RELY ON GOD’S POWER AND BECOMING PROUD BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN USED BY GOD.

A timely reminder for staying in the presence of God…, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, 15 ESV)

Reference: Life Application Bible