Rehoboam enjoyed prosperity for three years -2 Chronicles 11-13-17-.--Then he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD -2 Chronicles 12-1-.--Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, he authorized Shishak king of Egypt to attack Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam -2 Chronicles 12-2-. And God stated, -You have abandoned me- therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.-' -2 Chronicles 12-5---The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is just' -2 Chronicles 12-6-. That is the beginning of getting things right.--However, the Lord wanted them to learn the difference between serving him and serving the kings of other lands -2 Chronicles 12-7-8-.--Because the LORD was to be Israel's King, asking for a worldly king was rejecting the LORD -1 Samuel 8-7-9-. --After Shishak took the gold shields, Rehoboam replaced them with bronze -2 Chronicles 12-10-11-, maintaining the appearance of prosperity for most people. --Do you know about the Coinage Act of 1965, or what happened when President Nixon disconnected the dollar from the price of gold in 1971, when gold was valued at -35 an ounce and the American dollar was the world's reserve currency----Consider how denominations that once were solidly committed to the gospel and the Bible have traded their gold for brass.--Is there any area in your life where you are maintaining an appearance of spiritual prosperity, but your gold has been replaced with brass--

Rehoboam enjoyed prosperity for three years (2 Chronicles 11:13-17). Then he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:1). Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, he authorized Shishak king of Egypt to attack Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:2). And God stated, "You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak."' (2 Chronicles 12:5) The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is just' (2 Chronicles 12:6). That is the beginning of getting things right. However, the Lord wanted them to learn the difference between serving him and serving the kings of other lands (2 Chronicles 12:7-8). Because the LORD was to be Israel's King, asking for a worldly king was rejecting the LORD (1 Samuel 8:7-9). After Shishak took the gold shields, Rehoboam replaced them with bronze (2 Chronicles 12:10-11), maintaining the appearance of prosperity for most people. Do you know about the Coinage Act of 1965, or what happened when President Nixon disconnected the dollar from the price of gold in 1971, when gold was valued at $35 an ounce and the American dollar was the world's reserve currency? Consider how denominations that once were solidly committed to the gospel and the Bible have traded their gold for brass. Is there any area in your life where you are maintaining an appearance of spiritual prosperity, but your gold has been replaced with brass?

Ahijah was a blind man who could see (1 Kings 14:4-5). Only the good die young (1 Kings 14:13). Why does God himself use crude language, and why do modern translations attempt to wash out God's mouth? (1 Kings 14:10; Cf. 1 Samuel 25:22, 34; 1 Kings 16:11; 21:21; 2 Kings 9:8). Jeroboam's wife is given a horrible burden (1 Kings 14:12). Ahijah announces the curse sanctions of God's covenant with Israel in 1 Kings 14:11 (Deuteronomy 28:26). How does God visit our iniquity on our children? (Exodus 20:4-6) Can we stop such a curse? (Proverbs 26:2; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 John 1:8-10)

Today's message, Journey into Apostasy, focuses on five kings of Judah--David -1010 to 970-,-Solomon -970 to 931-,-Rehoboam -931 to 913-,-Abijam -or, Abijah- -913 to 911-, and-Asa -911-870-.--Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done -1 Kings 15-11-. In other words, three kings did evil- Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah.--Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD- he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done -1 Kings 11-6-. --The godly King Asa forgot what the LORD had done for him and trusted in his wealth and a foreign alliance -2 Chronicles 16-1-3, 7-9-.--When he is rebuked -2 Chronicles 16-9-, he turns his back on the LORD and on his prophet -2 Chronicles 16-10-.--When the LORD chastens him in order to get him to repent, he hardens his heart -2 Chronicles 16-11-14-.--Are you being tortured today -Matthew 18-34--- Turn to the Lord Jesus and beg him for the grace to deal with what is blocking you from getting relief.

Today's message, Journey into Apostasy, focuses on five kings of Judah: David (1010 to 970), Solomon (970 to 931), Rehoboam (931 to 913), Abijam (or, Abijah) (913 to 911), and Asa (911-870). Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done (1 Kings 15:11). In other words, three kings did evil: Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah. Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done (1 Kings 11:6). The godly King Asa forgot what the LORD had done for him and trusted in his wealth and a foreign alliance (2 Chronicles 16:1-3, 7-9). When he is rebuked (2 Chronicles 16:9), he turns his back on the LORD and on his prophet (2 Chronicles 16:10). When the LORD chastens him in order to get him to repent, he hardens his heart (2 Chronicles 16:11-14). Are you being tortured today (Matthew 18:34)? Turn to the Lord Jesus and beg him for the grace to deal with what is blocking you from getting relief.

King Rehoboam foolishly rejects the counsel of the old men who served his father and follows the advice of the young men who had grown up with him --1 Kings 12-5-11-.--This results in a political division in 931 BC, and while King Jeroboam I had divine authority to secede from the House of David -1 Kings 11-29-36-, he did not have authority to start his own religion -1 Kings 12-26-29-.--The result was that the priests and Levites and people who sought the LORD left Israel for Judah -2 Chronicles 11-13, 16-17-.--God sends a prophet from Judah to warn Jeroboam of his sin and predict the coming of King Josiah some three centuries later who would burn bones on Jeroboam's altar -1 Kings 13-2-6-.--The LORD had warned the Man of God from Judah explicitly not to eat or drink until he had returned home -1 Kings 13-7-10-, and he obeyed. But then an old prophet finds him, and tells him an angel had revealed that he could eat with him -1 Kings 13-11-19- Galatians 1-8-9-. As soon as he does so, the old prophet responds with a true word from the LORD that he was going to die, then he meets a lion on the way who kills him -1 Kings 13-20-26-.--What are the strengths and weaknesses of youth and old age--

King Rehoboam foolishly rejects the counsel of the old men who served his father and follows the advice of the young men who had grown up with him ((1 Kings 12:5-11). This results in a political division in 931 BC, and while King Jeroboam I had divine authority to secede from the House of David (1 Kings 11:29-36), he did not have authority to start his own religion (1 Kings 12:26-29). The result was that the priests and Levites and people who sought the LORD left Israel for Judah (2 Chronicles 11:13, 16-17). God sends a prophet from Judah to warn Jeroboam of his sin and predict the coming of King Josiah some three centuries later who would burn bones on Jeroboam's altar (1 Kings 13:2-6). The LORD had warned the Man of God from Judah explicitly not to eat or drink until he had returned home (1 Kings 13:7-10), and he obeyed. But then an old prophet finds him, and tells him an angel had revealed that he could eat with him (1 Kings 13:11-19; Galatians 1:8-9). As soon as he does so, the old prophet responds with a true word from the LORD that he was going to die, then he meets a lion on the way who kills him (1 Kings 13:20-26). What are the strengths and weaknesses of youth and old age?

When King Jehoshaphat was confronted by Jehu the prophet, he repented and demonstrated that repentance in changes he made as king of Judah -2 Chronicles 19-1-3-.--So that the nation would not relapse in his absence again, he educated the people in God's word and appointed judges who would rule in -the fear of the LORD- -2 Chronicles 19-4-7-.--Today we looked at the division he made in the administration of justice -2 Chronicles 19-8-11-.--He appointed Amariah the High Priest over matters pertaining to the LORD, and Zebadiah in matters pertaining to the king -2 Chronicles 19-11-.--In its context, it is clear that both men are to rule under the LORD himself -2 Chronicles 19-9-10-, with Amariah the High Priest overseeing the Temple and its worship, and Zebadiah overseeing matters not related to worship, i.e. civil law -2 Chronicles 19-11- cf. Exodus 18-26, 19- Deuteronomy 17-8-13-.--The foundation of the United States of America reflects a similar structure where the civil government is under God -see the handout-.--Many people misunderstand what our Lord Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 22-15-22- Mark 12-13-17- Luke 20-20-26. He is in no way stating that civil government should be atheistic. He is simply stepping out of the net, these flatterers had spread for him -Proverbs 29-5-.--In asking for the Roman coin with which one paid the Roman poll tax, he was asking for something with the image of Caesar and these words- -TI CAESAR DIVI AUG F AUGUSTUS- -Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus-.--This coin led many Jews, particularly those living in the Galilee, to refuse to pay the Roman tax, contrary to the supporters of the dynasty of Herod the Great.

When King Jehoshaphat was confronted by Jehu the prophet, he repented and demonstrated that repentance in changes he made as king of Judah (2 Chronicles 19:1-3). So that the nation would not relapse in his absence again, he educated the people in God's word and appointed judges who would rule in "the fear of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 19:4-7). Today we looked at the division he made in the administration of justice (2 Chronicles 19:8-11). He appointed Amariah the High Priest over matters pertaining to the LORD, and Zebadiah in matters pertaining to the king (2 Chronicles 19:11). In its context, it is clear that both men are to rule under the LORD himself (2 Chronicles 19:9-10), with Amariah the High Priest overseeing the Temple and its worship, and Zebadiah overseeing matters not related to worship, i.e. civil law (2 Chronicles 19:11; cf. Exodus 18:26, 19; Deuteronomy 17:8–13). The foundation of the United States of America reflects a similar structure where the civil government is under God (see the handout). Many people misunderstand what our Lord Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26. He is in no way stating that civil government should be atheistic. He is simply stepping out of the net, these flatterers had spread for him (Proverbs 29:5). In asking for the Roman coin with which one paid the Roman poll tax, he was asking for something with the image of Caesar and these words: "TI CAESAR DIVI AUG F AUGUSTUS" (Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus). This coin led many Jews, particularly those living in the Galilee, to refuse to pay the Roman tax, contrary to the supporters of the dynasty of Herod the Great.

Jehu the prophet showed great boldness in confronting King Jehoshaphat as he returned from joining with King Ahab of Israel -2 Chronicles 19-1-2-. --Jehu has the boldness of Nathan who declared, -You are the man-- to David in response to David's rage against a rich man who stole and slaughtered a poor man's lamb that -was like a daughter to him- -2 Samuel 12-1-7-.--As with David who repented -Psalm 32-1-7- Psalm 51-10-12-, so King Jehoshaphat demonstrates true repentance as he sets his heart on seeking God -2 Chronicles 19-3-.--Jehoshaphat not only repents, but he moved among the people and -turned them back to the God of their fathers- -2 Chronicles 19-4-.--He appoints godly judges, admonishing them to -let the fear of the LORD be upon you- -2 Chronicles 19-5-6-.--In the Gospel of Luke, the Lord Jesus cites an example of an unjust judge who -neither feared God nor cared -entr-p-- -------- -Have regard for, respect-- about men- -Luke 18-2-. But this cynical and calloused politician responded to a poor widow who kept harassing him -Luke 18-3-5-.