Have You Swallowed an Alligator Lately?
A sermon on 2 Chronicles 10-12
Two men were riding a bicycle built for two when they came to a steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very steep climb. When they got to the top the man in front said to the other, "Man, that was a hard climb!" The guy in back said, "Yes it was. And if I hadn’t kept the brakes on all the way we would have rolled down backwards."
We can accomplish a lot when we work together. But unity is not always easy, especially when we bring different perspectives to a problem.
As we turn to 2 Chronicles this morning, we see how division came to the kingdom of Israel. Israel remained unified under their first king, Saul, and then under David and his son Solomon. But the next king, Solomon’s son Rehoboam, was unable to keep the kingdom together.
Rehoboam’s life is an interesting one, though not necessarily a model to follow. As with most of the kings, there is both good and bad in the heart of Rehoboam. As we consider and judge Rehoboam for his deeds, perhaps we can be willing to apply that judgment to ourselves as well – both for better and for worse.
Let’s take a look at Rehoboam. If you have your Bibles with you, why don’t you take them out and turn to the 10th chapter of the Book of 2nd Chronicles. I’ll actually be looking at several chapters as we go along.
Listen to Wisdom
We read that after his father’s death, Rehoboam went to Shechem to become king. And then in verse two it says
2 Chronicles 10:2 2 When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
Who is this Jeroboam? To find out, we need to jump over to 1 Kings, chapter 11, verse 26 and following. There we read that Jeroboam the son of Nebat was a valiant warrior and an industrious young man. Solomon noticed this and appointed him the head of the forced labor. So initially things went well between Jeroboam and the king. But then one day Jeroboam met the prophet Ahijah who prophesied saying that God would tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give 10 tribes to Jeroboam, because these 10 tribes had forsaken the Lord.
Solomon heard of it and rather than repenting and leading the people to the Lord, or at the very least accepting the Word of the Lord, he sought to kill Jeroboam. And so Jeroboam high tailed it south to Egypt. And that is where we find him at the beginning of 2 Chronicles, chapter 10.
The People’s Request
Jeroboam comes with the rest of Israel to ask a request of the new king. One gets the sense that he is leading this group of people. In verse 4, they state their request before king Rehoboam:
"Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you."
It seems harmless enough, but I have to wonder if Jeroboam is just beginning to position himself for a takeover. He knew what the forced labor situation was like under Solomon – after all, he was the head of it before he went to Egypt. He was probably banking on the fact that Solomon’s son would be like his father in some ways. And so he stirs up the people to ask for some leniency, probably hoping it would result in a rebellion.
The Elder’s Advice
And we see that he was right about Rehoboam. He is in some ways his father’s son. Solomon was known for his wisdom, and so Rehoboam begins by at least giving the appearance of being wise by seeking out counsel from his elders. This is what they told him:
2 Chronicles 10:7 "If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever."
The Yes-Men’s Advice
But no matter how wise their counsel is, he doesn’t like it and so he seeks out people who agree with him – his buddies from childhood. And they say what they know he wants to hear. “Don’t listen to this people’s requests – make them learn to respect you.” Tell them:
2 Chronicles 10:11 ’Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’"
That sounded a lot more like the power trip Rehoboam wanted.
Someone once said, “If all the people around you always agree with you, you’re in the wrong company.” Rehoboam sought the wrong kind of company. That is not to say that we are always in the wrong and should always listen to people who are espousing opposing ideas. Wise counsel comes from people who’ve been there.
Mechanic vs. Gardner
If you’re thinking about buying a used car, you ought to consult your mechanic friend before you consult your gardener. The gardener might agree with you about the aesthetics of the vehicle, but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of what really matters, the mechanic has been there.
And it isn’t always words that provide timely advice. Sometimes our circumstances indicate that the direction we’ve been heading is a poor choice and we ought to turn around while we still have a chance.
Python Swallows Alligator
I read a rather weird news story in October of 2005. A researcher named Michael Barron was traveling through the Everglades National Park when he stumbled upon a bizarre sight.
Prior to his arrival, a 13-foot long Burmese python had apparently attacked and subdued a 6-foot long American alligator. Incredibly, the python was even able to swallow the alligator whole. It was, however, a short-lived triumph, as the snake’s abdomen burst while attempting to digest its dinner.
When Mr. Barron came upon the scene, the alligator’s hind legs and tail were sticking out from the snake’s midsection. Neither animal survived the encounter. The Sydney Morning Herald titled their article: “Lavish lunch gives python killer indigestion.”
You would think somewhere along the line, the snake might have wondered if this meal was such a good idea after all. But being a snake with minimal powers of reasoning, letting go of this lunch was apparently not a consideration.
How many of us have tried to swallow an alligator – metaphorically speaking? Rehoboam did. He wanted to be the man with the power, the man the masses feared. He listened to his yes-men, but when he played his cards, the people didn’t cower in fear. An indication that perhaps he’d made a bad choice. They had had enough. They replied:
2 Chronicles 10:16 …"What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to your tents, O Israel; Now look after your own house, David."
I think Rehoboam still had time to spit the alligator out, but he didn’t want to look weak and indecisive. He could have humbled himself before the people and sought unification on peaceful terms. But he thought it would be easier to swallow the alligator whole than it would be to admit a mistake.
You just want to say, “Hey Rehoboam, how’s it workin’ for ya?”
Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”
And not just any counsel. You want counsel from people who know something about your alligator. The elders who had served Solomon knew this people and what they had suffered. They likely had an understanding of how much more they could take. But Rehoboam wanted to find affirmation for a decision he had already made, so he turned to his yes-men for something he labeled “advice.” That’s the way of a fool.
When you are facing big decisions in life, don’t just look for confirmation of a decision you’ve already made. Turn to godly people who know something about your question – people who are willing to tell you the truth even if it isn’t what you want to hear. And then reward them for their honesty by listening. And if you wake up to the fact that you’ve been a fool, and there’s an alligator part way down your throat, it would be better to spit it out now – even if it means swallowing your pride instead.
Take Your Second Chance
In the end, all but the people of Judah and Benjamin rebelled and followed Jeroboam, son of Nebat. Rehoboam found out that a king is not much of a king if he has no people. As his kingdom was quickly dwindling, he prepared for battle. But the Lord stopped him and told him not to go to battle, for this was from the Lord – remember that God had promised 10 tribes to Jeroboam because of Israel’s faithlessness. It was their punishment. This wasn’t just about Rehoboam and a bad decision.
This time Rehoboam recognized wise counsel and returned home. And so the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms that day, and Rehoboam ruled over Judah and Benjamin. Thankfully for Rehoboam, and for us, God does not turn away from us forever. If we are willing to return to him and be faithful, He is ready to accept us back and bless us.
God Strengthen’s Rehoboam’s Borders
The next thing we see Rehoboam doing is building up cities for the defense of Judah. Beginning in Chapter 11, verse 5, we read:
2 Chronicles 11:5-12 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah. 6 Thus he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 7 Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 10 Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and in Benjamin. 11 He also strengthened the fortresses and put officers in them and stores of food, oil and wine. 12 He put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
Some[1] have speculated that Rehoboam was still anticipating war with Israel even though he had given the impression of listening to the Lord by returning home. But I don’t’ think that is true. Let’s consider for a moment where these cities are located.
There is an insert in your bulletin with a map on it. There’s a box in the lower right of the map which is enlarged below to show some detail. That’s Rehoboam’s kingdom. You’ll notice that all of these fortified cities appear to protect everything except the border to Israel. Rehoboam’s focus was not a threat from Israel, but more likely from Egypt.
Since the time if Solomon, a Libyan nobleman named Shishak had overthrown the Egyptian pharaoh and sought to extend his influence into Asia. Judah was in the way of that plan, and one might speculate that Jeroboam, son of Nebat, had stirred things up while he was exiled in Egypt. Whatever the cause, Rehoboam, king of the two tribes of Judah, took this threat very seriously. And God blessed him in his efforts.
God Sends Godly Counsel
The northern borders of Judah were still open. Then Jeroboam, king of Israel in the north, turned from the Lord by building goats and calf-idols, and he rejected the Lord’s priests. These priests then headed south to Judah to support Rehoboam. We are told that
2 Chronicles 11:13-16 … the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel stood with [Rehoboam] from all their districts. 14 For the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the LORD. 15Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made. 16Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.
So while Jeroboam was walking faithlessly in the north, Rehoboam was actually trying to walk with God in the small kingdom of Judah. And God blessed him by strengthening his borders and by sending him Priests and Levites and all those who sought the Lord.
Rehoboam had once sought out bad counsel that supported his prideful nature, and now the Lord blessed him by surrounding him with good counselors. Our God is a God of second chances.
Edison’s Light Bulb
A story is told about Thomas Edison. He was working on something called a ‘light bulb.’ It took a team of men working 24-hours straight just to put a single bulb together. As the story goes, when he finished with one, he gave it to a young boy who was helping him. He nervously carried it up the stairs, and managed to drop it at the top. 24-hours later, another bulb was ready. Tired and ready for a break, Edison called on this same young boy to take this bulb up the stairs.
In like manner, no matter how far we have walked from the Lord, no matter what the consequences have been for our failures, God offers us a second chance too.
Rehoboam had failed and a kingdom had split, but he was willing to humble himself and listen to the Lord after such a great failure. And he did turn and listen to the Lord - for a time. We are told that after this, Rehoboam and his kingdom walked in the ways of David and Solomon for three years (11:17).
If you find that you’ve walked away from God – that you’ve not listened to His counsel – then you are at an important crossroad. Because in recognizing that, you now have a choice to turn back and walk in faith. And if you do, God will bless you in that choice. He will strengthen you against your enemies and send you wise counsel.
When we need God, when we CAN’T do it on our own, we are more likely to lean on Him and trust Him to care for us. I think that is why God allows trouble into our lives. It drives us to seek Him – and find Him. And that is what He wants more than anything else.
Prepare Your Heart to Seek
While we are glad that our troubles don’t last forever, we need to be cautious of the warning signs that come with success and blessing. It is always a struggle to keep our hearts on the right path. The apostle Paul wrote:
Romans 7:19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
Even with God’s Spirit and God’s blessing, we struggle against our fleshly desires. And that is particularly true when things are going well. And it was true for Rehoboam too. If we turn to chapter 12 of 2 Chronicles, we read that:
2 Chronicles 12:1 When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and strong, he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the LORD.
We forsake God when we get strong – when we think we don’t need Him anymore. It is in our strength that we forget how much we need God. If we are not careful, our success can be our greatest downfall. When the chronicler summed up Rehoboam’s life, he said at the end of chapter 12:
[Rehoboam] did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD. (2 Chronicles 12:14)
His downfall came because he spent his time establishing himself instead of his heart.
One thing that I find interesting is that God did not bring the northern kingdom of Israel against Rehoboam. That was his weakest point. All his fortified cities were to the south. The border to Israel was wide open. But the lesson Rehoboam needed to learn was to not trust in his own strength. And his strength was to the south. And so the Lord showed him that his strength was nothing if he did not put his trust in God.
Five years into Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak, king of Egypt, started heading north toward Jerusalem and he took the fortified cities of Judah. The prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and said:
2 Chronicles 12:5b "Thus says the LORD, ’You have forsaken Me, so I also have forsaken you to Shishak.’"
There are consequences for pride. And they are most likely to come when we do not prepare our hearts to seek after God. King David failed in many ways, he committed grievous sins, but he was able to be restored because he was a man after God’s own heart. He prepared his heart to seek the Lord, and to submit to Him. Rehoboam was a different sort of man.
But Rehoboam was learning about God’s faithfulness. He was learning about humility and the need to walk faithfully. He was learning that God does give second chances. And so again, he and all Israel humbled themselves and admitted that God was righteous in His judgment. And because God is a God of second chances, He did not destroy Rehoboam’s kingdom. He did, however allow them to become slaves of Shishak – so they will know the difference between service to the Lord and service to other kings. (12:6-8)
Even in our second chances, there are lessons to be learned.
It is when we are doing well that we need to watch for warning signs. Sometimes they are obvious, and we just refuse to read them.
Jason Grisham and the electric fence
In June of 2004, a man named Jason Grisham who made the news after attempting to scale an electrical tower. The 69,000 volts of electricity that went through his body is usually fatal. Despite some burns, the hospital considered him to be in good condition.
Mr. Grisham wasn’t a victim of anything other than his own pride and stupidity. The section of fence he attempted to scale was seven feet high, topped with barbed wire, and bordered on either side by signs saying “Danger/High Voltage.”
Sometimes we just don’t pay attention to the warning signs. When we are doing well, we think we can do anything. And we are lucky if it doesn’t kill us.
Do you idolize yourself? Do you think that you can do it on your own? Are you like Rehoboam near the end of his reign – strong and established, not needing to follow the Lord? If that’s you, then you need to prepare your heart to seek the Lord.
Whatever temptations or trials you face, you cannot expect to successfully face them on your own. Yes, God has provided a way of escape – but it entails swallowing pride and leaning on Him. The apostle Peter puts it this way:
1 Peter 5:5b-6 "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
Rehoboam’s Pride
As much as Rehoboam seemed to humble himself before the Lord when He was in trouble, it seems that his pride still ruled the day. When Shishak came against Jerusalem, he took away all the treasures from the king’s house, including the gold shields that Solomon had made. We’re told in chapter 12, verse 10, that Rehoboam had bronze shields made to replace them (presumably because he could no longer afford gold). But I don’t believe he really wanted people to know they’d been stolen, so he had the guard bring them out only when the king entered the house. After that, they quickly put them away before people thought too much about it and realized they were only made of bronze. Pride can make us do crazy things. I think that detail comes to us just to show us how hard it is to overcome pride and submit to God, when we don’t prepare our hearts to seek Him.
And we do that by admitting God’s authority in our lives, being willing to admit a mistake, and seeking to know His truths through scripture and godly fellowship so that His word is recognizable to us. We prepare our hearts by recognizing that we don’t have all the answers all the time.
We all face difficult decisions in life. We all have trials and struggles. We have our own battles and wars that we face each day. The question is: What are you going to do with them? Will you pridefully stand on your own two feet and do whatever you think is best, no matter what the godly people around you are saying? Or will you listen to wisdom, humble yourself, and take that second chance when it is offered to you? Will you prepare your heart to seek the Lord today?
© Susan Blader, 5-11-08
Sources:
1) Bible Works 5, Revision 2, (Bigfork, Montana: Hermeneutika Computer Bible Research Software, 2001).
2) Carl G. Rasmussen, Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible, Maps by Carta, Jerusalem, Regency Reference Library, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House), 1989.
3) Andrew Stewart, Welwyn Commentary Series: A House of Prayer, The Message of 2 Chronicles, (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press), 2001.
4) Charles Swindoll, Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives: Rediscovering Some Old Testament Characters, (Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group), 2005.
5) “Lavish lunch gives python killer indigestion”, Sydney Morning Herald, 10-7-05, http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lavish-lunch-gives-python-killer-indigestion/2005/10/06/1128562943192.html (accessed 5-2-06).
6) “Light Bulb” illustration, submitted by James Newton, Uncommon Friends, http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=1336 (accesed 5-2-06)
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[1] Swindoll
