When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying: “They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they shall be his servants, so that they may know the difference between serving me and serving the kingdoms of other lands.” 2 Chronicles 12: 7, 8, NRSV.
Dear God, You exercise justice in all of Your dealings with the children of humankind! Oh, that we would follow You and be blessed! This is our prayer in the gracious name of Jesus! Amen.
When I read this text the thought that came to my mind was: When we sin, even though God forgives us completely, sin brings with it, its own consequences. Our text is taken from the experience of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and grandson of David. The Bible states distinctly, that for three years, Rehoboam the king was made secure because he and the people “walked in the way of David and Solomon” (11: 17). Of course this was referring to the days when David and Solomon walked in the ways of the LORD. If the story had ended this way it would have been wonderful, but by the time we reach chapter 12: 1, sacred Scripture informs us that when Rehoboam’s reign was established and he became strong, “he abandoned the law of the LORD, he and all Israel with him.”
There seems to be a law that is established in nature that when we sin, even if we truly repent, the circumstances created by our sin seem to take on a life of their own, and work against us. Perhaps that statement would be better understood by using a simple example: A man begins to smoke from he is very young. There are warnings posted everywhere about the hazards of smoking. He is aware that there exists the possibility of contracting emphysema; or cancer of the mouth, throat, or lungs, and many other maladies, as a consequence. After many years of smoking the individual accepts Jesus as his Savior from sin, and becomes aware that his body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. He confesses his sin of intemperance and decides to stop smoking. Not long after, he is diagnosed with one of the serious maladies that is directly related to smoking. Does that mean that God did not forgive him? Not at all – the minute he sincerely repented, God wholeheartedly forgave him. Nevertheless, the laws of health that had been violated, yielded their results; sin paid its wages.
I compare that example to the statement in our Scripture that reads, “Nevertheless, they shall be his (Shishak’s) servants, so that they may know the difference between serving me and serving the kingdom of other lands.” This statement comes after the declaration, “I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem . . . ” Remember Jesus’ words recorded in the gospel according to Matthew, “No man can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other” (6: 24). Perhaps we do not take sin more seriously because we believe that it is simply a voluntary act on our behalf. It is not, it is more than that! It is an act of servitude! We either serve God, or, we serve the adversary.
Therefore, a paraphrase of the words of Jesus, “Even though I forgive them, I will allow them to see for themselves, how well off they were serving Me, when they see how hard it is to serve Shishak.” God forgives us, but it is our sin that penalizes us!