2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 11: The LORD's word stops a war

Begin in prayer

Before you read how the LORD stopped an army with His word, ask Him to teach your family to listen when He speaks. Ask Him also to show you the great Priest, Jesus Christ.

Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.

Psalm 105:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your word is stronger than any army, and that You are found by those who seek You. Lead us to Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Rehoboam gathers one hundred eighty thousand warriors from Judah and Benjamin to fight Israel and win back the kingdom. The word of the LORD comes to Shemaiah, the man of God, telling them not to go up and fight their brothers. They listen to the words of the LORD and go home. Rehoboam builds fortified cities in Judah and fills them with captains, food, shields and spears. The priests and Levites of Israel come to Judah, because Jeroboam has cast them off and appointed his own priests. People from every tribe who set their hearts to seek the LORD come to Jerusalem to sacrifice, and Judah grows strong.

As you read 2 Chronicles 11, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD turned back Rehoboam's army by His word, and those who sought Him came to Jerusalem.

Rehoboam gathered a hundred eighty thousand warriors to fight Israel and bring the kingdom back (verse 1). Then the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, the man of God (verse 2). The LORD told them not to go up or fight against their brothers, and they listened and went home (verse 4). The LORD's word turned back an army, and this shows that it is stronger than any force. Meanwhile Jeroboam had cast out the LORD's priests and set up his own for the high places (verses 14 and 15). The Levites left their land and came to Judah, and people from every tribe came after them (verses 13 to 16). They were people who set their hearts to seek the LORD, and they came to Jerusalem to sacrifice (verse 16). This matters because seeking the LORD is a matter of the heart, and it led them to where He was worshiped. It shows a God who speaks, and who is found by those who seek Him.

How does 2 Chronicles 11 show us that the LORD turned back Rehoboam's army by His word, and that those who sought Him came to Jerusalem?

The LORD told Rehoboam not to fight his brothers.

Rehoboam gathered one hundred eighty thousand chosen warriors to fight Israel (verse 1). The word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God (verse 2). The LORD said not to go up or fight, for this thing was from Him (verse 4). They listened and returned from going against Jeroboam (verse 4).

The Levites left Jeroboam's false priests and came to Judah.

The Levites left their lands and came to Judah and Jerusalem (verse 14). Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from serving the LORD as priests (verse 14). Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the calves he had made (verse 15). The Levites stood with Rehoboam out of all their territory (verse 13).

Those who set their hearts to seek the LORD came to Jerusalem.

After the Levites, people out of all the tribes of Israel came, who set their hearts to seek the LORD (verse 16). They came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers (verse 16). They strengthened the kingdom of Judah for three years (verse 17). For three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon (verse 17).

Jesus is the great priest who lives forever.

Jeroboam made his own priests, but Jesus is the true and great High Priest. Hebrews says death stopped the many priests, but Jesus lives forever and keeps His priesthood (Hebrews 7 verses 23 and 24). Sinners who come to God through Him are in the care of a priest who never dies.

Memorise

So they listened to Yahweh’s words, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 11:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, am I seeking God, and will I come to Jesus, the true priest?

To Rehoboam the LORD sent His word, and the army “listened to Yahweh’s words, and returned.” Those who set their hearts to seek Him came to Jerusalem to sacrifice. Jesus is the priest who stands before God for sinners, and He lives forever (Hebrews 7 verses 23 and 24).

No sacrifice that Judah offered could take sin away for good. Jesus gave His life for His sheep, and with that one offering He paid for their sin once for all. He rose from the dead, and now He lives to plead for them.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will find forgiveness, and a priest who never leaves.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD's word turned back an army, and that Jesus is the priest who brings sinners to God. Parents, verses 18 to 23 tell of Rehoboam's many wives, and you may leave them out for young children. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His word is stronger than any army, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!”

Psalm 40:16

Father, thank You that Your word stops what no army can stop. Thank You for Jesus, our great priest, who gave His life for sinners and rose again. Please lead each of us to seek You and to trust Him. Amen.