The Lord is just
Day 274, Monday, May 12
2 Chronicles Chapter 10 – 14:1
The kingdom quickly splits into north (Israel) and south (Judah). The split comes through pride, when the people of Israel, represented by Jeroboam, go to King Rehoboam to get him to reduce the heavy burden of labor and tribute that Solomon had laid on them.
Solomon’s advisers tell Rehoboam to comply and gain their loyalty. Instead, he listens to the young men he had grown up with and makes the demands even heavier, ensuring their resentment.
This leads to a split, with Jeroboam becoming king of Israel and Rehoboam limited to governing Judah, and the two kingdoms more or less constantly at war.
While neither king was faithful to God, Rehoboam did get one respite when he was attacked by Egyptian King Shishak. Rehoboam and his leadership humble themselves and say, “The Lord is just.” That is enough for God to be willing to protect them, telling the prophet Shemaiah, “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance.”
While Egypt was still victorious, Israel was not destroyed and Rehoboam kept his kingdom.

Monday meditation

Proverbs 27:17-19
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

Prayer focus
Lord, let us always stay humble in your eyes, and not only when disaster threatens.

-Rev. Mark Fleming