Pastor Gbenga Aluko
The message will be done with the following headings:
· * Background
· * Meaning (context)
· * Rehoboam goes off the radar
· * Biblical examples/ references of replacing Gold with Bronze
· * Conclusion
Background
The kingdom of Israel became divided into two after the reign of King Solomon: the Southern Kingdom largely referred to as Judah (with the seat of power in Jerusalem King ‘David’s original seat) and the Northern Kingdom known as Israel (had the seat of control changing at some points from Sheckem to Tirzah and finally Samaria)
The scriptures in book of 2 Chronicles was written after the exile, is focused on the deeds of the kings of Judah, the sons of Solomon, the importance of worship ( there were some revivals and major awakening to true God and His worship)and consequences of lack of same to the true God, the book concludes with the destruction of Jerusalem and exile of God’s people to Babylon, may we not get to the point of exile /abandonment/being replaced before we heed God’s call to righteousness and true worship in Jesus mighty name Amen. 2 Cor.6:2, Col.3:6
Meaning (replacing gold with bronze)
· *. Settling for less than God’s best. Abram on Hagar Gen.16:2ff, Children of Israel with God on kings. 1 Sam. 8:11-18. Are we not caught in same web? Lets get God and access His best for our lives Jer.29:11, Is there a use for speed in the wrong direction, it is rather a disservice. Gen 26:1ff.
· *. Any attempt to cover/fill up a lacuna created by wrong choices, God’s punishment or both. King Rehoboam 2 Chro 12:10.
Rehoboam goes off the radar
Rehoboam is the 4th king of Israel from Saul, he ruled the divided kingdom of Israel for seventeen (17) years from 975 BC, he was the son of Solomon.
The scriptures succinctly states that after he had established the kingdom and himself, he abandoned the Lord, His laws. 2 Chr.12:1, all Israel followed him.
Who is God to us? a means of achievement or a father to be loved and followed, how we see and relate with Him determines what happens to us now and how/where we will spend our eternity.
May God give us leaders who only influences people positively by both who they are and what they do and say in Jesus mighty name amen. Rehoboam was a negative influence on the people he led. What kind of influence are you having on God’s people? God is watching and will reward.
The recalcitrance of Rehoboam was very expensive for him and the people he led:
· God abandoned him vs.5
· God allowed Shishak king of Egypt to invade their land vs.5
· He took away everything of value from the treasuries, gold and gold shields
Have we not abandoned the Lord, (Rehoboam was still king but abandoned the God who made Him, His father and grand- father king),His laws, our first love for Him, this is a plea for us to retrace our steps before God’s judgement locates us.
Biblical examples/ references of replacing Gold with Bronze
The bible is replete with examples of men and women who replaced gold with bronze some even replaced their gold with sand or even ashes as the case may be, let’s look at very few of them:
· Aaron and the children of Israel abandoning their God for a make shift golden calves. Ex.32:1ff
· Judas Iscariot, choosing to deny Jesus because of 30 pieces of silver, His three years learning from Jesus, all the signs and wonders that he saw didn’t build discipline, faith and loyalty worth more than that token to him, he exchanged Jesus and his relationship to him for 30 pieces of Silver. Matt.26:14-16. what are you exchanging Jesus for?
· Martha was distracted by household task and preparations(bronze) that she couldn’t make time to learn from the greatest rabbi at this instance. Luke 10:38-42
· Samson a Nazirite unto the Lord, willingly donated his gold to disobedience to God, no razor shall touch your head. Judges 13:4ff
· The Young prophet who heard God clearly and whose work/ministry was filled with signs allowed (the bronze,when compared to God) the old prophet deceive/mislead him with the voice of the angel.1 kings 13:1ff
Conclusion
Anyone doing anything asides God’s purpose/mandate/ordination for his or her life, anyone staying anywhere outside of God’s direction, anyone who has abandoned God, His word/ways for whatever excuse or replacement, anyone using any evil/demonic powers outside the Holy Spirit to achieve whatever is replacing Gold with bronze. Return to God today before its too late. 2 Chr.7:14