Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 21, Psalm 90
Jehoram’s brothers—the other sons of Jehoshaphat—were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items, and also some of Judah’s fortified towns. However, he designated Jehoram as the next king because he was the oldest. But when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah. – 2 Chronicles 21:2-4
It was Jewish tradition that the oldest son would become the father’s successor, so Jehoram was naturally named as king. But having silver, gold, authority, and honor was not enough for Jehoram. He wanted to do what he wanted to do, so he killed his brothers. There was potential for Jehoram’s brothers to complicate his life and get in the way of his plans. Therefore, because it was within his rights as king to kill his brothers, that is what he did.
HE EXERCISED HIS RIGHT TO END THE LIFE OF ANOTHER PERSON SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT GET IN THE WAY OF WHAT HE WANTED TO DO WITH HIS LIFE.
Jehoram had the choice to follow in his father’s footsteps and lead the people of Judah in the worship of the one true God, or he could follow the ways of his father-in-law. You see, the alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab had led to Jehoram marrying one of Ahab’s daughters. The young king was influenced by his wife and did what was evil in the Lord’s sight (21:6). He built pagan shrines and led the people of Judah in the worship of pagan gods, influencing them to stray away from their God (21:11).
While Jehoram was exercising his rights as king, God was exercising His authority as the Supreme Almighty God. Jehoram could choose to live his life however he wanted to because he had free will, but there would be consequences to his sinful ways. He knew what God required of His people, but he blatantly chose a different way. The outcome of the life he had chosen was painful and led to an excruciating death.
JUST BECAUSE HE HAD THE LEGAL RIGHT TO STOP THE BEATING HEART OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING DID NOT MEAN HE HAD THE SPIRITUAL RIGHT.
The Lord caused the Philistines and Arabs to attack Judah and its king. They looted the royal palace, carrying away everything that was valuable, including Jehoram’s sons and his wives. The only son left behind was the youngest son, Ahaziah.
After all this, the Lord struck Jehoram with an incurable intestinal disease. The disease grew worse and worse, and at the end of two years it caused his bowels to come out, and he died in agony. His people did not build a great funeral fire to honor him as they had done for his ancestors. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery. – 2 Chronicles 21:18-20
Jehoram had the opportunity to do great things for God, but he desired to do great things for himself. Jehoram had the choice to live for the glory of God, but instead he lived to bring glory to himself. Jehoram took the gift of freewill and made a mess out of his life, and he influenced the whole nation of Judah to abandon the One who had so faithfully provided for them generation after generation. And his whole life can be summed up in these words:
NO ONE WAS SORRY WHEN HE DIED.
Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. — Psalm 1:1-6
Father God, help me to see beyond what I want to do today to see what you want to do with my life. Take this selfish heart and give me a heart that beats in unison with yours. Teach me the many ways you are calling me to respect life and submit to your ways, so that you can be glorified in all that I say or do. Watch over my path and help me to grow stronger in my faith so that I can bear fruit for you in every season. As a society, help us to look beyond what we have been given the legal right to do in order to clearly see what we have and have not been given the spiritual right to do. Amen.
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
Let us, your servants, see you work again;
let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful! – Psalm 90:14-17