2 Chronicles 10-11
Go home, for what has happened is my doing. – 2 Chronicles 11:4 NLT
Chapters 10 and 11 of 2 Chronicles contains virtually the same information contained in 1 Kings 12 and 13, with a few exceptions. They literally chronicle the sad demise of Solomon's grand kingdom as it splits into two separate entities. No longer unified under the banner of Yahweh, the northern and southern kingdoms go their separate ways, yet both unified in their pursuit of false gods over the one true God. God had "warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord's command" (1 Kings 11:16 NLT). God had told Solomon "I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants" (1 Kings 11:11 NLT), and that is exactly what He did. God orchestrated the entire thing. He raised up Jeroboam, a virtually unknown young man who was the son of a single mother. As he grew up, he became one of the workers helping to repair the walls of the city of Jerusalem, one of the many construction projects funded by Solomon. He was a hard worker and was later recognized by Solomon for his diligence and leadership. As a result, Solomon would make him a foreman over a team of workers. Little did Solomon know that this young man was going to be used by God to bring about the destruction of his own kingdom. When he did catch wind of Jeroboam's anointing by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29), Solomon tried to have him killed. But Jeroboam would flee to Egypt, only to return at a later date, when Solomon's son Rehoboam was on the throne.
God was in charge. He always had been and always would be. He is in charge today. Nothing escapes His notice. Nothing is out from under His sovereign control and power. He rules and reigns over everyone and everything, whether we realize it or not – whether it looks like it or not. Rehoboam would go through all kinds of efforts to fortify against attack the cities remaining in his diminished kingdom. But little did he know that God was the one preserving the tribe of Judah. "But I will leave him (Solomon) one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel" (1 Kings 11:32 NLT). God didn't need Rehoboam's help in protecting Jerusalem or preserving the tribe of Judah. God had it covered.
At the end of the day, God's will was going to be done. The same thing is true in our world today. Tsunamis, earthquakes, nuclear disasters, wars, rebellions, egomaniacal despots, and well-armed military powers are no match for the sovereign will of God Almighty. He has been working His divine plan since before the creation of the world. He is never caught off guard, left empty handed, surprised or out of control. His will is always done and always done perfectly. The best schemes of men can not in any way alter the prefect plans of God. Rehoboam would declare war of Jeroboam. He could try and eliminate him as a threat. He could try and restore the kingdom to its former glory. But it would all be useless in light of God's much greater plan. This was about much more than Solomon's kingdom, Rehoboam's reign, or Israel's diminished influence in the Middle East. This was about God's much larger story of the redemption of man. God had chosen Israel as His people from all the nations of the earth. He had chosen the tribe of Judah out of all the tribes of Israel. He had chosen David out of all the sons of Jesse. He had chosen Bethlehem out of all the cities of Israel. He had chosen the time of Augustus Caesar, when Rome was at its zenith in terms of influence, to send His Son to be born to a young virgin girl who was a descendant of David herself. God's plan involved Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Mary, Joseph, Herod, Pilate, Judas and so many others. But it was about so much more than them. It was about God. It always has been. This is His story of redemption, and the star has always been and will always be His Son Jesus Christ. "What has happened is my doing!" Everything that has ever happened is ultimately God's doing. Does God commit evil? Does God cause sin? Does God produce rebellion in the lives of those He creates? No. But He allows it. He tolerates it. He uses it. Man has always been free to choose his own way, to fulfill the desires of his heart, to make his own destiny. But at the end of the day, God is always in control. His will cannot be deterred or diminished. His way will always be accomplished. So when we face difficulties or trials, we can rest assured that God is in control. He is not asleep, away from His post, or unaware of what is going on. He is sovereign and He is at work. Rest easy. Relax. Rejoice.
Father, Your Word is a reminder of Your sovereign will. All the machinations of men cannot alter one inch the plan You have put into place for the world and all those who live in it. Earthquakes are no problem for You. Military powers are no match for You. Disobedient, rebellious individuals are no setback for You. What shocks and surprises us is nothing to You. You never worry, ring Your hands in anxiety, or cry Yourself to sleep at night in fear. Your plan is perfect and You are fulfilling it to perfection. Thank You! Amen