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Shemaiah & Azariah. Shemaiah & Azariah. S H E M A I A H. Background Prophesied to Rehoboam , the son of Solomon & first king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah Rehoboam became king when he was 41 years old
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Shemaiah & Azariah S H E M A I A H • Background • Prophesied to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon & first king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah • Rehoboam became king when he was 41 years old • He made very devastating decisions when he first became king of Israel, leading to the division of the kingdom • Jeroboam led a revolt against Solomon before his death, ultimately tearing the 10 northern tribes away into a separate/divided kingdom • “Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” – 1 Kings 12:19
Shemaiah & Azariah S H E M A I A H • Prophecy #1 to Rehoboam– 1 Kings 12:21-24 • Rehoboam assembled all of Judah & Benjamin • 180,000 chosen warriors to war against Israel • Seeking to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam • Shemaiah confronted Rehoboam: • You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren • Let every man return to his house • For this thing is from Me • They obeyed the word of the Lord • Turned back, according to the word of the Lord • Courageously & faithfully proclaimed by Shemaiah • Application for Christians: Acts 5:29-39
Shemaiah & Azariah S H E M A I A H • Prophecy #2 to Rehoboam– 2 Chr. 12:1-16 • Rehoboamest.ed kingdom & forsook the Lord • Another battle ensued • This time Egypt was the aggressor, b/c Israel sinned • 1,200 chariots + 6,000 horsemen + people w/o # • Shemaiah prophesied clearly & forthrightly • “You have forsaken Me, therefore I have left you.” • The king & the leaders humbled themselves • The Lord saw & respected their humble response • The Lord pulled back their punishment “some” • Things went well in Judah when they served God • Application for Christians: James 4:4-10
Shemaiah & Azariah A Z A R I A H • Background • Prophesied to Asa, 3rd king of Judah (911-870 B.C.) • First years – peaceful & prosperous – 2 Chr. 14:7 • He banished the perverted persons from the land • He removed the altars of the foreign gods • He broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. • He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. • The kingdom was quiet under him. • He had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest – 2 Chr. 14:2-6
Shemaiah & Azariah A Z A R I A H • Background • Prophesied to Asa, 3rd king of Judah (911-870 B.C.) • First years – peaceful & prosperous • Zerah the Ethiopian came to battle with one million men • Asa turned to the Lord for help – 2 Chr. 14:10-11 • It is nothing for You to help! • With many or with those who have no power! • Help us, our God, for we rest on You! • In Your name we go against this multitude! • You are our God! • Do not let man prevail against You! • The Lord defeated Israel’s enemies – 2 Chr. 14:12-15
Shemaiah & Azariah A Z A R I A H • Prophecy of Azariah to King Asa – 2 Chr. 15 • Reminded Asa his only hope was to trust God • He is with you, while you’re with Him…If…If – 15:2 • Reminded Judah of Israel’s condition & conseq • Long time w/o God until they needed Him – 15:3 • No peace & great turmoil on the land – 15:5 • God troubled them when away from Him – 15:6 • All got better when they turned to the Lord – 15:4 • Encouraged Asa to remain steadfast • “Be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” – 15:7
Shemaiah & Azariah A Z A R I A H • Asa’s reformation efforts for God – 2 Chr. 15 • Destroyed abominable idols & restored the altar of the Lord – 15:8 • Gathered the people to him “when they saw that the Lord his God was with him” – 15:9-11 • People entered covenant with the Lord – v. 12-13 • Resolved to seek the Lord with all heart & all soul • Death penalty on anyone who not seek the Lord • Removed Maachah because of her idol – 15:16 • He brought back into the house of God those things dedicated to God – 15:18
Shemaiah & Azariah A Z A R I A H • Application for Christians • Without God, we are nothing! • Obeying the Lord & serving Him faithfully has great rewards –cf. 15:15, 19 • Straying away from the Lord has dire consequences – cf. 15:4-6, 13 • Even if we are not perfect and even if others around us choose to dishonor the Lord, may our hearts be loyal to God all our days – 15:17