PUNISHED FOR DOING WRONG

PROCLAMATION

“… Because thou has not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father … and made Judah … like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also has slain thy brothers … Behold, with a great plague will The Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives … And thou shall have a great sickness by disease of thy bowels …”  2 Chronicles 21:12-15 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After Jehoshaphat died his firstborn son Jehoram reigned in his stead.  Jehoram had six younger brothers, each of whom were given gold, silver, and precious stones by their father Jehoshaphat; and each ruled one of the fortified cities in Judah but Jehoram was given the kingdom. (2 Chronicles 21:1-3)  Jehoram strengthen his position as king of Judah by killing all of his brothers.  He did not follow the ways of his father and he did evil in the eyes of The Lord.  He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and Ahab had done.  He even married a daughter of and made war against Judah.  At about the same time Libnah also rebelled against Judah.  He had high places built within Judah and  led the people away from God. (2 Chronicles 21:7-11)  Elijah the prophet sent Jehoram a letter telling him that because he had not followed the way of The Lord, and because he had led Judah astray, and because he had killed his brothers, The Lord will send a great plague upon your people, your children, your wives, and your goods.  However, you will be stricken with a severe disease of the bowels and you will suffer until your bowels fall out of you. (2 Chronicles 12-15)  The Lord also caused the Philistines and the Arabians to attack and defeat Judah, and to carry off all of the goods in the king’s palace.  They also took his wives and his sons except for the youngest one. He suffered with his incurable bowel disease for two years before his bowels fell out of him and he died in great pain. (2 Chronicles 21:16-20)

APPLICATION

Some of us think that we can do whatever we want to do and that we will get away with it.  The Lord God above knows all and sees all.  It may not happen right away, we will be punished for sinning and for not following His Holy Word.  This applies to believers also.  “Every man’s work shall be made manifest … it shall be revealed by fire … if a man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved …” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)  Fret not thyself because of evildoers … for they shall soon be cut down …” (Psalm 37:1-2)  The unjust shall be punished. (2 Peter 2:9)  Do good and be blessed, or do wrong and be punished.