One of the amazing and wonderful things about Scripture is the way that it comes alive to impact our lives in different ways and at different times. We have been reading through 2 Chronicles together lately as a family, and came to chapter 21. I don’t know how many times I have read 2 Chronicles 21 in my lifetime, but has probably been quite a few times. Up until a few days ago, I could not have told you what the chapter was about or who King Jehoram was. This time, however, was different, and it made an impact on me.
Jehoram, as son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, was a privileged individual. Verse 3 of 2 Chronicles 21 says (speaking of Jehoram and his brothers), “Their father gave them great gifts of silver, gold, and valuable possessions, together with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.” In their time, these brothers, these princes, lived a life of luxury and privilege. They would have been considered to “have had it all.”
However, verse 4 goes on to say, “When Jehoram had ascended the throne of his father and was established, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel.” This is our first indication of what sort of scoundrel Jehoram was. Verse 6 continues, “...And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” Then we get an account of how Jehoram lost control of the countries of Edom and Libnah and led the nation of Judah astray.
And then Elijah, one of my favorite biblical characters, sends him a letter to inform him that because of all the evil that he had done, God would be bringing a plague on his people, his children, his wives, his possessions and that he would be struck with a disease that would cause his bowels to come out of his body! Of course, this came to pass just as God said, and in verse 19, it says “...he died in great agony. His people made no fire in his honor, like the fires made for his fathers.” And verse 20, “...And he departed with no one’s regret...” This dude was such a scoundrel that no one was even sorry that he died!
I am thankful that I cannot think of a leader of our nation that was so bad that no one would be sorry that he died. And I am particularly thankful that Jesus Christ came to die to pay the penalty for sin for all who believe in Him, even if they are as bad as Jehoram.
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