1. Shemaiah & Azariah

2. Background 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 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 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 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 “Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” – 1 Kings 12:19

3. Shemaiah & Azariah Prophecy #1 to Rehoboam – 1 Kings 12:21-24 Prophecy #1 to Rehoboam – 1 Kings 12:21-24 – Rehoboam assembled all of Judah & Benjamin 180,000 chosen warriors to war against Israel 180,000 chosen warriors to war against Israel Seeking to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam Seeking to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam – Shemaiah confronted Rehoboam: You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren Let every man return to his house Let every man return to his house For this thing is from Me For this thing is from Me – They obeyed the word of the Lord Turned back, according to the word of the Lord Turned back, according to the word of the Lord Courageously & faithfully proclaimed by Shemaiah Courageously & faithfully proclaimed by Shemaiah – Application for Christians: Acts 5:29-39

4. Shemaiah & Azariah Prophecy #2 to Rehoboam – 2 Chr. 12:1-16 Prophecy #2 to Rehoboam – 2 Chr. 12:1-16 – Rehoboam est. ed kingdom & forsook the Lord – Another battle ensued This time Egypt was the aggressor, b/c Israel sinned This time Egypt was the aggressor, b/c Israel sinned 1,200 chariots + 6,000 horsemen + people w/o # 1,200 chariots + 6,000 horsemen + people w/o # – Shemaiah prophesied clearly & forthrightly “You have forsaken Me, therefore I have left you.” “You have forsaken Me, therefore I have left you.” – The king & the leaders humbled themselves The Lord saw & respected their humble response The Lord saw & respected their humble response The Lord pulled back their punishment “some” The Lord pulled back their punishment “some” Things went well in Judah when they served God Things went well in Judah when they served God – Application for Christians: James 4:4-10

5. Shemaiah & Azariah Background Background – Prophesied to Asa, 3 rd king of Judah (911-870 B.C.) First years – peaceful & prosperous – 2 Chr. 14:7 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

6. Shemaiah & Azariah Background Background – Prophesied to Asa, 3 rd king of Judah (911-870 B.C.) First years – peaceful & prosperous 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

7. Shemaiah & Azariah Prophecy of Azariah to King Asa – 2 Chr. 15 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 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 Long time w/o God until they needed Him – 15:3 No peace & great turmoil on the land – 15:5 No peace & great turmoil on the land – 15:5 God troubled them when away from Him – 15:6 God troubled them when away from Him – 15:6 All got better when they turned to the Lord – 15:4 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 “Be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” – 15:7

8. Shemaiah & Azariah Asa’s reformation efforts for God – 2 Chr. 15 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 Resolved to seek the Lord with all heart & all soul Death penalty on anyone who not seek the Lord 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

9. Shemaiah & Azariah Application for Christians 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