Impeachment Revisited

2 Chronicles 12:8

They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands."

Yesterday marked the closing of the our nation’s first trial against a Supreme Court chief justice. With 20 votes for conviction and only 3 for acquittal, Mr. Corona was pronounced guilty by the impeachment court.  His failure to disclose to the public his SALN as required by the constitution, amounting to 2.4 million USD and 80 million PHP, was found substantive betrayal of public trust. Although he earlier pleaded it was ‘in good faith’ to his interpretation of the Foreign Currency Deposit Law and explained that the other one was a commingled account, the senator-judges obviously did not buy it.  With his position plus all his credentials and experience, it is highly expected of him to best interpret the law and its application. One senator pounded on that importance. And so it’s almost funny when one senator admitted he is not well-versed in law matters, being just a high school graduate. But a lot of us can’t either. We’re just glad we don’t have to.   

In the fifth year of Rehoboam, after his kingly position was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord. Because of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Egypt’s king to attack them. This Shishak captured their fortified cities and carried off all Solomon’s treasures - - meaning all that they long worked for and took pride in. Realizing it was because of their sin, Judah humbled themselves before the Lord and sought His deliverance.  The verse above was God’s response to their prayers. His mercy may grant them rescue from total destruction, but His justice would see that they get disciplined. They needed to see for themselves how liberating is God’s laws compared to tyrants. How His yoke is easy and His burden, light.

Listening to the senator-judges, with all their technical terms and cross references to R.A.’s and more numbers, I can’t help but compare it to the study of the Scriptures.  It likewise requires thoroughness and discipline to interpret it, same high standards for life’s application and practice, and a comparable call for accountability and responsibility.  It quite sounds not for the common Juan.  But unlike the law of the land that shouts total compliance (and a lot of paperworks!), God’s Word, although pro-excellence and submission, is not His measuring rod. Otherwise, we will all be impeached. He will not ask you in heaven whether you know this or that verse, not even whether you obeyed this or that law. His only question was: Did you put your faith in Jesus? I’m sure a lot of senator-like will cry in disbelief ‘That’s it?! Good faith? No cross examinations, no proof of evidence required?’  Well, that’s the difference between serving Him and the rulers of other lands. You won’t find any other tribunal acquitting the guilty. How much more justified? Only in God's court!

All Grown Up

2 Chronicles 12:1

After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD.

Priceless. That’s what parenting is to me. I couldn’t thank God enough for making me one. I may have oftentimes and alternately blurted out boredom and stress, but at the end of the day, I know it’s still the best job in the world. Nothing beats the joy of being hugged every morning and the tickling that follows ‘til they plead for breakfast; what a privilege to be given front seats to their latest stunts and silly make faces, or be called first when they sob for help;  and, who’d ever grow tired hearing them say ‘I love you’ and really meaning it!  I’m so blessed God called me to be a stay-home mom. Even greater blessing that He gave me kids who likewise (still!) want me with them 24/7.  Can they not grow old? hahaha :>

In the previous chapter, we can find Rehoboam quite doing well despite the divided kingdom occurrence. I mean, imagine his insecurity when his expected twelve tribes was downsized to two. That’s at least a hundred thousand fighting men scratched out from his army. No wonder his first agenda was to build up towns of defense and distribute weapons in the remaining cities. And God blessed the work of his hands. Even greater blessing when all the Levites and priests rallied to his side and sought the Lord’s pleasure with him. Sadly though, when they finally reached stability, when they felt there’s no more need to ask, they found no more need for God. We have a word for such people today: Users!

Oh how God must have felt! He who created us into His likeness, who thoughtfully designed our life’s course, who supported our first steps and saw us grow tall; He who is ever present in times of sorrow, who answers our prayers, and provides for our needs - - and then what? We ignore Him first thing in the morning, we eat our meals as if it’s a byproduct of our hardwork, we pursue a relationship and call it the best there is and give it all that we have. Oh why have we forsaken the One who first loved us? Where is that child in us who runs to Him for the joy of His attention, for the help He willingly gives, for the cuddling and tickling and I love you’s?  Are we old enough and stable enough to need His care? Man enough to need God?  Think again child.

Non-Listeners

2 Chronicles 11:4

'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.'" So they obeyed the words of the LORD and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.

Short attention span or selective hearing? I want to believe the first one applies to my toddlers. It sounds more developmental. But the second one? Although behavioral psychology said it’s still part of the natural, the parent-in-me can’t help but consider it disobedience, even defiance. Because it hurts being ignored. Insulting too. Sometimes I resort to punishment, but it all the more proved their innate unwillingness to listen. So like adults actually. They do what they want to do and don’t want to be told. They shut down their faculties at the sight of everything un-fun.  I can’t give in nor give up of course.  I have to stand my ground. But I won’t deny I need to work on my listening skills as well :>

Rehoboam’s downfall was likewise because he failed to listen. His people came to him seeking for a lighter load than that of his father Solomon, but he angered them more. Instead of heeding the elders’ advice and show them kindness, he chose his peers’ loud voice to appear fearsome. Well, he did scare them off. Enough to decide he wasn’t the king they wanted. And enough to divide the kingdom. But what is interesting is that this non-listener, in just a few verses down, was said to be all-ears and compliant to the voice of God. He was already mustering his one hundred and eighty thousand fighting men to war against those rebels when God sent Shemaiah to stop him from going against their brothers. And he obeyed. He actually listened.

I’m sure you have your share of disappointments over those who can’t and won’t listen. Part of that list are those who were just hopping for advice ‘til they meet that one matching their preferences. More than being ignored, it hurts seeing them reject wisdom altogether. But our hope is in the truth that when God makes His stand, no hard hearts nor deaf ears will dare defy. Not even Pharaoh, or the prophet Jonah, or this King Rehoboam. No one. So let’s be patient. Their unresponsiveness is still within the bounds of God’s control. And keep praying. For them, and for ourselves. We do need to hear from God for our next move right?

Comparing X and Y

1 Kings 14:22

Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD. By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than their fathers had done.

In our Ladies lifegroup last Wednesday, I was asked to read a portion from Bill Hybel’s ‘Essential Christianity’ BS material. It was about the author’s conversation with a beautiful woman on a plane. Leaning she was dating an NBA player and another one back home, he asked if she feels a little bit guilty about that. (She also bragged about her party lifestyle, doing grass and all). Let me copy-paste her reply. ‘I am not an Edi Amin, Adolph Hitler type. I am a decent woman. I am well-educated, well-adjusted.. I consider myself as medium as anybody else out there’. To this, Hybels replied, ‘I am interested why you compared yourself to Edi Amin and Hitler. Why not Mother Teresa, St.Francis of Assisi, or Jesus of Nazareth?’ That ended their talk.

We last saw Rehoboam, Solomon’s heir, being stopped by God in his pursuit of uniting the twelve tribes. Now we read him sinning more than his fathers had done. Having the devoted David as your grandfather and the wisest Solomon as father is a big shoe to fill. But if we remember them as David the adulterer-slash-murderer and Solomon the womanizer-slash-idolater, and exceeding that, no wonder we next read of God’s stirred jealous anger. He was no different from the ruler up north. (I wouldn’t push comparing them for one might appear ‘better’). Same Asherah poles, same shrine prostitution. What is worse though is that God chose His Name to reside in Jerusalem. They have the advantage of having His golden temple and His appointed priests there. Unbelievable that they would exchange their beautiful worship set up to stones and poles on hills and under every spreading tree. It’s like preferring to dine in scums when you have a mansion in Forbes. They exchanged a living God for lifeless, man-made idols. It is a child preferring his toy rather than his parents multiplied a million times over.  How insulting it is to equate the highest Being with not even His creation, but His creation’s crafted work! That’s two levels down. A wife may be reasonably jealous of the other woman prettier than her, but how nerve-wracking it is to be disregarded for an aged whore?  God as a holy God means He was set apart from the rest. Peerless! And they represent Him with calves? And we depict Him as man? Oh we should not! The second commandment forbids it – not just the bowing, but the making. He considers them God-haters.

We may not directly and consciously dethrone God in our lives, but by elevating another to our highest gaze is but the same idolatrous, insulting act. God will not share His occupied space - - that’s the heart of this matter.  Anything that robs Him of centrality and our foremost attention is an idol that provokes His jealous anger.  Let’s check our schedules, our finances, our goals, our relationships. Who’s on rank one? Who got the bulk pie percentage? Christ or You? Who or what are those items compared to God? Anyone on the list all-powerful, ever-present, and who knows all things? Anything sure and able to help us out in times of want and troubles, sickness and death? And yet we make them gods? A foolish exchange. A million times fall far short. Definitely not worth comparing.

God's Doing

1 Kings 12:24

This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.' So they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered.

It has been a restless week for me.  My parent’s eight-day-visit meant hosting overload and cooking double than usual. For a young homemaker, that’s quite overwhelming. Add to that a major work invitation I received before they came which needs my decision TODAY. Busyness has always been an opponent of spiritual disciplines. Finding a quiet place to hear God’s word became a real struggle. My heart was pounding hard in anticipation of today’s verdict. ‘Twas a battle between good and His best. But which is which? I submitted myself to His Word and the counsel of two godly men. While pondering on today’s text, the expected call came from my boss, and sharing it with my husband, he likewise agreed.  Peace soothed my soul for it was clearly wisdom from God Himself. Then I went back to my reading and His confirmation surfaced in seemingly highlighted, bold prints: ‘This is My doing’. 

Rehoboam mustered a hundred and eighty thousand men from Judah and Benjamin to reclaim the whole Israel for himself. It was a war response for the rebellion of setting up another king in the northern, ten tribes. If they have no idea it was in punishment for Solomon’s idolatry, they have reasons to see it as a noble and just task. Israel was dividing the kingdom. That was treason! Out of nowhere came Shemaiah, a man of God, telling them to disband and go home - - for it was a fight against their own brothers, and because it was the Lord’s doing.  Interestingly, Rehoboam, who was just verses ago disregarded the plea of Israel and discarded the counsel of the elders, complied. Shemaiah sure did was a man of integrity and credibility for this king and all the men there to take his words as from God Himself. It was refreshingly commendable too that Judah obeyed God’s orders. Despite the idolatry Solomon left them with, they still recognize God’s authority over them. 

Sola Scriptura or the Bible alone is our final authority for faith and practice. Psalm 119:160 says ALL of His words are true and righteous and eternal. 2 Timothy 3:16 backs it up saying ALL scripture is God-breathed and is useful to thoroughly equip us for every good work. It is the solid rock in our ever changing world. People who have been trained by it we can regard as men of integrity whose walk matches God's talk. They are credible for their wisdom is not their own. It was with the same confidence when Paul said ‘Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ’. It will do us well to listen to Pauls and Shemaiahs and be like them. Besides, we do have the Word to cross check their claims. And like the Bereans, we can confirm if 'it is His doing' :>

Feet of the Elderly

1 Kings 12:14

My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.

Early this morning, we brought my family to the airport after staying with us for eight days. It was sadder this time because I was the one left behind. I never  thought I’d cry hard when I got home. With their bedsheets still there, some shared-food left in the fridge, the slippers they used - - every corner flashed detailed memories.  How I wish I could have another day spent with them. Better yet, have a total rewind. For then, I will choose differently. I guess I’d sit more at their feet instead of preferring that Martha apron, pleasing (and impressing) them with all comforts and food I know. I’d also be more accepting and tolerant of their countless, repetitive comments and suggestions rather than that raised defensive shield, for sadly, it did rob us some happy afternoon chats. Oh how could I fool myself that I’m wiser now?  Or that I’m better?

Taking Solomon’s place is a big shoe to fill: the wisest man of his time, wealthy and famous, and whose rule is marked with peace and prosperity. It will surely put the heir in overwhelming expectations, if not insecurity. But Rehoboam neither cared nor pursued those. He wanted to be different. The plea of his people was to lighten their loads, which probably meant taxes for no Israelite was into forced labor. In Solomon’s time, the prosperity of the palace was felt at every home. 'Twas a shared experience. With Rehoboam’s reply of heavier yoke, he intended to widen the gap of royalty and commoners, and draw a line between power and follower. In Solomon’s rule, he acknowledged David’s men and allowed them to continue in their service. Although the wisest, he kept a personal adviser, Zabud, the son of possibly the Nathan who was also close to his father.   But Rehoboam discarded Solomon’s people. He wanted his staff to be filled with fresh blood, new faces, different people. He knew he can’t surpass his father’s wisdom, and so he thought whips can be his concentration and fear his intimidation. We’ll at least he achieved his goal of being differently famous. For in his term birthed the infamous divided kingdom. 

We all want to be better. To discover different routes and conquer uncharted lands. We see science and technology advancing everyday. But not without the aid of previous, primitive studies. It may be rusty and wrong, but even those were kept to make sure we won’t walk that road again. So is the wisdom of the elderly. They may not know the latest gadget or business trends, but it doesn’t mean their principles and tips are outdated. In Psalm 92, the righteous elderly  stays fresh and green, flourishing and bearing fruit. Of course the qualifier is righteousness and the goal is to point the young to God. Age may be our big difference. The present may be our advantage. But we can’t discredit the many years they have walked with God. Soon we’ll have our chance. Our grandkids may soon laugh at our iPads and Blackberries. But by then, we’ll agree with now 92 year old Andy Rooney, "The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person."