How does 2 Chronicles 21:16 connect with God's warnings in Deuteronomy 28? Jehoram’s Background: A Heart Turned from God • Jehoram of Judah murdered his brothers, married Ahab’s daughter, and “walked in the ways of the kings of Israel” (2 Chronicles 21:4–6). • He led Judah into idolatry, prompting a prophetic letter from Elijah that warned of devastating judgment (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). God Acts: 2 Chronicles 21:16 “Then the LORD stirred against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and Arabs who were near the Cushites.” Linking Back to Deuteronomy 28: The Covenant Curses • Defeat by foreign enemies: “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies.” (Deuteronomy 28:25) • Invasion by distant peoples: “The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the ends of the earth…” (Deuteronomy 28:49) • Loss of produce and possessions: “A people you do not know will eat the produce of your land and all your labor.” (Deuteronomy 28:33) Point-by-Point Parallels • 2 Chronicles 21:16-17 reports Philistines and Arabs invading Judah; Deuteronomy 28:25, 49 warned that God Himself would incite foreign nations against a rebellious people. • The attackers “carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace” (2 Chronicles 21:17); Deuteronomy 28:33 foretold foreigners consuming the fruit of the land and labor. • Jehoram’s family was devastated—“Not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz” (2 Chronicles 21:17); Deuteronomy 28:32, 41 predicted children taken or lost through covenant disobedience. • The text underscores that the invasion was “stirred” by the LORD (2 Chronicles 21:16). This mirrors the covenant formula “The LORD will cause” used repeatedly in Deuteronomy 28 to show that the curses are direct, purposeful acts of God, not random misfortune. What We Learn about God’s Faithfulness to His Word • God’s covenant promises include blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion; both are equally certain. • Historical narratives like 2 Chronicles 21 confirm that God’s warnings in Deuteronomy were not idle threats. • God’s sovereignty extends over the nations; He can stir the hearts of pagan peoples to accomplish His judicial purposes (cf. Isaiah 10:5-7; Habakkuk 1:6). Personal Takeaways for Us Today • God means what He says; every promise and warning in Scripture stands firm. • Persistent sin invites discipline, and that discipline is often executed through means that appear ordinary or political. • Trustworthy obedience brings protection and blessing, while hardened disobedience opens the door to consequences already spelled out in God’s Word. |
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