What does 2 Chronicles 28:6 reveal about God's response to disobedience? Setting the Scene King Ahaz of Judah had abandoned the LORD, pursuing idolatry and pagan practices (2 Chronicles 28:1–4). In response, the LORD removed His protective hedge, allowing surrounding nations to strike Judah. Verse at a Glance “Pekah son of Remaliah slaughtered one hundred twenty thousand in Judah in one day—all brave men—because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.” (2 Chronicles 28:6) Key Observations • The scale of loss—120,000 soldiers in a single day—underscores the severity of the judgment. • Those killed were “brave men,” indicating that courage or military strength cannot shield a people when God’s favor is withdrawn. • The cause is explicit: “because they had forsaken the LORD.” The text ties the disaster directly to spiritual rebellion, not to chance or mere military disadvantage. What This Reveals About God’s Response to Disobedience • Divine Protection Lifted: When God’s covenant people reject Him, He may remove the shield that once preserved them (Deuteronomy 28:15, 25). • Swift and Measurable Consequences: Judgment can arrive suddenly and tangibly, affecting even the strongest among the people (Leviticus 26:17). • Covenant Faithfulness Enforced: God honors His Word both in blessing and in discipline; forsaking Him invokes the covenant curses He had warned about (Joshua 23:15–16). • Moral Cause Behind Physical Events: Scripture interprets historical calamity through a moral lens—national sin invites national catastrophe (Judges 2:14). • Reminder of God’s Holiness: The LORD’s intolerance of idolatry highlights His holy nature and His rightful demand for exclusive worship (Exodus 20:3–5). Related Scriptures • Deuteronomy 32:30 – “How could one man chase a thousand... unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?” • Psalm 44:9 – “But now You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies.” • 2 Chronicles 15:2 – “If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” • Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... you have forgotten the law of your God.” Takeaway for Today Disobedience still grieves the heart of God and invites discipline (Hebrews 12:6). While Christ has borne eternal judgment for believers, the principle remains: turning from the LORD forfeits His immediate blessings and protection. A tender, repentant heart keeps us under the shelter of the Almighty and aligned with His life-giving purposes. |
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