How does Jehoram's story connect with Deuteronomy 28's blessings and curses? Setting the Scene “Then a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says…’ ” Jehoram, having slaughtered his brothers and ushered paganism into Judah, receives this letter of judgment. Elijah’s words mirror the covenant language first laid out in Deuteronomy 28—where God spelled out blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Jehoram’s biography reads like a case study in how those curses unfold when a king spurns God’s covenant. Jehoram’s Choices: Stepping Outside the Covenant • Killed all six of his brothers to secure the throne (2 Chronicles 21:4). • Married Athaliah, daughter of Ahab, and copied Israel’s idolatry (21:6). • Built high places, led Judah “into prostitution” after other gods (21:11). Each act violated core covenant commands (Exodus 20:3–6; Deuteronomy 17:14-20). Echoes of Deuteronomy 28 Deuteronomy 28 divides neatly: verses 1-14 list blessings for obedience; verses 15-68 enumerate curses for rebellion. Elijah’s letter (2 Chronicles 21:12-15) warns Jehoram that the “curse” section is about to be activated: • “the LORD is about to strike your people” → Deuteronomy 28:21, 25. • “your sons, your wives…everything that is yours” → Deuteronomy 28:18, 32. • “you yourself will be very sick…until your bowels come out” → Deuteronomy 28:27, 35. Line-by-Line: Curses Fulfilled in Jehoram’s Life " Deuteronomy 28 Curse " Jehoram’s Reality " " --- " --- " " v.18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb” " Philistines & Arabs carry off all but one son (2 Chronicles 21:17). " " v.25 “You will be defeated before your enemies” " Edom rebels & wins independence; Libnah revolts (21:8-10). " " v.27 “The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt” " “A disease of the bowels” strikes Jehoram (21:18). " " v.29 “You will be only oppressed and plundered continually” " Raiders loot palace treasures, wives, and sons (21:16-17). " " v.35 “The LORD will afflict you with a grievous boil…from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head” " Two-year intestinal agony ends in his death (21:19). " " v.62 “You will be left few in number” " Family almost wiped out; only Ahaziah survives (21:17). " Withheld Blessings Judah Could Have Enjoyed • Military protection (Deuteronomy 28:7) → instead, Edom & Libnah revolt. • National elevation (28:1, 13) → instead, Judah becomes servile. • Long life and secure dynasty (28:11) → instead, Jehoram dies at 40; no one mourns (21:20). • Prosperity of crops and herds (28:4-8) → instead, palace wealth is plundered. Every blessing absent corresponds to a curse that lands. Takeaway: Covenant Consequences Still Stand Jehoram’s reign shows that the covenant’s blessings and curses were not abstract promises—they were lived realities. When a king rejected God’s ways, the Deuteronomy 28 curses moved from parchment to palace, demonstrating God’s unwavering faithfulness to His word, both in judgment and, for the obedient, in blessing. |
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