What God Calls Evil

But he was an evil king, for he did not seek the LORD with all his heart. 2 Chronicles 12:14

As I read the stories of the kings in the Old Testament, I am often amazed at how irresponsibly these men behaved. Reading the accounts of David and his descendants, I am saddened at how often these God-appointed leaders rejected the very One who placed them in their positions of authority.

David, whom the Bible describes as "a man after God's own heart" was adulterous, a disconnected father whose sons rebelled in response to his lack of involvement in their lives. David's son Solomon took the throne next, and is known as the wisest man who ever lived. And yet we find that for all his wisdom, Solomon couldn't follow the Lord's simple instructions NOT to intermarry with foreign women, and so he fell into idolatry.

Now Solomon's son, Rehoboam has come on the scene, and in his arrogance he rejects the counsel of experienced advisors. As a result, ten of the tribes of Israel reject him as their king, and the nation of Israel is divided. Ultimately, due to Rehoboam's poor leadership, the kingdom of Judah is attacked by the king of Egypt. But the Bible says in verse 12 that, "Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger was turned aside, and he did not destroy him completely. And there was still goodness in the land of Judah." When I read this, I think this shows a change of heart in Rehoboam, but then I come to verse 14, and God declares him "evil".

What is sobering in this story is the reason the Bible says he was evil. For all of his irresponsibility and poor leadership, this king is recorded as humbling himself and repenting. The Bible doesn't tell us that he married a bunch of foreign women and fell into idolatry like his father did. The Bible doesn't give account of his falling into adultery and murder like his grandfather did. And yet, Rehoboam is the one identified as an evil king!

The scripture says, "he was an evil king, for he did not seek the LORD with all his heart." As I read this, I can't help but feel a little concerned about my own spiritual condition. I love the Lord, I would say with all my heart, but I know that there are times when my actions indicate otherwise. All too often, I get caught up in the cares of this world. There are days when I get up and immediately get caught up in the busy-ness of life on earth without taking the time to seek the face of God through prayer and time in His Word. Sometimes, I just simply hold back, whether out of fear or selfishness or misplaced priorities...

Rehoboam was considerd EVIL because he did not seek the Lord with all of his heart. I do not want this to be said of me! I do not want to be remembered by God as one who was evil.

As I look at these accounts of the kings, it would seem that God looks at things a bit differently than we do. It was not David's actions that made him "a man after God's own heart." It was not Solomon's actions that made him a wise king, loved by God. And it was not Rehoboam's actions that made him an evil king. As God told Samuel the prophet at the beginning of this dynasty, "the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

It is your heart God is most concerned with. When He has our hearts, ultimately, He can bring our actions into alignment with His Word. If He does not have our hearts, we will be prone to evil...

Does God have your heart today?

... Just a thought...