Jehoram & Ahaziah

THEME: The deadly consequences of willing sin.

LESSON: When we set ourselves up against God, nothing but disaster will result.

KEY VERSE: "And he [Jehoram] walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Chr. 21:6).

VERSE TO REMEMBER: "And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung" (Zeph. 1:17).

TRACK RECORD: Jehoram reigned eight years over Judah and, according to Scripture, not a single good thing came out of it. He began his reign wickedly - killing all his brothers in order that no one would be able to threaten his authority. Politically, it was during Jehoram's reign that Edom, a vassal of Israel, broke away from the subjugation of the kingdom. Spiritually, Jehoram undid the good work of his predecessor, making "high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jeualem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah therto" (2 Chr. 21:11). Because of his extensive sins, Jehoram was subject to brutal judgment; he was struck with a disease of the bowels, which eventually led to the need for his bowels to be removed. Furthermore, God roused the Philistines, Arabs, and Ethiopians against Judah. Jehoram died wretchedly, in great pain, and with his people facing enemies from every side.

It was evident the Jehoram's son, Ahaziah, learned nothing from his father's miserable example. The son of Athaliah, and grandson of Ahab and Jezebel, lasted only one year as Judah's ruler and repeated many of his father's sins. He sided with King Joram of Israel, and was eventually killed by Jehu who was commissioned by God to destroy the family of Ahab. When Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy all of her grandsons, save one - Joash - who ruled the land for the next six years. The lesson from both of these kings is clear - evil is a choice - and those who practice it will suffer great consequences.

APPLICATION: The same holds true for the Christian. The sin we commit is our own decision. Though God forgives those who confess their sins - and we must never take for granted His wonderful mercies in doing so - the consequences often remain long after forgiveness has come.

SPIRITUAL EPITAPH: "So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom" (2 Chr. 22:9).