Clear As Crystal
Posted on August 6th, 2026 by Redeemed2 Chronicles 12:8
But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.”
Clear as crystal is when the difference between two things are undisputable. Just like you need no explanation and ambiguity when describing day and night, for even a child knows and can explain the difference.
After the death of one of Isreal wisest king, Solomon, his son Rehoboam came on the throne.
Solomon had placed heavy burdens on the people and when his son ruled in his stead after his death the people came as one to the new anointed king to negotiate for lighter services.
He asked for some time to seek for advice on how he would answer them.
He sought advice first from the elders of Isreal on what to tell the people who came asking for lighter services and the elders advise was found in 2 Chrionicles 10:7.
They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”
This advise was good and it's what the people needed to hear at such a time but again, the king thought to also hear from his friends, which naturally are his age group, people he grew up with, young people like him who had no experience dealing with people. And their advise was:
“This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”
- 2 Chronicles 10:10-11.
The king had a chance to calm the frayed nerves of his people who were living under very harsh conditions but how did he go about it?
Scriptures tells us that he choose to listen to the younger people and as he delivered his verdict to the people after they came back to hear what he had to say in response to their requests on the third day, a revolution started and the leaders said to the people;
And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, "What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: "every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
- 2 Chronicles 10:16.
One of the most difficult but important skill in leadership is listening so you can assess the pulse of your people and take action before things go haywire.
Rehoboam was young and inexperienced but he also had access to good advice as a king, but at this critical time he couldn't discern the good advice he was receiving from the elders because Scriptures told us the thing was from the LORD to tear the kingdom in two because of the acts of Solomon his father who was unfaithful at the later part of his reign to God. (1king 11:11-13; 2 Chronicles 10:15).
Every one went their way and the kingdom was divided in two: Judah and Isreal.
Rehoboam ruled over Judah, including Jerusalem.
Now, when Rehoboam saw he was established on the throne, he became unfaithful and God allowed king Shishak of Egypt to attack Jerusalem.
He came against them with a mighty host, hundreds of chariots and thousands of horsemen with innumerable troops.
They captured fortified cities and as the troops advanced against them, they cried to God for help.
The king and all the people fled to Jerusalem for fear of Shishak king of Egypt.
Then the Word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the prophet who spoke as he was commanded.
Then the prophet came to king Rehoboam and all the leaders of Judah who had gathered in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak king of Egypt.
Shemaiah told them, “This is what the lord says: You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak.”
- 2 Chronicles 12:5.
When Judah heard the Word of the Lord, they decided to humble themselves before God, in prayers, and God heard them.
He sent His Word through the prophet again to the king and all Judah.
When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.
- 2 Chronicles 12:7.
By the Word of the Lord, they were saved but God told them something that everyone trusting God will have to decide for themselves.
People often think its not fashionable, not enjoyable and too burdensome to serve the Lord. They want to live a life were there are no restraint, and everything goes kind of life.
Well, God told Judah and their leaders that though their unfaithful was pardoned they will have to serve and become subject to the king of Egypt Shishak so they could learn the difference between what it means to serve God and what it means to serve the kings of the world.
but Shishak will conquer them, and they will learn the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.” 2 Chronicles 12:8
Do you think its burdensome to serve and wait on God?
Are you of the mind that you're missing out and so want to do as others do?
You want to live carefree and carelessly and not answerable to God?
Well, the choice is yours. Also remember, the consequences too are yours, and yours alone.
Judah learned the hard way. They learned by experience the difference between living for God and living for the world.
The difference was clear as crystals because they cried to God for help for the yoke of the world, king Shishak became too heavy for them to bear.
Jesus called all that labour and are weary to come to him for rest, for he said his yoke is easy and his burden is light. (Matthew 11:30).
Whose yoke would you rather bear?
Everyone will have to bear one - God’s or the world, this or that.
Living in the world is not same as living for the world. There's a big difference in between, a difference as clear as crystals!
Make that decision now. Choose wisely.
Godbless.
Shalom!
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