2nd Chronicles 13 HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD The Holy Spirit who used "holy men of old," kept the writer of the Chronicles focused on that which was important to the work of the returnees from Babylon. They had before them the great task of rebuilding that which had been broken because of the sins of their forefathers. It best suited the objective of Ezra to highlight the good that Abijah did, rather than review his failures. Much of what he did in his short reign was displeasing to God. He did the same sinful things his father did, even to multiplying wives. But that point had already been made in the Chronicles as a warning to the present generation. This one incident in the life of Abijah was of a positive nature and demonstrated that God is willing to use failing, sinful people when they acknowledge Him as the Supreme Authority and Power in the most difficult of circumstances.
In an attempt at reunification, Abijah confronted Jeroboam with 400,000 in his army. However, he hoped that by appealing to the people of Israel who would have still remembered the days when there was fellowship together at the temple, they could avoid a bloody conflict and return in unity to the God of their fathers. In Abijah's speech he identified the promise of God to David to establish his kingship over Israel. He confessed the failure of Rehoboam who paid heed to bad advice. He also pointed out the contrast between worshipping the gold idols that looked like calves, and the worship and promised presence of the living Lord. The more he spoke, the more he ignored Jeroboam in his appeal to the people. But sometimes attempts to right wrongs are too late.
The people of Israel had become used to carrying around the golden calves which gave them something physical they could see. Anything that claims our attention and interferes with our fellowship with God, is sin. The sin of idolatry is rejection of the Lord God. Physical objects that take the place of our faith in our Lord is the first thing forbidden in the ten commandments. Jeroboam's sin in making those idols caused the whole of the northern tribes of Israel to sin. Consequently, they lived under evil leadership until they were taken away 120 years before those who lived in Judah. The responsibility of good leadership was being reviewed for the sake of those who returned from Babylon lest they forgot the preeminence of the Lord in every part of life.
Abijah reminded the people of the significance of divine order in the priesthood. To set up a "priesthood" different from that which God has ordained is to accept a counterfeit in the place of divine appointment. That insulting practice is common today when the priesthood of all believers is counterfeited by man's ordination of those who the learning of people for instruction from God Himself. Some who take the place of a priesthood, or spiritual leaders of people, are not even saved. The ideas of men they have studied and taken as "their truth," has taken the place of the Holy Spirit as the True Teacher, and the One who is "The Truth."
Those who are called upon to represent the Lord in a public role, must learn and practice God's standards and doctrine, rather than pass on what they consider "my truth." Not only that, one's spiritual character and dedication to our Lord adds to their qualifications to speak for God. Priesthood practiced in public today is not limited to those who are highly educated, or who volunteer to take on that work, or who are influential because of their family background or spiritual heritage. The "kingdom of priests" is recognizable because they have new life from God, and live by God's standards as Christians.
Even though the army of Abijah was outnumbered 2 to 1 and was outmaneuvered by the army of Israel under Jeroboam, Judah was victorious because they "relied upon the Lord God of their fathers." "God delivered them into their hand, " and more than half of the army of Israel was either killed or wounded. This was evidence of God's righteous judgment because of Israel's idolatry - and it was just beginning. True faith in God is our strength because it takes our potential way beyond our weakness to the place God's grace is able to be "made perfect" on our behalf. "When I am weak, then am I strong."
There were a number of the kings of Judah who were good for at least part of the years in which they ruled. In contrast those in the north were notable for their wickedness. Idolatry not only is dishonoring to God, but it brings out the worst in human beings. From self-adulation to groveling in the dirt before images, there is only evil that is produced. There is no redeeming feature to the "up with man" culture that is becoming prevalent today. Judah had the temple, the right priesthood, the right altar for the right sacrifices, and they had loyal prophets. All of the evil and negative things Abijah did would not have any reason to be recounted for the benefit of the later generations. The evil associated with him had already been pointed out to the returned exiles by writing about the lives of David, Solomon and Rehoboam.
There is no good reason to belabor a point that has already been made. "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." The writer of the Chronicles wisely looked ahead to the present situation and used this incident in the life of the nation many generations earlier, to remind them to not forsake the Lord our God and His place of meeting with His people nor His word. Also, they were reminded that in times of distress and danger, God delivers His people who have learned to rely on "the Lord God of their fathers." It is always a good practice when passing on truth, lessons to be learned, and historical accounts, to emphasize that which is good. Highlight the good even when having to reference that which is bad.