SHÉMAIAH THE PROPHET

SHÉMAIAH THE PROPHET: (THE MAN GOD USED TO STOP A CIVIL WAR) One of the most overlooked prophets in Scripture is Shemaiah. His ministry appears at one of the most volatile moments in Israel’s history, the division of the kingdom after Solomon. After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam rejected wise counsel and ruled harshly. The result was national fracture. Ten tribes followed Jeroboam. Judah and Benjamin remained with Rehoboam. Rehoboam’s response was not repentance. It was war. He assembled one hundred eighty thousand chosen warriors to force the nation back together by blood. Then God intervened. “But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel return every man to his house for this thing is from me.” 1 Kings 12:22 to 24 KJV This is critical. God did not say the division was good. He said it was from Him. And Rehoboam obeyed. “So they hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.” 1 Kings 12:24 KJV A civil war was stopped by one prophet speaking one sentence of truth. Later, when Judah turned away from God, the LORD again sent Shemaiah, this time to explain judgment. Egypt invaded Judah under King Shishak. “Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.” 2 Chronicles 12:5 KJV Instead of resisting the message, Judah humbled themselves. “Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and they said, The LORD is righteous.” 2 Chronicles 12:6 KJV And God responded with mercy. “And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance.” 2 Chronicles 12:7 KJV Shemaiah’s role was not popularity. It was obedience. He did not flatter kings. He did not soften judgment. He did not incite violence. He spoke exactly what God said, and history changed. - More Joy Ministries #morejoyministries