He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He departed with no one's regret. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
II Chronicles 21: 20 NRSV
Well, I have been to many interesting funerals but I have never heard of anyone spoken of who “departed with no one's regret.” I find this to be bible humor. Hope some of you laughed.
Our laughter aside, there was a very clear reason that he departed with no one's regret. Jehoram was a really bad “dude.” He killed all his brothers as soon as he ascended to the throne. He took King Ahab's daughter as his wife and was greatly influenced by that evil household. He set up the high places and made the people of Judah be unfaithful to God. He caused several neighbors to become enemies of Judah. The prophet Elijah wrote him a letter prophesying his downfall and death because of his evil deeds. His country and household were invaded by Judah's enemies and he died in misery and pain. The only thing which saved him from an early demise was that he was of the house of David.
What can we learn from such a man? Not to be bad “dudes” is one possibility. Certainly none of us wants to go to the grave with no one mourning our death. But the worst is God's own condemnation of Jehoram. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and aroused the Lord's anger.
Have you ever done anything in your lifetime that aroused God's anger?
Thank God for the mercy offered to each one of us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
God, be merciful to us and forgive us. Be not angry at our deeds and mistakes. Cause your face to shine upon us and be merciful to us. In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
