2 Chronicles 12:10 (KJV)
Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.
I guess, as an older man, I have become prone to reflect—to look back at memories and things from my past. Even so, this text elicits a memory.
There was at one time a pastor in Ashland, Oregon, whom I began in the ministry with at about the same time. I think I remember he was from Jerome, Idaho. He was one of the most pleasant personalities to be around—calm in demeanor, confident, and he could sing like nobody’s business.
I remember he and I at a pastors’ meeting once. The building we were meeting in was newly constructed. He turned to me and remarked that perhaps God would one day allow us to be full-time pastors and even have a building such as the one we were in.
Later, at a pastors’ fellowship in Aloha, he preached from this text. He described Rehoboam’s unwise choices, his turning from the Lord, the nation’s following him in backsliding, and God’s chastening of Israel because of it. He described how the king of Egypt took the shields of gold Solomon had made, but how Rehoboam instead made shields of brass. He said that those shields, if the sun hit them just right, and if no one looked at them too long, might appear to be as elegant as gold.
Then he applied that to the ministry. He spoke of a false presence of God—a false glory. He spoke of beautiful buildings that, so long as no one really thought about it, could appear to be evidence of God’s blessing.
I frankly think I remember enjoying the message.
But I also remember the response of another pastor there, who led one of the larger churches in our fellowship. As I recall, he took offense to the message and seemed to view it as a criticism of larger churches like his own, and perhaps even the church we were meeting in.
Years have passed.
That pastor’s church and the church in Aloha are neither one Baptist now. One still exists, but it is a shell of its former self. I do not say that to judge, because the church I pastored at that time is no longer what I believe to be a doctrinally sound church either.
Perhaps there were far too many “brass shields” in that room that day—some we would have never expected.
Rehoboam, the Bible says, did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. But the Bible also says that when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord was turned from him, and things went well in Judah.
I have not met a perfect person. But I can say this: the best ones I know do not fake their faith, purposely seek the Lord, and humble themselves often.
#BrassShieldsFaith #SeekTheLord #TrueGloryNotBrass #HumilityBeforeGod #PreparedHeart
When Brass Looks Like Gold: Don’t Let Appearance Replace Authentic Faith
Have you ever seen a “brass shield” in your own life—something that looked strong on the outside but lacked what mattered most within? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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