2 Chronicles 21:18
After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels.
After all this
This phrase indicates a culmination of events leading to a divine response. In the context of 2 Chronicles 21, Jehoram's reign was marked by idolatry and the murder of his brothers. The phrase suggests a divine patience that has reached its limit, emphasizing God's justice and the consequences of persistent sin. Historically, this reflects the Deuteronomic principle where blessings follow obedience and curses follow disobedience.

the LORD afflicted
The Hebrew root for "afflicted" is "נָגַף" (nagaph), which means to strike or plague. This indicates a direct action from God, underscoring His sovereignty and the seriousness of Jehoram's sins. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of God's holiness and His intolerance of sin, especially from those in leadership who lead others astray.

Jehoram
Jehoram was the king of Judah, and his reign is documented in 2 Chronicles 21. He was the son of Jehoshaphat and married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, which led to the introduction of Baal worship in Judah. His life serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of ungodly alliances and the importance of maintaining faithfulness to God.

with an incurable disease
The term "incurable" highlights the severity and finality of the judgment. In Hebrew, the word used can imply a disease that is beyond healing, reflecting the irreversible nature of God's judgment once it is pronounced. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of repentance.

of the bowels
Diseases of the bowels in ancient times were often seen as particularly painful and humiliating. This specific affliction could symbolize the internal corruption and decay that mirrored Jehoram's spiritual state. It serves as a metaphor for the destructive nature of sin, which, if left unchecked, leads to both physical and spiritual ruin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoram
The king of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat, who turned away from the ways of his father and led Judah into idolatry and wickedness.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, over which Jehoram reigned. It was a place of significant religious history and covenant with God.

3. The LORD
The God of Israel, who is just and righteous, executing judgment upon Jehoram for his sins.

4. Incurable Disease
A severe affliction sent by God as a judgment upon Jehoram, highlighting the seriousness of his sins.

5. Prophet Elijah
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Elijah had previously sent a letter to Jehoram warning him of God's impending judgment due to his evil actions.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Jehoram's life serves as a stark reminder that sin has serious consequences, both personally and for those we lead.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
Leaders have a profound impact on their followers. Jehoram's failure to lead righteously led to the spiritual decline of Judah.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God is just in His judgments, His actions are also a call to repentance and restoration for those who turn back to Him.

The Role of Prophetic Warning
God often sends warnings through His prophets to call His people back to righteousness, as seen in Elijah's letter to Jehoram.

The Need for Repentance
Jehoram's account highlights the importance of repentance and turning back to God to avoid the consequences of sin.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoram's leadership compare to that of his father, Jehoshaphat, and what lessons can we learn about the impact of leadership on a community?

2. In what ways does Jehoram's account illustrate the principle of sowing and reaping found in Galatians 6:7?

3. How can we apply the warnings and promises found in Deuteronomy 28 to our own lives today?

4. What role does repentance play in avoiding the consequences of sin, and how can we cultivate a heart of repentance in our daily walk with God?

5. How can we discern and respond to prophetic warnings in our own lives, and what steps can we take to ensure we are aligned with God's will?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 21
The account of King Ahab and Jezebel, whose idolatry and wickedness parallel Jehoram's actions, showing a pattern of divine judgment against unfaithful leaders.

Deuteronomy 28
The blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience to God's covenant, illustrating the consequences Jehoram faced.

Galatians 6:7
The principle of sowing and reaping, which is evident in Jehoram's life as he reaps the consequences of his sinful actions.

2 Chronicles 7:14
God's promise to heal and restore if His people humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, contrasting Jehoram's unrepentant heart.

Hebrews 12:6
The concept of divine discipline, which is evident in God's actions towards Jehoram as a form of judgment and correction.
The Letter of ElijahT. Whitelaw
People
Ahab, Ahaziah, Arabians, Asa, Azariah, Cushites, David, Edomites, Elijah, Ethiopians, Jehiel, Jehoahaz, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Michael, Shephatiah, Zechariah
Places
Edom, Jerusalem, Libnah, Mareshah
Topics
Bowels, Disease, Healing, Impossible, Incurable, Jehoram, Plagued, Sickness, Smote, Stomach, Struck
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 21:4-20

     5366   king

2 Chronicles 21:18-19

     5296   disabilities
     9210   judgment, God's

Library
The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jericho Itself.
We read, that this city was not only wasted by Joshua with fire and sword, but cursed also. "Cursed be he before the Lord, who shall rise up and build that city Jericho," Joshua 6:26. "Nor was another city to be built (says the Talmudists), which was to be called by the name of Jericho: nor was Jericho itself to be built, although to be called by another name." And yet I know not by what chance this city crept out of dust and rubbish, lived again, and flourished, and became the second city to Jerusalem.
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher,
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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