2 Chronicles 21:20 (NLT)
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery.
Jehoram succeeded Jehoshaphat. He became King at 32 years old and he reigned eight years. He died at age 40! Jehoram's reign did not even enjoy a good first half, it was evil through and through. Life in the eight-year reign of an evil king is akin to suffering for an eternity. Is God against Jehoram? No, it is Jehoram who was against God!
Today, we vividly witness what life is when God is out of the picture. We will be surprised that what makes this life miserable is not the intense agony of disease, or death itself, or loneliness. The real pain and misery of a life that is against God is a life left to oneself... without a touch of God; not a taste of grace and no hope for glory; addicted to power; enjoying no authentic friendship and viewing everybody as a suspect... plus a perpetual commitment to self-preservation that ends in an unrespected death.
"Jehoram was 32 years old when he became King and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died.”. . . 2 Chronicles 21:20
No laughter in life, no friends in death, no legacy. Should we say more? It is at a very rare time like this that dying young is mercy from God. Jehoram is a timeless morbid portrait which we need to regularly see so we will reflect and repent in living a life that is totally outside God. Again, is God against him, no he was against God.
These are morbid descriptions of life without God:
Unpricked ego
The one who can directly deal with our pride is God. It’s unthinkable when God, even for a moment, leaves us to our proud self! No sermon, no calamity is strong enough to break an inflated ego. Only God can prick it to deflate the air.
When God leaves us alone with our inflated ego...we are beyond hope. Be grateful for ego-pricking moments in life for surely God is with us still. Review those times when great embarrassment visited us... whether it came humorously or painfully, it’s good they came to prick our egos! Be thankful for God-sent folks who have the special skill to deflate our accumulated air. They are God-sent messengers with a mission to set free via truth, not to flatter. Cherish those who have the guts to speak of things that prick our ego. Keep them, they are authentic!
Unrestrained evil
Jehoram was evil personified waiting to be unleashed. Without God restraining us we are so capable of ruining ourselves! This time, let’s give the Devil a break ... he has been blamed for many things not of his doing. It’s only the restraining grace of God that the evil in us is on hold. Without God's restraining us, we ruin many lives. The lives we ruin are the lives of the ones we say we love. Without God’s restraint, we make webs of evil influence. We will continue making foolish choices and be forever paying the painful consequences. Lord, please don’t stop restraining us!
Unrespected end
No sorrow, no tears, no memory, no dignity, no honor. His death was good riddance! It is a case not even worthy to fit the description of being hated. It is the worst case... INDIFFERENCE!
Jehoram decided to defy God ... yet we can still see traces of grace from God. God left Jehoram to himself ... this is more tragic than his painful disease. Jehoram led a nation without discernment from God. People suffer under a King left alone to himself! Jehoram's affinity with the wickedness of Ahab hastened his downfall.
Marrying someone whose heart is against God, like the wife of Ahab and of Jehoram, is a double curse. Marry someone who has the boldness from God to confront when wickedness is seen!
Jehoram's 40 years on earth was mercy for other potential victims of his wickedness. The early death of the wicked is a blessing to many. Let us learn our lesson and may we pray this prayer sincerely "Abba, don’t ever leave us alone with ourselves. Abba, have mercy... Amen.”