Moreover, he made high places in the hill country of Judah and led the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom and made Judah go astray. And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have enticed Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom, as the house of Ahab led Israel into whoredom, and also you have killed your brothers, of your father's house, who were better than you, behold, the LORD will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions, and you yourself will have a severe sickness with a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the disease, day by day.’”
The judgment of God on disobedience is highly understood, undervalued and often completely ignored. People think that God is either sleeping, on vacation or, worse, oblivious to sin in our lives. God is not sleeping. God responds to disobedience based upon the principles of His character and outlined in His Word:
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
The “he” in the above passages is the king of Judah, Jehoram. He lead the nation into idolatry and disobedience. God is not sitting back and ignoring what mankind does, especially when they are the leadership. Jehoram died a violent and painful death. His poor leadership brought him down. But, it also put his followers into a place of disobedience. Followers also have a responsibility in this. But, it is leadership that creates the avenues for evil. The point of the passage is clear: Disobedience to God’s Word produces discipline from God.
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