“So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned these to the commanders of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace.” – 1 Kings 14:27, NIV.
When Rehoboam, Solomon’s son was king, he forsook the law of the Lord. Two years later, the Lord allowed the king of Egypt to attack Jerusalem (2 Chro. 12:2, 5). The king of Egypt took away all the treasures of the temple and of the king’s house including 300 shields of gold that Solomon had made. Rehoboam made shields of brass to replace the shields of gold.
Rehoboam made shields of brass which is cheap and inferior and can be polished to look like gold. As Christians, we sometimes behave like Rehoboam; we substitute our first love with work and things of the world. The things of God no longer become a priority. We pray and read the Bible when we feel like doing so. We no longer experience the presence of God.
Whenever we compromise our faith, the enemy robs us of our spiritual treasures just as God allowed the king of Egypt to steal Solomon’s gold shield. When we forsake the Ways of God, He removes His shield of protection which gives the enemy access into our lives. Disobedience leads to breaking of hedge (Ecclesiastes 10:8).
Gold symbolizes wealth or prosperity. Our lives will only flourish when we remain in God and do His Will. Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV) says, “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers.”
Repentance is key, it leads to restoration. Don’t substitute godly things with other things.
