“Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the Lord: ‘You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.’” So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The Lord is righteous.” Now when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may distinguish My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations.” 2 Chronicles 12:5-8

Once again, Israel did not trust and obey God’s will. For this reason, they remained in the hands of Shishak – king of Egypt – who invaded Israel and took everything.

Notice that the people of Israel, when made aware by the prophet, repented and humbled themselves before God. However, this did not spare them from facing the consequences.

God forgave and guaranteed to deliver them, but He allowed the people to serve Shishak for some time, so that they could see the DIFFERENCE between serving HIM and serving the kings and kingdoms of this world!

There is no other way! Holy or impure, faithful or unfaithful; Everyone will see the DIFFERENCE in their lives between serving God or someone else!