Although
Abijah had a woman of Israel for his mother instead of an Ammonitess, (like his
father Rehoboam), yet this woman was, as we have just seen, one who worshipped
idols. We need not, then, be surprised to read of him: “He walked in all the sins
of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with
the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. Nevertheless for David’s
sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after
him, and to establish Jerusalem.”
We
see from this record that it was his father’s evil example that led this king
astray. What a voice to those of us who are fathers! May the Lord keep us from
leaving behind a trail of sin for our sons to follow! For this was just what
Rehoboam did for Abijah.
But
it was not the father alone who turned this son into paths of sin: the very
fact that the Spirit of God records with such care the name and character of
his mother, tells us that she too had part in forming his character. And as we
read the stories of these kings of old, we cannot but be struck with the fact
that in most instances the name of the mother is given to us, intimating that
the responsibility for the child’s character rested in a large measure with the
mother. During those childhood days, when lifelong impressions are being
imprinted on the child’s character, it is the mother, much more than the
father, or any other person, who generally has to do with the little one. This
does not lessen the responsibility of the father, but it does increase the
responsibility of the mother.
But
even in this evil king, God’s mercy and grace shines brightly, and under his
hand there came a measure of deliverance to Judah, “because they relied upon
the Lord God of their fathers.” (II Chronicles 13:18.)
One of the remarkable things about this man was that although “he walked in all the sins of his father”, yet he had a good son, Asa. This is often a puzzle to many, but do we not find the solution in the Scripture quoted: “Nevertheless for David’s sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem.” That good son Asa, was given for David’s sake. And David was Asa’s great-great grandfather! To the fourth generation David’s ways brought down blessing on his descendants. And we know also that God visits the iniquities of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations. (Exodus 20:5). What an exceedingly solemn consideration for us each one is this, to remember that our walk, day by day, may effect for blessing, or otherwise, our children, for as much as three, or even four generations, or for a very much longer time.