1 Kings 12:16-19 - And when
all Israel saw that the king did not hearken to them, the people answered the
king, "What portion have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of
Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David." So
Israel departed to their tents. But
Rehobo'am reigned over the people of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehobo'am sent Ador'am, who was
taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with
stones. And King Rehobo'am made haste to mount his chariot, to flee to
Jerusalem. So Israel has been in
rebellion against the house of David to this day.
The days of Rehoboam and Jeroboam
were harsh and unkind. The tribe of
Judah remained loyal to David and his son Rehoboam….but the rest of Israel followed
Jeroboam right out of town. They were both selfish and
harsh rulers….listening to the counsel of those who matched their mood at the
time…..and neither consulted God in the matters of their kingdoms. Neither of the split groups of Israelites
flourished….or kept God in their lives.
Rehoboam unwisely shook off the
wisdom of the older men in his father’s house. They told him how to achieve peace…but
he chose the counsel of his younger friends instead. And Jeroboam was no better a ruler…for he was
so scared that the people would leave him…. that he erected new idols for them
to worship at strategic places meant to keep them out of Jerusalem. The selfish
attitudes of these men split the nation of Israel….and caused many to turn from
God and worship nothing but idols.
Rehoboam and jeroboam were not the
first people to ignore the wise counsel given by God. Eve… Adam… Lot’s wife… David…. Solomon… Moses….
they all made mistakes because they listened to the tricky voice of satan…and
followed his advice instead of God’s.
And we must still have problems following God’s directives…because
verses like Galatians 5:26…. which says….
“ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking
one another, envying one another” ….clearly
warn us to listen to the wise counsel God always sends us to help us know the
right answer to a situation.
What
those older men were trying to tell Rehoboam
was written down later in Hebrews 10:24… “ And let us consider how we
may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” The words are a call to peace…like Solomon’s
wisdom achieved. But maybe Solomon never
taught his son how to obtain wisdom…how much time could he have devoted to
parenting with 1000 women to care for…
so his son became the example and fulfillment of God’s words to his
father.
It
is reminder to me to always listen to God…and consider which choice I make will
bring about peace and unity in the people around me. I need to spur the ones God allows to be a
part of my life to produce more love and kind deeds that prove my love is
real. And I need to pay attention to the
Godly people he places near me…and listen to their counsel…..when it urges me
to do something that will bring about peace and unity in the ones he placed close
to me.
Father…..thank
you for this story that reminds me that satan is lurking behind the smiling
faces of some of my friends. Help me to
only listen to advice that encourages peace and unity for those that you have
placed near me. Never let me make a choice without consulting you first. Guard
me from ever making a choice based on my own needs and wants…but instead …help
me to consider what will show others the most love of God. Amen.
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