seems to have been the trouble in Rehoboam's case. It appears that God did not have place in this man's plans. "And the king answered the people roughly" (19:19). Both in the manner of his answer and the content of it, the king was rough. The mean ing in Hebrew indicates that he was hard. He was a hard taskmaster. Later events proved the folly of his attitude. A divided kingdom fol lowed, a cleavage that has never been healed. Leaders of the forces of God should take warning from Rehoboam's lack of wisdom and common sense. Ministers especially should remember that they are not called to be "lords over God's heri tage, but . . . ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3). And much the same principle maintains for all who are vested with the responsibility of leadership among the people of God. Following this principle will avert division and friction. "For the came wax from the Lord" (19:15). There is a problem of in terpretation here. Does this mean that God was in favor of the mis erable treatment that Solomon had accorded the people (12:4) or that was proposed by the new king? Cer tainly not; in this circumstance He was overruling what seemed a very bad thing in order that the deserved chastisement might come upon the people. Verse 33 of the preceding chapter tells plainly why God was about to permit His people to be chastised: they had forsaken Him and had gone after other gods. So He allowed a just punishment to fall upon them. Tes the Children S olomon and the B eautiful T bmple (1 K ings 6:1, 7-14, 38; 1 C hron . 28:9-11) M e m o r y V brsb : “Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a will ing mind" (1 Chron. 28:9). Note: Voe the adult lesson ma terial for April 97 at background. David, the shepherd-king, ruled the children of Israel wisely for FaI * Thlfty-uvee
MAY 4, 1847 SOURCES OF NATIONAL CONFLICT 1 K l 12:1-5, 12-15, 19,20
of what would occur and had ar ranged for the setting up of Jero boam as king over the ten tribes. He had already Informed Jeroboam of it and had promised continued pros perity if he would walk in His ways (1 KI. 11:26-40).
Outline sad Exposition T hb A ppeal by thb P boplb (1 Ki. 12:1-5) Desiring some relief from their heavy taxation, the people appealed to Rehoboam, Solomon's son, when, after the death of his father, he be came king. Rehoboam told them to return in three days and he would give them his answer. To this they readily agreed, because they knew they had a Just cause. They were suffering, their country was in dis tress, and eventually the welfare of the king himself would be affected. As yet, they had no thought of re belling against Rehoboam; they were only asking for justice. T hb A nswer F rom the K ino (12:12-15) Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older and wiser men, but rejected their good advice, and fol lowed instead the counsel of the young “hot heads" with whom he was associated. Hence, instead of answering the people in any concilia tory manner, he denied their appeal, and threatened to make their bur dens heavier than his father had done. There was no recognition of God by Rehoboam; he was ruled by his pride and the desire to stand well with the young men with whom he advised. However, whatever the lack of wisdom on Rehoboam’s part, the matter was of the Lord to fulfill His purpose (1 KI. 11:26-40). Here it should be noted that seemingly nat ural results flow from moral and spiritual causes; it is the correction of these causes which leads to re moval of the sources of conflict with in a nation. T he D ivision of thb K ingdom (12:19,20) Rejecting Rehoboam's reply, ten tribes seceded and formed the king dom of Israel, calling Jeroboam to be their first king. This move did not take God by surprise. He was aware AFKil. IM T
i
O utline and Exposition B. B. SUTCMFFB Points and Problems H omer A. K ent For the Children A llison A rrowood
Lesson material is bated upon outlines o f Interna tion - al Sunday School Lessons, ■ copyrighted by the In terna tional Council o f Religious Education; used by perm it- sion. Rehoboam was left with the tribe of Judah (with whom the tribe of Benjamin united) to form the na tion of Judah. This also was foreseen by God who had told Solomon in advance that it would happen (1 Ki. 11:9-13). Thus the cause of conflict in nations is the attitude and treat ment accorded the Word of God by their rulers. Feints and Problems “Depart yet fo r th re e days, th en com e again to m e" ( l K i. 12:$). On first consideration, Rehoboam's ac tion at this point seems wise. It is seldom advisable to undertake new ventures or make great decisions without time for thought and coun sel. However such time may be wast ed. If God is left out of consider ation and only men are consulted, the “three days" or more will be of no help. They may even prove a pos itive detriment to the Christian, be cause Satan and his cohorts will have had their opportunity. That
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker