“But the people of Jerusalem will be brought under control of the King of Egypt. Then they will learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”
2 Chronicles 12:8
Rehoboam was the son of privilege...
His grandfather was the great King David...a man after God’s own heart...the greatest warrior king Israel has ever known. His father was King Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest ruler in Israel’s history. We understand the human tendency to feel important when one has that kind of pedigree. Yet, tragically, his kingdom was decimated within a week after assuming the throne...never to be restored to its former greatness.
What happened?
Well, it’s possible the first casualty of being born into privilege is humility...
Rehoboam went to Shechem where everyone was waiting to crown him king. Jeroboam, an agitator exhaled by Solomon, returned from Egypt, when people from the northern tribes of Israel sent for him. Then together they went to Rehoboam and said, “Your father Solomon forced us to work very hard. But if you make our work easier, we will serve you and do whatever you ask.” Rehoboam replied, “Come back in three days for my answer.” A modicum of wisdom would have prompted Rehoboam to recognize Jeroboam and presume there was something insidious behind this request.
What was the people’s plan if he refused their request? Rebellion...
He went to some leaders who had been his father’s senior officials, and asked, “What should I tell these people?” They answered, “If you want them to serve and obey you, then you should be kind and promise to make their work easier.” But Rehoboam refused their advice and went to the younger men who had grown up with him and were now his officials.
His younger advisors said: You should say “Compared to me, my father was weak. I’ll make you work even harder and punish you more severely.” We can imagine how that message was received. When the people realized Rehoboam would not listen they shouted: “We don’t have to be loyal to David’s family. We can do what we want.”
The kingdom divided...never to be restored.
We don’t need a great deal of wisdom to recognize Rehoboam’s folly. While all human opinion is flawed...to some degree...why wouldn’t he trust the advisors his father Solomon (the wisest man in history) trusted? Now, we all want to believe our friends would never let us down but we know this isn’t the case. The most gracious understanding of this incident suggests Rehoboam’s friends were too young and inexperienced to demonstrate prudence in the face of a thorny political issue.
The truth is, likely, is far more venal. Our friends may love us but they always love themselves more. The opportunity to ingratiate one’s self to unlimited power can corrupt the most loyal friend. The rock icon Ricky Nelson once opined of his fans...”they don’t love me. They just love being around me.” So, Rehoboam and his people abandoned the law of the Lord. The text doesn’t say so but, I’ll bet his “friends” guided him down that path as well.
And, God wasn’t pleased.
In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s rule, the Lord punished them for their unfaithfulness and allowed the King of Egypt to invade Judah. Shemaiah the prophet told Rehoboam, “The Lord says that because you have disobeyed him, he has now abandoned you. The Lord will not help you” Rehoboam and the leaders admitted it so the Lord determined not to destroy them. Even so, He said “because I am still angry, Egypt will conquer and rule them. Then my people will know what it’s like to serve him rather than me.”
And, therein is the lesson...
And, therein is the lesson...
As believers, the consequence of our own self-importance and stubbornness is not fatal but it is often frightening and harsh. It’s not because God is mean or vindictive. It is because our resulting troubles are meant to remind us how safe and certain our lives were when God was in control. So, let’s ask ourselves...“What am it to learn from my present trouble?” Allow me to suggest it has nothing to do with who our president is, or who is running congress, or who controls the Supreme Court. It has nothing to do with any particular laws of the land. The turmoil we face is emblematic of our drift, personally or collectively, away from God.
I wonder about all those faithful citizens who fled Israel for Judah because they knew Jeroboam was an illegitimate king...only to find out Rehoboam was not measurably better. They tried to do the right thing but still suffered. We should be very careful which way we turn.
We know what to do...
We know what to do...
Live boldly out there today...
