BEWARE OF THE ERROR OF REHOBOAM
"And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. 2 So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was still in Egypt, for he had fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt), 3 that they sent and called him. Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” 5 So he said to them, “Depart for three days, then come back to me.” And the people departed. 6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people?”
7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him." 1 Kings 12:1-8.
Rehoboam ascension to the throne came at a very difficult period in Israel, as Solomon his father, had enlisted many into forced labor and had imposed a high taxation. Hence they were disgruntled people. The people had hoped for some relief when Rehoboam got to the throne.
As soon as Rehoboam was crowned at Shechem, they came with a request. They pleaded with him to ease their burden. He sent the complainants away and to return after three days while he sought for a solution to their requests. Rehoboam first asked for advise from the older men who had been with his father. But he also went to the young men who grew up with him and they advised him to increase the people’s burden and assert his power over them. Foolishly, he rejected the counsel of the elders and followed the young men’s advice. Rehoboam decision shattered any hope of further unity, and so the people in the ten northern tribes chose to break away and form their own nation. Rehoboam would be the last king to sit under a united nation where all twelve tribes of Israel were one. From this moment on, in the history of the Jewish people, “Israel” referred to the ten northern tribes and the name “Judah” to the southern tribes of Benjamin and Judah. From the time of Rehoboam, there were two kings, two capitals, two administrations, two armies, and two systems of priesthood. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was king of the smaller part called Judah. Jeroboam would become the king of Israel.
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4. There are many stories in the Bible and these stories were all written for us so that we may learn from them.
The Bible is a book given to us so that we can make good decisions and enjoy the blessings and fellowship of God. He gave us a whole library of 66 books, in which are found, not only commandments, but example after example of what happens to those who obey as well as to those who disobey. The life of the ancient King Rehoboam has many lessons for us today.
MISTAKE 1: WRONG INFLUENCES
The young men Rehoboam consulted when faced with an important decision were the people he had grown up with. However, they did not have the experience to help him make wise decisions. And the result, a nation divided and a people divided because of Rehoboam error.
We are all influenced and at the same time influence others. We are influenced by parents, friends, teachers, and even celebrities. We are easily influenced by the world around us. We’re also influenced by what we read and see. Sometimes, people are a really good influence on us. But there are a lot of bad influences in life, too. In the journey of life. we will come across people who can add to our lives, multiply us, subtract from us and divide or destroy us, giving way to the pressure of these kinds of people can either make or mar our lives and destinies.
Friendship is a trusting relationship between two or more people. True friends can lead you to doing the right thing; bad friends can lead you to making costly mistake. Some friends will say exactly what you want them to say and do exactly what you want them to do. But these friends don’t really have your interest at heart. Friends who want you to succeed will point out your flaws. Some friends have no drive, or ambition. Some friends are full of jealousy, insecurity, and bitterness; they are not happy with your success. True friends celebrates you. Some friends are takers; they take your peace, joy, and time. Some friends justifies their wrong actions; they never take responsibility. Some friends are not principled. They flow with the crowd and are heavily influenced. And they will encourage you to do same. Some friends sees the negatives in everything. Some friends will drain out your passion and enthusiasm.
“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Corinthians 15:33. No matter how young or old you are, the people you spend time with will eventually have an impact on your thinking, for good or bad. We must be careful not to let others’ mind-sets drag us down. Your friends can challenge you to greater heights you never imagined. Your friends can also cripple your dream. Your association can either corrupt or correct your character. Your friends can be a blessing or a curse. Your relationship can upgrade or downgrade you. Your friends affect your spiritual fire, passion, and zeal. "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17. When we're connected to fire-brand people, we're always on fire. Friends affect your faith and conviction. Anyone who does not strengthen your faith, increases your trust in God and provide inspiration is not a friend.
So, identify the bad influences in your life. Ask yourself: Does this person help me to love God and others more? If not, then they are probably a bad influences. Dissociate yourself from every wrong association. Matthew 5:30. Staying away from such people doesn't mean hating them or trying to hurt them. Choose your friends deliberately and wisely. Pray for the spirit of discernment. Be a faithful friend.
MISTAKE 2: FAILURE TO SEEK GOD'S WISDOM
Rehoboam consulted the elders who counselled his father. He sought the advise of his peers. But the one thing that it does not mention is Rehoboam consulting the Lord and praying about the situation. If he had done that he would have gained true wisdom, like his father, and his legacy would not have been that of being the king who caused the division of Israel into two.
Wisdom can be defined as the application of knowledge. But it is important to differentiate the kind of wisdom being referred to here. James in the book of James chapter 3 verse 15 identifies four kinds of wisdom:
1. Earthly wisdom;
2. Sensual wisdom;
3. Devilish wisdom;
4. Divine Wisdom, which is from above. This is the wisdom we should all desires. Every believer has the right to access divine wisdom. God won’t withhold His blessings from us.
Wisdom is a builder. Proverbs 24:3-4; Proverbs 9:1. Wisdom is the principal thing. It is the most important asset to leadership. Proverbs 8:15-17. Wisdom is the right way to go, the right steps to take and the right things to do. When you walk in wisdom, it will guard you against making poor decision; it will keep you on the right path. Wisdom will help you to navigate life's puzzle. It is the ability to discern what’s right from what’s wrong. Wisdom is a gift which gives us the capacity to make the right choice or decision. If knowledge is power, then wisdom is using that power the right way. You can be highly educated or with a high intelligent quotient, but without wisdom, you're missing a lot.
King Solomon, the father of Rehoboam, encourage us to “get wisdom”. Proverbs 4:5-7.
1. Admit that you need wisdom and acknowledge that God has the answer.
2. Fear God. Proverbs 9:10. When you have the fear of God, you follow His teachings and obey His commands. You avoid committing sins that will displease Him.
3. Desire wisdom. “look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure” Prov. 2:4.
4. Pray for wisdom. As James tell us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” James 1:5.
5. Study God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:15. The Bible contain instructions, warnings, and guidance. We can learn many lessons, such as: how to face adversity with faith, and how to handle difficult people. The more you know the Word of God the more you will be wise.
6. Have Faith. Faith is an important component to accepting God’s wisdom. James 1:6-7. Be faithful when asking for wisdom from God. Cast all your doubts away and believe in Him.
7. Be humble. Humility will help you overcome envy and selfish ambition. James 3:13-16.
8. Don’t be hasty in making decisions.
9. Be peaceful and considerate. James 3:17. Be gentle and slow to anger. Learn how to forgive and show mercy. Be considerate of the feelings of the people around you.
10. Avoid distraction. Free yourself from pride.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. O God, arise and let Your wisdom overshadow my life, in Jesus name.
2. I receive the spirit of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, in Jesus name.
3. I receive grace and mercy to excel in all ramifications of life, in Jesus name.
MISTAKE 3: FORSAKING THE LORD
"Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, that he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel along with him," 2 Chronicles 12:1.
To forsake is to renounce. It is to entirely turn away from. To forsake is to abandon. It is to leave. To forsake is to quit. It is to drop. To forsake is to give up. Rehoboam started out well. For three years, he was fully committed to God. But he would later abandoned Him. The children of Israel, like King Rehoboam, also abandoned God. They did evil in His sight. 1 Kings 14:22; provoked Him to jealousy with their sins. 1 Kings 14:22; sinned above all that their fathers had done. 1 Kings 14:22; built high places, images, and groves. 1 Kings 14:23; allowed perversion to continue in the land. 1 Kings 14:24; and did according to the evil of the nations around them. 1 Kings 14:24. So God allowed Shishak of Egypt to attack Jerusalem.
Have you ever been forsaken, rejected and abandoned by the one you love? Its a painful thing. Usually, people feel like God's forsaking them especially during hard times. They feel that God is very far away. But the Bible says that we can also forsake God. “Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.” 2 Chronicles 24:20. They forget about God and chase after idols. Sadly, many are forsaking God today. We turn to Him out of need and forget when things go well. We become independent from God and dependent on our strength, and ability.
You have forsaken God when you can go for days or weeks without having a quiet time with Him. You've abandoned Him when you no longer have a strong desire for the Word; Bible reading is now a routine. When the time you spend in prayer is a burden rather than a delight. You have forsaken God when your worship is dry, lifeless, and merely going through the motions. When private prayer are almost non-existent. You've forsaken God when you have little appetite for spiritual food. You prefer the company of people who don’t love Christ, to the fellowship of those who do. When you are more interested in entertainment than in cultivating intimacy with Christ through worship, prayer, the Word, and Christian fellowship. You have forsaken God when you're involved in things that you know are contrary to Scripture, but you continue in them anyway. You justify “small” areas of disobedience or compromise. When you have drawn back into sin and wrong habits. You have forsaken God when you are slow to respond to conviction over sin. When you are not grieved by sin—it’s no big deal to you anymore. You have left God when your relationships with Him is broken.
WHY WOULD PEOPLE FORSAKE GOD?
1. Material comfort. Money itself is not evil. What is wrong is when our success lures us away from our need for God. This is why Jesus said it is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. Riches make us less reliance on God.
2. Trust in people in the position of authority and power, instead of total trust in God.
3. Pride. Since it is God who gives us power to get wealth, we should never be arrogant and declare that "my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth" Deut. 8:17.
4. Spiritual adultery. It is unfaithfulness to God. James 4:4
5. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. 1 John 2:16.
WHAT MUST WE DO?
1. Acknowledge your spiritual state.
2. Renounce every false god
3. Return to God. Sin is a barrier. But God's inviting us to come back to Him, no matter how far we’ve wandered or how long we’ve been gone. Hosea 6:1. Make that change today.
3. Create a daily quiet time. Find ways to have a quiet time with God daily. Psalm 119:97.
4. Claim God's promises of restoration.
If you are willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, then pray this prayer: LORD Jesus, I come to You right now. I know I am a sinner, please forgive me. With my mouth, I declare that Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. With my new heart, I believe that it is because of me that You came into this world; You died for my sins, take away my problems, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus name.
PRAYER POINT:
1. O Lord! Restore to me the joy of salvation, in Jesus name.
