Tuesday: The Division of the Hebrew Nation
The path of apostasy, and its dire consequences, didn’t happen overnight. But the wrong choices and decisions that accumulated over the long centuries finally led to some terrible consequences for God’s people.
Read the story of King Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12:1-16. What caused this terrible division among God’s people?
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“Had Rehoboam and his inexperienced counselors understood the divine will concerning Israel, they would have listened to the request of the people for decided reforms in the administration of the government. But in the hour of opportunity that came to them during the meeting in Shechem, they failed to reason from cause to effect, and thus forever weakened their influence over a large number of the people. Their expressed determination to perpetuate and add to the oppression introduced during Solomon’s reign was in direct conflict with God’s plan for Israel, and gave the people ample occasion to doubt the sincerity of their motives. In this unwise and unfeeling attempt to exercise power, the king and his chosen counselors revealed the pride of position and authority.” – Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 90.
What do the following statements say about the need for wisdom in making the right decisions? Where is the source of true wisdom?
The story of Rehoboam and his rash and unwise decision to impose more conscripted labor on his people is a sad event in the life of the kingdom of Israel. The king sought counsel from two groups of advisors, but his final decision to follow the counsel of less-experienced young men his own age brought a catastrophe on the kingdom that his father Solomon and grandfather David had built during the preceding 80 years. The advice that the king should intimidate the crowd by declaring that he is tougher than his father was foolish counsel. The young advisors believed that to be sympathetic of the people’s demands for less-rigorous labor was not the leadership style the king should adopt. He should, they said, present himself as ruthless and cruel instead. In the end, he showed himself to be a bully and undeserving of his people’s allegiance and faithfulness. Hence, a division occurred among God’s people that never should have been there and that was never God’s plan for His people.
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The lesson today illustrates the folly of egocentric leadership. The thought that passed through my mind is how dependant we have become on media “thought leaders” today. High profile media personalities sway our minds on politics, religion and social attitudes. They are often more interested in ratings and popularity than issues of real substance. Even within Adventist circles, our minds are often persuaded by those who have a high media profile.
I am not saying that a high media profile is necessarily wrong, but it makes us more vulnerable to schism when media personalities use their position to lead us astray. There is a very good case for low profile leadership where examples are set, and individuals are encouraged to think for themselves.
Paul knew about personality leadership when he mentioned the Apollos/Paul followers, pointing them to Christ.
Good observation, it is also upon us as church members to advice our leaders if they derail because we are also entitled to take part in the ministry, the elders in the times of Rehoboam took part, and it was upon the King to take a rightful decision, but rather listened to inexperienced youthful advisors.. Elders did their part the didn't keep quiet when they were inspired by the Holy spirit of God
Your comment is well taken in today's situation in our Nation. We are seeing in my opinion the return of the beast spoken of in prophecy, government leadership mixed with false religious leadership to enforce their agenda on the people.
Rehoboam seeks the counsels of the elders. Interestingly before consulting with the counsel of the young men whom he grew up with, he rejected the counsel of the elders.
It reminds me, we would seek counsel until we find a counsel member who would agree with our agenda.
Rehoboam thought he could rule the people with fear but did not realize kingdom built on the foundation of fear will disintegrate.
Rehoboam did not know to distinguish what is good for the people.
Rehoboam did not seek the counsel of the Lord.
How are you using the advises you receive?
How often do you seek the counsel of the Lord?
Love casts out fear!
Any leader that uses force and intimidating tactics as well as divisive ideas, is not of God.
God is LOVE.
I think Rehoboam didn't have a clue how important the decision he was going to make was for the future of 4the nation. One of the lesson we learn from this is that it is important to have an idea of the impact of our present decisions on our and other people's future. This is why we should always seek counsel from God who knows the future and from God fearing people who know and perform the will of God.
Rehoboam was the only son of Solomon that we know by name. Solomon had 1000 wives and concubines, yet we read of one son who Was a fool. Solomon was worried about losing all he worked for under a foolish successor. Ecc 2:18-19.
God through prophet Ahijah had already told Jeroboam son of Nebat that he will rule over the ten tribes of Israel and that Solomon would remain with one tribe for the sake of David and Jerusalem. 1 kings 11:26-40.
" for the turn of events was from the Lord, that he might fulfill His word, which the Lord had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat. 1 kings 12:12-15."
The elders told Rehoboam that he had to relate to the people based on who he was, not on who his father was. If he showed kindness and a servants heart to the people, they would love and serve him forever. This was a good advice.
But he rejected the elders advice and went for an advice shopping, looking for someone who could tell him what he wanted to hear.
He consulted the young men who had grown up with him. These men were much more likely to tell him what he already thought.
The young men offered the opposite advice to the elders. They suggested an adversarial approach, one that would make Rehoboam more feared than Solomon was.
The Israelites rejected him but he did not take it seriously until Adoram was stoned by all Israel.
Rehoboam attempts to re-unify the nation by force was stopped by God through prophet Shemaiah.
With a dozen rash words, Rehoboam opened the door for four hundred years of strife,weakness and eventually the destruction of the entire nation.
The King's choice was to be a servant leader or to be a leader of servants.
I had always wondered why Israel had two Kings. I had no idea until this lesson that it was because of King Rehoboam's failure to be a Christlike King but rather chose to be a Ruthless Dictatorial King. It is amazing that King Rhobaom whose Father, King Solomon, who wrote all the wisdom that is in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs chose to go against all the wisdom that is in those two great Scriptural Books.
Reading this lesson, I realise the young people are blamed for the wrong advice they gave to the King. We can be tempted to conclude that the young are always wrong. Though this is not what is thought in this study, the study teaches the true Christian character
Rehoboam fails as a leader because he does not consult God. He puts his trust in people. He forgot that whosoever trust man is cursed. If he could have consulted God the reality is he could have sailed smoothly in his leadership.
Youths who fear God are great and good leaders. In the same Bible, we get young people who consulted God and led nicely and people loved them. If we have any youth leading this study today let him or she find a reason to trust God instead of trusting generation.
Amen, good perspective...