Lesson 287 - Senior
Memory Verse
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
Cross References
I The Revolt at Shechem
1. The northern tribes request a reduction in taxes, [1KG:12:1-5].
2. The king seeks counsel of both the young and the old men, [1KG:12:6-11]; [PRO:1:25-33].
3. The king answers after the counsel of the young men, [1KG:12:12-15].
4. The northern tribes rebel, [1KG:12:16-19].
II The Northern Kingdom of Israel
1. Jeroboam is made king, [1KG:12:20], [1KG:12:25].
2. He plans a religion to suit his political needs, [1KG:12:26-33]; [GAL:1:6].
III The Southern Kingdom of Judah
1. Rehoboam plans war, but heeds the warning of God to desist, [1KG:12:21-24].
2. Rehoboam leads Judah deeper into idolatry, [1KG:14:21-23]; [2CH:12:1].
3. The Lord uses Shishak, king of Egypt, to chastise them, [2CH:12:2-5]; [JUG:2:14]; [JUG:3:7-8], [JUG:3:12].
4. God shows mercy when Rehoboam humbles himself, [2CH:12:6-12]; [1KG:21:29].
5. Rehoboam's reign is summed up as being evil, [2CH:12:13-16].
Notes
A Poor Example
"Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool?” [ECC:2:18-19]). Well might Solomon be concerned about the conduct of his son, but how much better it would have been had he left a godly example to follow. Solomon's departure from the Lord in his old age is most pathetic. It is unbelievable that the one whom the Lord had blessed above every other king would forsake God and turn to idolatry. What an evil influence he had upon his son as well as upon all the people! How could he point his son to a knowledge of the true God when his own life and conduct were just the opposite? Some parents today want their children to follow a course from which they themselves have departed. How much wiser it would be for them to set the example for their children!
Rash Judgment
As soon as Solomon was dead the people of Israel sent for Jeroboam to return from Egypt. The Lord had promised him ten tribes and the people knew it and sought him. It was through him that the ten northern tribes of Israel sought to bargain with Rehoboam for lighter taxes.
God had given Solomon great wisdom, but deprived Solomon's son of good judgment on this occasion. The Giver of every good and perfect gift is also able to withhold His hand when His judgment so decrees. He who gave Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom and majesty and glory and honour also brought him low and deprived him of his reason. Those who walk in pride He is able to abase. "Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD” [1KG:12:15]). This decision that was so rash on the part of Rehoboam was God's way of taking part of the kingdom from him.
Man-Made Religion
Upon being refused their request, the northern tribes rebelled and made Jeroboam their king. He had but to walk in the commandment of the Lord and his kingdom was sure. Instead of obeying and trusting God, he turned to his own ingenuity and started a religion of his own. He sought not the truth but a fabrication that would suit his own political desires. He created an easier way of worship for the Children of Israel and they accepted it by the hundreds. "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem,” was the slogan by which Jeroboam led Israel into a form of worship with its feasts and ceremonies, but with no power in it to transform their lives.
The social gospel with feasts, which Jeroboam devised from his own heart compares with much of so-called Christianity today. Many people have departed from the old paths and have found easier ways. No more do they consider it necessary to kneel at an old-fashioned altar in true repentance in order to be born again. With a handshake, a pledge card and the request that you "accept Christ as your personal Saviour,” you are a Christian, they say. But real salvation goes deeper than that. Bitter tears of repentance, a cry for mercy, a change deep in the heart, and a witness from God that all sins are forgiven mark those who in God's way prepare themselves for Heaven. Of what value are the rites, assemblies, and religious pretexts if in the end a man loses his own soul?
The religion of Jeroboam found favour with those who loved sin, those who saw no harm in social drinking, dancing, or other sinful pleasures. The world today is filled with religious people who do not believe it is possible to live above sin. They close their eyes to the truth and try to find a way around the Word of God, which says plainly, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin” ([1JN:3:9]). Some professors of religion are so positive they are on the right road although they are living in sin, that it makes one shudder and fear that they are among those who have "received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” God's Word states that "for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” [2TS:2:10-12]).
False Teachers
One would think that a man-made religion such as Jeroboam set forth would soon lose its popularity and be cast aside; but so deep are the roots of sin in the human nature, and so sinful is the unregenerated heart of man, that Israel followed the idolatrous calf-worship until they were carried into captivity more than two hundred years later. The Prophet has written: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” [JER:17:9-10]). Many people try to be so liberal in their beliefs that they will accept almost anything in the name of religion, but we are warned against false prophets. "There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, . . . " [2PE:2:1-4]). God is not going to accept every one who merely names the name of Jesus. He gives us to understand that we must follow the truth and live a life free from sin in order to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rehoboam
Rehoboam did not realize how deep the roots of rebellion had gone until he sent Adoram, who was over the tribute, to Israel. It was then that Rehoboam fled in his chariot to Jerusalem for refuge and called out the army from Judah and Benjamin to put down the rebellion. It is to his credit, however, that he listened to the word of the Lord and did not go out to fight against Israel. It is also to his credit, and that of his princes, that they humbled themselves when Shishak king of Egypt came against Jerusalem; but for the most part Rehoboam "did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD” [2CH:12:14]).
The End of a Golden Age
How quickly the splendour of the kingdom that God gave Solomon degenerated because of idolatry! As soon as Solomon died the kingdom was divided into two parts; the northern kingdom composed of ten tribes was known as Israel, and the southern kingdom composed of Judah and Benjamin was known as Judah. Not only was the kingdom divided but soon, in the fifth year after Rehoboam began to reign, Shishak, king of Egypt, came to Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house. Instead of shields of gold, Rehoboam substituted shields of brass. An attempt was made to carry on the outward show, but the true glory of Jerusalem had departed; her gold had become brass, and her joy but a "tinkling cymbals.” The sons of Israel should have wept and mourned, and the daughters of Jerusalem should have lamented, for the glorious kingdom had deteriorated because Judah had forsaken her God!
Questions
1. What proposition did Israel lay before Rehoboam?
2. What do you think of his answer?
3. Why did Rehoboam answer thus?
4. Which tribes were with Jeroboam? With Rehoboam?
5. How long were the kingdoms divided?
6. What prevented Rehoboam from fighting Israel?
7. Why did Jeroboam erect golden calves?
8. Where did Jeroboam get his ideas for his religion?
9. How was God's mercy manifested to Rehoboam?
10. What is the summary given of Rehoboam's reign?