Readings:
II Chronicles 12
Acts 21:1-14
Focus:
II Chronicles 12:1: "When Rehoboam's kingdom was firmly established and he grew powerful, he along with all Israel forsook the law of the Lord."
It is so tempting, when we are successful or strong or powerful, to think of our own achievements, and to give credit to ourselves for what we have done and become. It is easy at times like that to forget God.
That appears to be what happened to Rehoboam and the kingdom of Israel over which he ruled. He no longer felt the need for God. He was a powerful king; why did he need to turn to God?
When this happened to Rehoboam, God brought the King of Egypt to defeat Rehoboam and become his master, so that Rehoboam would know the difference between serving the Egyptian king and serving God. It is a good lesson to learn. Serving God is far better than being in bondage to people or things.
Showing posts with label Rehoboam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rehoboam. Show all posts
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Working for the Good of Others
Readings:
II Chronicles 10
Acts 20:1-18
Focus:
II Chronicles 13: "The king gave them a harsh answer; he rejected the advice which the elders had given him."
When Solomon's son Rehoboam becomes king, he has a chance to win the people's love by listening to them and governing them in a way that will make life easier for them. He consults the elders, and this is their advice.
But Rehoboam also consults his young friends, and they give him advice that apparently conforms to what he wants--that he will rule the people even more harshly, which will contribute to Rehoboam's image as a great and powerful absolute king. This is the advice that Rehoboam follows.
This does not turn out the way that Rehoboam wants. In fact, the people rebel against him, and most of Israel tears itself away and places itself under a different king. The kingdom stays divided until the exile to Babylon, centuries later.
It is a good reminder to me that when we seek what we think will be to our own advantage, it often turns out to be to our disadvantage instead. But when we seek the good of others, it turns back on us and becomes our good as well. That's the way it works in God's economy.
II Chronicles 10
Acts 20:1-18
Focus:
II Chronicles 13: "The king gave them a harsh answer; he rejected the advice which the elders had given him."
When Solomon's son Rehoboam becomes king, he has a chance to win the people's love by listening to them and governing them in a way that will make life easier for them. He consults the elders, and this is their advice.
But Rehoboam also consults his young friends, and they give him advice that apparently conforms to what he wants--that he will rule the people even more harshly, which will contribute to Rehoboam's image as a great and powerful absolute king. This is the advice that Rehoboam follows.
This does not turn out the way that Rehoboam wants. In fact, the people rebel against him, and most of Israel tears itself away and places itself under a different king. The kingdom stays divided until the exile to Babylon, centuries later.
It is a good reminder to me that when we seek what we think will be to our own advantage, it often turns out to be to our disadvantage instead. But when we seek the good of others, it turns back on us and becomes our good as well. That's the way it works in God's economy.
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