“And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him, he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, ‘My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the LORD that He might fulfill His word, which the LORD spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” 1 Kings 12:13-15
Devotional Thought For The Day
There was history that preceded this account, reasons why God had sent His prophet Ahijah to prophecy to Jeroboam about his future, that he would become king of the ten Northern tribes of Israel, good reason why God brought about this “turn of affairs.” It all had principally to do with Solomon, his love of “many women,” especially those of foreign nations who were unbelievers and idolaters [1 Kings 11:1] who turned his heart to idolatry and moved him to set up high places for the worship of these gods in Israel. [1 Kings 11:4-11] This was bad enough, a terrible foolishness for this extremely wealthy “wise man,” but worse yet he also participated in idolatrous worship, a great evil and perverting influence on the whole nation. Solomon was a very deep and intricate person, but it was basic pride, immorality, and disloyalty to God that was his downfall and the downfall of the united nation of Israel. He came to feel privileged and entitled, characteristics that were tragically passed down to his shallow and foolish son, whose actions caused the division of the nation.
The explanation given in this account of God’s activities is remarkable and intriguing. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and heir to the kingdom, was provided with good counsel from the older leaders. Instead of being swayed by the wise counsel, Rehoboam was convinced to take a hard and harsh line toward the long suffering people of Israel, who had been abused by Solomon through high taxes for some length of time. He was naive in his politics, thinking that a strong stance was better for exerting power and control in every instance, rather than understanding that there are times when leaders must bend and act with humility [walk softly but carry a big stick]. Regardless, he was essentially a pawn in God’s imposition of judgment upon Solomon’s house and upon the whole nation for the grotesque and wicked idolatry that they brought into Israel and countenanced. In other words, God caused good counsel to go unheeded, and for a misguided and impious leader to engage in a disastrous and self-destructive course of action.
We do well to take heed to this, for there are times when we are so convinced of the propriety of our actions, so certain of our privileged and entitled position, that we fall into foolishness and come under the disciplinary hand of God. Our idolatries are a bit different from those of Solomon, however they are essentially based in the same weaknesses of our sinful flesh: the desire for wealth, privilege, pleasures, prerogative, power, independence from God and His Word, self-determination, and popularity with the people we love and care about. We too can be jogging along through life thinking that all is well and good, when we suddenly run face first into a power pole. We think that our sinful indulgences are small, innocuous, and safe. But God can easily arrange a time of deep sorrow and repentance for us, and it is obviously far better for us if we are humbled and returned to repentance, and back to a commitment to genuine humility, love, and goodness.
Of course, God has already provided forgiveness and cleansing for all our sins, even the grotesque sins of Solomon. The problem with idolatry is that it directs our hearts and minds away from God, the only True and Living God, so that we lose sight of His love. We end up justifying our sins and wickedness in a variety of clever and compelling ways – so that we think it right to despise His Word and to do as we please. This occurs in our lives more often that we think; much of it is habitual and integrated into our lifestyle, so that we may not even think of it. So God’s call to actually study His Word, to humble ourselves in submission to His wise and good counsel, has to do with His mercy and His love for us, so that we might turn to Him and receive forgiveness, and also be healed by His love. God also brings about “turns of affairs” in our own lives, to discipline us and guide us more closely to Himself, so that our highest loyalty remains to Him. This is surely better than the deplorable circumstances that may be required to bring us back to our senses. And if we are in the midst of this kind of discipline, God grant that we humbly return to His grace, mercy, and love, and bind ourselves even more tightly to His Word and will. Ultimately, His will is always to bless us and heal us, for God is love.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, how deeply You must have loved both David and Solomon, and pleased when they remained humble and submissive to Your Word. How heartbreaking it must have been to You when they turned away from Your ways, became hardened in their hearts, and required Your stern and harsh discipline. We can be sure that You have the same love and care for us, and that You will wisely do whatever is necessary in ordering the affairs of our lives to keep us humble, repentant, and joyful in Your love and salvation. Grant that we be attentive to and understanding of Your Word, and turn our hearts through Your love to greater loyalty and devotion to You. Preserve us always in our faith and trust in You. Amen.