Foolishly Stubborn
Posted 3/17/2007
Rehoboam succeeded his father Solomon to the throne of Israel. He inherited a fabulously rich, powerful kingdom, and had known little else his entire life. As he begins his reign, his people entreat him for a lighter burden. Solomon may have been wise and successful, but he required much of the nation. The people are asking for relief, and they're promising allegiance in return.
Rehoboam gets two pieces of advice: grant the request - after all, the nation is now wealthy and can afford a break. The second counsel (which he goes with) rejects compassion, and lays on more to be required, in rude and arrogant terms. Now, did he even have a choice? After all, God told Solomon that the kingdom would split! So, it's Solomon's fault, not Rehoboams. Nope. Rehoboam could have made the right choice, followed God, and God might have show mercy, and delayed the split until his son! He did that for Solomon, after all. Or, the nation may have split anyway, even after Rehoboam granted the request, because since when to sinful selfish people have enough?
The nation splits as a result, and all-out civil war was stopped only by direct command from God, though border skirmishes were as much a fact of life as they are today in Israel.
The weakened, godless nation has no means of preventing Egypt from marching in and taking their pick of the treasures in the temple and king's house.
- Refusing God
- I called and you refused Pr 1:24, 1Ki 11:9
- Arrogantly ignore His admonishments Ne 9:29, 1Ki 11:7-8
- In the face of all of His reproof and correction Jer 5:3
- Unrepentant of sin
- Didn't even blush Jer 6:15
- Even in trouble Da 9:13
- Even if someone rose from the dead to warm them Lu 16:31
- Like
- The bitter quarrel at Meribah Ps 95:8, Ex 17:7
- The blindness of Israel to God's wonderful works Ps 78:32; "in spite of all this" Ps 78:12-31
- The refusal of the disciples to believe the reports that Jesus is alive Mar 16:14
- Hardening in stubbornness
- Results in brokenness Pr 29:1, like water when frozen can easily be smashed to bits
- Rehoboam's pride split the nation
- Results in lack of compassion Mar 3:5, like when the Pharisees valued their rules over doing good
- What? Ease up on the workload? You don't even know what work is!
- Results in removal of position Da 5:20, like when Nebuchadnezzar lost his throne and senses
- Egypt walked in and made their selections for free
- Results in the wrath of God Ro 2:5, when the righteous judgment of God happens
- God is deadly serious about being number one, and Solomon's, and now Rehoboam's idolatry seal their doom.
- Results in bondage Ps 32:9, like a horse has to be fenced and bridled
- War is back on the table, and will never leave again.
- Hope for the stubborn
- "Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, who are far from righteousness. I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; and My salvation will not delay." Isa 46:12-13
- God has promised an heir to David, who will be Jesus the Christ. His offer of salvation extends to all, even the most unrepentant and stubborn.
Home