Abandoned. Now the tribes were divided. Rehoboam left with two and Jeroboam left with the other ten tribes. Reheboam realized he had made a mistake and walked in the ways of The Lord for the first three years of his reign over Judah and Benjamin or the Southern Kingdom. Rehoboam at the beginning of this rebellion manned an army to fight against Israel. However the Lord sent a man named Shemaiah to speak to Rehoboam and tell him the Lord said otherwise and to send the men home and not to go against Jeroboam and the other ten tribes of Israel. He thought he could force them into unity. Unfortunately we all know true unity involves willingness with the heart and would have never worked. Sometimes God allows division to fulfill a greater purpose. God preserved Davids line and kept his plan for the Messiah (Jesus Christ) to be a descendant od David. The Priest and Levities move to Judah because the center of worship was held in Jerusalem. There were 3 great annual religious festivals held there every year along with many other worship services and rituals throughout the year. They offered sacrifices, taught Gods law, and encouraged people to continue to follow God and avoid pagan worship. Jeroboam saw the Priest and Levites a threat because they remained faithful to Jerusalem on Gods behalf. However it was their spiritual duties that kept them there not loyalty to man. Jeroboam did not see it this way and he appointed his own priest which forced the Levites from their duties forcing them to move to the Southern kingdom with Rehoboam. Jeroboams priest were pagans and they began to worship idols. The Northern kingdom under the leadership of Jeroboam was now in danger of abandoning God. These priest and Levities that moved to the Southern Kingdom being faithful to God strengthened the kingdom there. They had not followed mans law but Gods and they were blessed. Now the Jewish men were also required to travel to the Temple 3 times a year. Jeroboam set up worship centers and told the people it was too far to travel to Jerusalem and by them worshipping at these centers they would be disobeying God. Jeroboam would place calf idols in the cities of Dan and Bethel which were convenient for the people instead of the long travel to Jerusalem. Jerobaom knew by them going to Jerusalem they may undermine his authority over time. Before long the religion they had was in little comparison to the true faith of God. Jeroboam was leading his kingdom away from God. Rehoboam made an attempt to obey God for the first three years of his reign.However he too at the height of his popularity and power would abandon God. Rehoboam like so many others would become comfortable, forget about God and lead himself to destruction. We see two men here leaders of many people because of their own selfishness leading their people away from God. Rehoboam would lose sight of God and Jeroboam leading his people into worshipping idols. Here we receive a valuable life lesson we can take from this lesson. Only follow the leadership of God loving and God fearing men who seek the counsel of God in all the decisions they make as they lead. In our government today this is so hard to find. In our churches the men that lead us and guide us in the ways of the Lord is where the best leadership qualities can be found today. We must be true to God and not follow men because thats what the majority is doing. We must do what is right and pleasing to God not man. We all need to stand up for whats right in the eyes of God no matter if people hate us because of it or not. I would rather be hated by man and loved by God any day. We will soon see the devastating result once again of disobedience to God as we continue our study here. These studies contain so many wonderful life lessons we can apply to our lives. Such a blessing to be able to share Gods word with you and so many others. If you need to talk to me I am always available. I am praying for you both lost and saved alike. Until tomorrow.... I love ya guys!!!
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 02:03:48 +0000
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