The Blessing of Lifelong Troubles
(1 kings 11:14~43)
Solomon experienced a series of troubles because his heart had turned away from the Lord (1Kgs 11:9). Yet this constant trouble became his lifelong blessing as he said 'the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in' (Prov. 3:12). The only object of Gods concern is His hildren. How then does God give troubles to us as he did to Solomon?
1. He evokes Hadads vengeance. In verse 13, God said to Solomon 'I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.' Thus God desperately wanted Solomon enrolled in Jesus genealogy even by raising up Hadad the Edomite as Solomons adversary. How could Solomon, a great sinner become a forefather of Jesus? It was by a series of troubles Gods way of saving Solomon and his people. There is no accident in Providence. Hadad was a prince of Edom, a brother tribe of Israel. During the reign of David when Joab destroyed the Edomites, staying in Edom for six months, Hadad was rescued by his men and escaped to Egypt. After marrying Pharaohs sister in law, Hadad enjoyed Egyptian royal life. However, he kept the bitterness of his past and vengeance in his heart. At the bottom of his bitterness were David and Joab, the horrible murderers of innocent people. He was like a spiritual boy, immature in his perspective of salvation and keeping refresh only his past wound. However, Gods fairness lurked even in Hadads rebellion. Joabs cause of destroying the Edomites was waging a holy war. But he didnt do it in Gods way. God overlooked this until he used this incident as a way of chastising Solomon. Thus God used Hadads vengeful spirit for the heavenly kingdom. Hadads revengeful thoughts were dormant while Solomon was building his temple, but they rose up when Solomon turned away from God. Vengeance is beyond human control and ruinous. Only Jesus shows us the reality of vengeance, total fabrication. Israel and Judah fell apart and fell to total ruin before they were reunited (Ezk. 38). If we think we are Hadad, we should repent of our Edomite forefathers sins.
2. He evokes Rezons hostility. During the reign of Solomon, there was no war. However, people worshiped Ashtoreth and Molech, which called for Gods discipline beyond Hadads revenge and Rezons hostility. Rezon ran away to Damascus and became a king after deserting his master when David attacked Soba. Actually he had nothing to do with Solomon, but tried to revenge himself on Solomon just because he was Davids son. He was a typical anti-hero against society. Solomon might have expected to enjoy the prosperity of his kingdom through the daughter of Pharaoh, but ended up being distressed by trivial enemies like Hadad and Rezon. The outrageous thorns around us are the token of Gods love for us and the reminder of our sinful nature. They are the incidents God raises for us. Through unforgivable incidents, we face our sinful nature that we dont want to accept. Hadad and Rezons rebellion against Solomon occurred from Solomons later years until his death. Nevertheless, they were described as Israels adversaries 'as long as Solomon lived.' To Solomon, the distress was so great that he must have felt it as his life-long suffering even though it happened during his later years. The Hebrew word trouble in verse 25 has the same etymology as evil in verse 6, which means that Solomons trouble was the result of his evil. Therefore, when we have troubles, we need to check our sins.
3. He evokes Jeroboams rebellious jealousy. From verse 26 on, a dreadful rebellion began to germinate. Internal sins are more horrible than external flaws. After getting along with the king of Tyrus and having Pharaohs daughter without any faith community, Solomon finally fell by his henchman Jeroboams betrayal, Our Egypt doesnt save us. Our faith community is the only shelter for us. Our enemies attack us for good reason. Solomon hired some Ephraimites for the maintenance work of the city of David under the leadership of the Judahites, overlooking the Ephramites constant jealousy of the Judahites. It was Solomons mistake. Solomon actually gave Jerobaom a reason for rebellion. The person we mistakenly hire can cause a wedge between God and us or a friction among us, our home and community. We always need to stand by God instead of figuring out whom we should support. We can stand by God and focus on Him by dissuading a person from his or her divorce. Prophet Ahijah met Jeroboam, not Solomon on his throne. Solomons misfortune started here. Ahijah told Jeroboam that God would tear the kingdom out of Solomons hand and give him ten tribes, but not in Solomon life time. But Jeroboam didnt wait for Gods time. And Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam instead of making his second best application, his better-late-than-never repentance. He tried to take some advantage of his Egyptian royal family in law through his political intermarriage, but he helped out Jeroboam instead. It was the result of relying on men. Nevertheless, through his imperfect repentance, Solomon was buried in the city of David his father in Gods grace because he belonged to Davids genealogy.
A deacon came to Wooridle Church after failing in his pastoral ministry and household, being addicted to sex, gambling, and drugs. He let his wife work as a cleaning woman and turned his three sons into psychotherapy patients. Then he came to Wooridle Church persuaded by his wife. At first he couldnt understand the Word, but through his wifes patience and encouragement, he was able to cut off his 30-year drug addiction. Now he is serving his community as an assistant leader and doing his chauffeur service. His eldest son is a leader of youth department. Thus we can bring our children into the city of David, when we constantly walk in faith, following only the Word. May God bless us all to enjoy the blessing of our lifelong troubles under our all our circumstances!
Rezon was Israels adversary as long as Solomon lived, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled in Aram and was hostile toward Israel. (1Kgs 11:25)
