Choice
(1Kings 12:1~24)
A deaconess was told 'Choose! Church or me!' by her husband, who had another woman. She was also told, 'Sell our house and buy a new one for me and her.' We Christians are challenged every day to choose between peace and war. Of course, we need to make a spiritual choice, which calls for our fellow Christians support because its beyond our ability to choose correctly on our own. When we advise someone not to divorce, however, we face severe criticism. The best time for us to help out a person is at the peak of his or her trial. What was wrong with the choice Rehoboam made, who was born a Christian prince?
1. He had no idea of redemption history. The first thing that Rehoboam did after becoming king was to go to Shechem, the central city of Israel. 'All Israelites' refers to the ten tribes of Israel, including Josephs. We need to be reminded of the great trials David passed through before he could unite the kingdom. Touched by his humility, the ten tribes came to David in Hebron and asked him to be their king. However, when Solomon turned away from God, the ten tribes also turned away from him to Jeroboam. Jeroboam was a handsome, gallant, and strong warrior, who belonged to the Josephites. His rebellion was predestined by God not because of his excellence but because of providence. Rehoboam was standing at the crossroads of Judah and Israel. From a human perspective, Jeroboam deserved to be enthroned, yet from the viewpoint of redemption history, he didnt. Seeing ones sins is a spiritual action. The one who doesnt see his sins, therefore, cannot make a spiritual choice. Spiritual choice is the best human choice because his body and spirit are one. The supreme human emotion is repentance, which leads to confession and finally to salvation. Joseph was displeased when he saw his father placing his right hand on his second son Ephraims head for the blessing of the eldest son.(Gen 48:17) In contrast, Judah said about his daughter-in-law, Tamar 'She is more righteous than I'(Gen 38:26) with the perspective of salvation. Thus the Bible, a book of salvation leads us to discern the true model of salvation by asking Who is closer to it, Judah or Joseph? Rehoboam, Davids grandson, couldnt make a right choice because he didnt have the perspective of redemption history.
2. He listened only to what pleased him. The whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and asked him to lighten the heavy yoke of forced labor. If we dont keep the principles, God calls even our descendants to account for it. We need to follow the law through our daily QT, knowing that everything will be revealed someday. Yet Rehoboam was blind to this while Jeroboam had no idea of the Lord. The lack of leadership always comes from a self-centred viewpoint. Solomon gave the heavy yoke of forced labor to the Josephites while making the Judahites their supervisors, which instigated a severe regionalism. A worse issue than this was the idolatry caused by Solomons thousand wives. Rehoboam should have listen to the complaints of the northern Israel. Seeing ones sins is the beginning of wisdom. Therefore, those who know their sins also know how to respond properly. Yet Rehoboam, who couldnt see his sins, said to the people 'Go away for three days and then come back to me'(v.5). Three days is a period long enough to change the whole world. However, those who dont see their sins cant use it. At the moment of making a critical decision, we need to pay special attention to prayer and our counselors whom we refer to and listen to. Rehoboam asked the elders first and they advised him to listen to the people and serve them. But he instantly ignore them, as the Hebrew version says and listened to the young men. He was like his father. He had never seen his father discussing anything with his elders. The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam said what pleased the king, not knowing what might happen. Without knowing redemption history, we cant apply the Word to our lives. Even though Rehoboam pretended to seek counsel, he already had his mind made up. Those who have the answer in their heart are deaf to the Word. People who are spiritually deaf to the Word seek only a solution. If we rely on God, we can recreate everything under all circumstances. Thats why we need to pray for our children to keep company with a good Christian instead of a competent person of nice background. Theres no better practical prescription better than See your sins! We get nowhere when we dont listen no matter how diligently we see this counselor or that. Theres no dull or boring guy among those who truly see and share their sins. Notice verse 15, 'this turn of events was from the LORD.' God often uses even our foolish decision in order to fulfill his providence. The action of not listening to the Word is in itself the result of Gods punishment, yet to Gods people, even it is another way of his blessing discipline.
3. His choice had nothing to do with the fulfillment of the Word. Seeing that the king refused to listen to all Israel, they turned their back on Rehoboam, saying 'What share do we have in David?' Only the Judahites followed him because their temple was in Jerusalem, where they could worship God. We also need to wait for the sake of our worship. If we fail to wait and follow Jeroboam, we are one of those who hold worldly values. The heavenly kingdom is enlarged by the one who faithfully holds on to God. Watching the people turning against him, Rehoboam hurriedly sent Adoram who was in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. Nevertheless, Rehoboam didnt recognize Gods will and mustered a hundred and eighty thousand fighting men to retrieve his kingdom. He decided to wage a war against his brother kingdom instead of repenting of his faults. Our choice that has nothing to do with the fulfillment of the Word gets us nowhere. Fortunately Rehoboam opened his heart and obeyed the Word (v.24). Why did he go back home? Its because he repented. He accepted the Word that Jeroboam would reign over the ten tribes and David wound have one tribe. Thus the Word lets us know who we are. God prophesies and fulfills the Word. QT is listening to His prophecy, which is the best choice for us. If we let go of our hundred and eighty thousand fighting men and hold on to the Word, we can truly be His people. If we obey the Word, though we may seem lost now, we will see Jesus coming to us. Solomon was spiritually weak, but because of his repentance and under the lamp light of David, he was able to become a spiritual forefather of Rehoboam. We need to notice the seed of faith always. People chase after Jeroboam, a hero of indomitable human spirit. Yet, he is one of the most evil kings in the Bible. Thus our choice matters. Jeroboam didnt repent after listening to the prophet Ahijah. Repentance is the short cut to salvation, yet its beyond our ability to do without Gods grace. Only those who repent at the last moment can be enrolled in the heavenly genealogy. According to a senior mokja report, one of our group leaders has served his sick wife for 10 years. What an excellent choice he has made! May God bless us to hold on to him in the midst of our tough circumstances and sow the seed of Jesus Christ for our descendants!
So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite. (1Kgs 12:15)
