1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Titus 1
The story of the division of the kingdom of Israel teaches several important lessons:
- As Solomon's son, Rehoboam was generally a competent man who could organize the state (2 Chronicles 11:23). However, he lacked humble confidence and was replaced by self-assurance. He listened to the advice of the young men he grew up with instead of the experienced elders (1 Kings 12:6-13). As a result, the tragic division of Israel occurred, with ten tribes separating from Judah and Benjamin.
- Rehoboam's story is another testament to the astonishing operation of God's providence, combining God's sovereign decisions and human actions. Rehoboam weighed the opinions of the elders and his young friends and made his decision independently. Yet, this decision fulfilled God's prophecy about the division of the kingdom, given during Solomon's time: "So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from the Lord that He might establish His word, which the Lord spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." (1 Kings 12:15).
- To strengthen his political power, Jeroboam radically disrupted the entire system of worship established by Moses. He set up two golden calves, one in the northern part of the country in Dan and the other in the southern part near Judah in Bethel. He told the people, "Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). Instead of genuinely fearing God, politicians often use religion for their political ends.
Titus 1
After ministering together on the island of Crete, the apostle Paul entrusts his disciple Titus with appointing elders in the newly established churches. This passage is a crucial explanation of the qualities that elders must possess, divided into three categories:
-"An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient." (Titus 1:6)
- "Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." (Titus 1:7-8)
- "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." (Titus 1:9). Paul elaborates on the importance of this ability because "there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception" (Titus 1:10). This has always been the case throughout the history of the Church.
This is why ministers are people with a unique calling who need prayer and support to carry out their work faithfully.
- As Solomon's son, Rehoboam was generally a competent man who could organize the state (2 Chronicles 11:23). However, he lacked humble confidence and was replaced by self-assurance. He listened to the advice of the young men he grew up with instead of the experienced elders (1 Kings 12:6-13). As a result, the tragic division of Israel occurred, with ten tribes separating from Judah and Benjamin.
- Rehoboam's story is another testament to the astonishing operation of God's providence, combining God's sovereign decisions and human actions. Rehoboam weighed the opinions of the elders and his young friends and made his decision independently. Yet, this decision fulfilled God's prophecy about the division of the kingdom, given during Solomon's time: "So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from the Lord that He might establish His word, which the Lord spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." (1 Kings 12:15).
- To strengthen his political power, Jeroboam radically disrupted the entire system of worship established by Moses. He set up two golden calves, one in the northern part of the country in Dan and the other in the southern part near Judah in Bethel. He told the people, "Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). Instead of genuinely fearing God, politicians often use religion for their political ends.
Titus 1
After ministering together on the island of Crete, the apostle Paul entrusts his disciple Titus with appointing elders in the newly established churches. This passage is a crucial explanation of the qualities that elders must possess, divided into three categories:
-"An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient." (Titus 1:6)
- "Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." (Titus 1:7-8)
- "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." (Titus 1:9). Paul elaborates on the importance of this ability because "there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception" (Titus 1:10). This has always been the case throughout the history of the Church.
This is why ministers are people with a unique calling who need prayer and support to carry out their work faithfully.
Posted in Reading Bible Together