Scripture
After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord.
Reflection
If you want to know exactly how King Rehoboam and all Israel (the city of Jerusalem and Judah) abandoned the “law of the Lord” read 1 Kings 14:22-24. The people group known as Israel had been invited to enter into a covenant with God himself. Like a marriage covenant, both the bride and the groom would honor the covenant completely. This covenant would bring about blessings for everyone, even for the nations of the world, but only if the covenant was kept. Sadly, that never happened; though God had kept his part of the covenant, Israel did not. The stories and the writing of most of what we call the Old Testament tell of the tragic consequences of sin and God’s attempts to restore and save “the marriage”. Sin cannot be accommodated; there can be no room for sin in the life of the follower of Jesus. If the story of Rehoboam teaches us anything it teaches that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life (Ps. Dale).
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell us about God and people?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
- Who can you encourage with this story/message?
Prayer
Pray for the spiritually lost among the global community in Shanghai; pray that they will be drawn to God by the Holy Spirit.
