Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100.

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, is now king. All Israel goes to him asking that he lighten the harsh labor and heavy yoke Solomon put on them, 1 Kings 12. He consults with the elders who served his father who advise him to serve the people. The young men he grew up with advise him the exact opposite and Rehoboam takes their advice. 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, v. 15. And the result? “What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!” v. 16.

When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David. v. 20. Rehoboam wanted to go to war against Jeroboam and the tribes that rebelled against his rule.

David sought the Lord. Solomon asked for God’s wisdom in ruling God’s people. Rehoboam sought the advice of young men. It never said Rehoboam asked God for understanding. As a result Israel, divided, is about to go to war.

But this word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, to all Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” So they obeyed the word of the Lord and went home again, as the Lord had ordered. v. 22-24.

It goes downhill from there. Jeroboam is now king of Israel and Rehoboam is now king of Judah. Jeroboam doesn’t want to lose the 10 tribes of Israel when they go to worship God in Jerusalem, territory of Judah. He, too, doesn’t consult with God. After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other. v. 28-30. Jeroboam even appointed men not of the tribe of Levi to serve as priests.

Wow. These are your gods? Golden calves…really?

Is it any wonder Jesus came to show us a better way? Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28.

This is my doing.

We can read about these events and shake our heads but what about today? Do we trust what God is doing in the world today? Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his…For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

I read today’s chapter and it broke my heart. How do we not turn away from God? How do we not be so fooled that we worship what is not God? We must have a willing heart to trust Him for everything. Be patient. His love for you and for each one of us endures forever. He is faithful through all of our generations. The Son of Man, the Messiah, Creator God is faithful and His truth is and always will be. There is no Other. This is His doing and He ransomed all of us with His Life to the glory of the Father who loves us and gave His Son for us. Can you trust He knows exactly what He is doing? Absolutely.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name! Amen! Thank You, Lord!