Sat-Sun, 18-19 July 2009; 2Chr. 9-10; Prov. 16:4-6; Acts 7:35-50
Moses and Rehoboam were both called of God to rule the Israelites, and their mothers' influence was strongly reflected their individual leadership.
Moses, whose humble beginnings and past failures posed no obstacles to God when it was time to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. During the forty years of wilderness wanderings, Moses carried with him the humble and reverent spirit his mother, Jochabed, had worked so hard to instill.
Rehoboam, on the other hand, was the son of Naamah, an Ammonitess; born to privilege and named the successor to King Solomon. How is it that Solomon had justified his forbidden marriage to one of the pagan children of Lot? How much did he invest in the spiritual life of his son? Rehoboam seemed to have no fear of God, nor any respect for his father's godly counselors.
Ironically, had he followed the recorded wisdom of his father, the kingdom might have been spared the schism resulting from his proud foolishness. Apparently anxious to impress his peers, Rehoboam rejected the mercy and truth admonished in Prov.6:5-6. Makes me wonder if that might have even been part of the counsel given him by the aged ones.
As with the Pharisees who questioned Stephen, in Acts 7, Rehoboam was more concerned about his own power than he was about righteous judgment. Lord, let me always be careful to teach my children the fear of the Lord. And let my own heart bow in humility before You; never forgetting that any authority I have comes from You alone, and solely for Your purpose and glory.
Moses and Rehoboam were both called of God to rule the Israelites, and their mothers' influence was strongly reflected their individual leadership.
Moses, whose humble beginnings and past failures posed no obstacles to God when it was time to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. During the forty years of wilderness wanderings, Moses carried with him the humble and reverent spirit his mother, Jochabed, had worked so hard to instill.
Rehoboam, on the other hand, was the son of Naamah, an Ammonitess; born to privilege and named the successor to King Solomon. How is it that Solomon had justified his forbidden marriage to one of the pagan children of Lot? How much did he invest in the spiritual life of his son? Rehoboam seemed to have no fear of God, nor any respect for his father's godly counselors.
Ironically, had he followed the recorded wisdom of his father, the kingdom might have been spared the schism resulting from his proud foolishness. Apparently anxious to impress his peers, Rehoboam rejected the mercy and truth admonished in Prov.6:5-6. Makes me wonder if that might have even been part of the counsel given him by the aged ones.
As with the Pharisees who questioned Stephen, in Acts 7, Rehoboam was more concerned about his own power than he was about righteous judgment. Lord, let me always be careful to teach my children the fear of the Lord. And let my own heart bow in humility before You; never forgetting that any authority I have comes from You alone, and solely for Your purpose and glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment