Daily Manna 5 July
KEY VERSE: “So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tent, O Israel: now see to your own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tent.” – (1 Kings 12:16)
TEXT: 1 Kings 12:16-24
16 Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying:
“What share have we in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
To your tents, O Israel!
Now, see to your own house, O David!”
So Israel departed to their tents. 17 But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah.
18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was in charge of the revenue; but all Israel stoned him with stones, and he died. Therefore King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
20 Now it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had come back, they sent for him and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel. There was none who followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
21 And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin, one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 22 But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 23 “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying, 24 ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.” ’ ” Therefore they obeyed the word of the Lord, and turned back, according to the word of the Lord.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
There is a story of an emperor in whose realm there was rebellion. Certain of his subjects were in revolt. The emperor was setting out to the scene of the uprising and said to his nobles, “come with me and see me destroy these rebels.” But when he reached the province he showed only kindness to those in revolt. He treated them with gentleness and affection. The result was that they laid down their arms and became his most loyal subjects.
His nobles reminded him of his words to them, “come and see me destroy my enemies.” He replied, “I have destroyed my enemies, I have made them my friends.” The passage reveals the result of Rehoboam’s unwise response to the request of his subjects to lessen the heavy yoke his father put on them. The twelve tribes of Israel came to him to request that their yoke be lightened, but he replied saying he would make it heavier.
The reaction of the people was swift as they stoned Adoram, the tribute collector to death. This led to the division of Israel and an avoidable enmity between the divided kingdoms. Rehoboam assembled 80,000 soldiers to fight against the house of Israel and bring them to subjection. But for divine intervention through Shemaiah, his reaction would have led to a war between Israel and Judah.
Nations go to war today due to unwise reactions to issues of life. Economies and friendships collapse due to the inability to manage actual or perceived rebellion wisely. Many homes have broken down because family members fail to react wisely to perceived rebellion by other members of the family.
Believers in authority should always reflect godly wisdom expected of heaven-bound pilgrims in issues of life. Nations, organizations, homes and the Church would fare better if those in positions of leadership apply godly wisdom in handling grievances.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Godly character breeds godly homes.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 9-10
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Unwise Reaction to Rebellion – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 5 July 2021
