Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Jun 5 2019 - 1 Kings 11:41-12:24 – Solomon's death and a divided kingdom

Jeroboam son of Nebat was one of king Solomon's officials, placed in charge of part of his labour force (1 Kings 11:26-28). One day, when Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah met him. The prophet said that because of the idolatry of the children of Israel, God was going to give ten of the twelve tribes of Israel to Jeroboam to rule over. Only the tribe of Judah would be left to be ruled by Solomon's successor. This prophecy would be fulfilled only after Solomon's death.

Somehow, Solomon heard about this and tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt and stayed there until Solomon's death. And that is where we pick up the story in today's reading.

After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam travelled to Shechem where all Israel had gathered to see him anointed as king. But Jeroboam raced back from Egypt and became spokesman for "the whole assembly of Israel" in a confrontation with Rehoboam demanding, "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labour and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you" (12:4). These words make it clear that the common people had suffered enough of the high levels of taxation and conscripted labour Solomon had imposed on them to support his extravagant lifestyle and impressive army. They seem willing to acknowledge Solomon's son as their king, but only if he does not demand as high a price from them as had his father.

Rehoboam askes for three days to consider their demands; days in which he consults his advisors.

The elders who had served Solomon during his lifetime had probably witnessed first-hand the growth of Solomon's court and of his army and the toll it had imposed on the people. They wisely advised Rehoboam, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favourable answer, they will always be your servants" (12:7). They were advising Rehoboam to return to God's model for the one who would be king over his people, the servant king. This was a model that had been exemplified for a while in king David, the shepherd king. (For David's humility, see 1 Chronicles 17:16-27.)

But this advice did not please Rehoboam who seems to have a high view of his own dignity and rights as a royal prince, soon to be king. So, having rejected the advice of the elders, Rehoboam turns to some of the young men who had grown up with him, probably in the privileged environment of Solomon's court. They advised Rehoboam to answer the people's demands by saying, "My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions" (12:10-11). And that's what Rehoboam did, provoking a revolt by all the tribes of Israel except Judah.

So the prophet's words were fulfilled. Jeroboam became king over the ten northern tribes, confusingly now known as Israel, and Rehoboam became king over the tribe of Judah in the south – and over the smaller tribe of Benjamin. Solomon had been famous for his wisdom, Rehoboam his son will be forever remembered by the people of God for his folly.

In David's greater son, the Lord Jesus Christ we have one who did not grasp on to his own dignity and position. He left his throne in glory to come into this world not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for sinners. And because he was glad to give himself for us, so we are now glad always to be his servants. His kingdom will know no end.

Father God, give us, by your Spirit, the wisdom not to think of ourselves more highly than we should, but to value others more highly than ourselves. Above all, fill us with love and devotion towards our Lord Jesus Christ, the Servant King. Help us always to follow him in the path of faithful obedience and service.

Jun 5 2020 - Romans 4:1-12 – Father Abraham

Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that God receives all who come to him in faith, Jew or Gentile. Abraham was not a Jew, neither was Abraham circumcised when he believed the promises of God and began his pilgrimage with God. So he is the father of Gentile believers. He is also the father of Jewish believers, though not merely by physical parentage; he is the father of Jews who share the same faith as Abraham.

Salvation is all of grace; it begins with the initiative of God who calls and promises and acts for our salvation – to bring us to himself. Salvation is all of faith; the faith that responds to God’s call, lays hold on his promises and trusts in all that God has done to save us.

But there is more to say about Abraham for our encouragement. Abraham did not always lead a life of exemplary faith. His faith sometimes failed him. Twice he passed off his wife Sarah as his sister to get himself out of trouble – and twice God rescued him from the trouble that would otherwise have befallen him. His faith failed concerning the promise of a son through Sarah when he took her servant Hagar to bed to gain a child through her. Abraham knew God, but he often failed to act in a manner consistent with that knowledge. Thank God it is not our faith that commends us to God, for our faith, just like our conduct, often fails. Salvation is by God’s grace and by God’s power, though it is apprehended by feeble and faltering faith.

Such salvation is the source of great blessing – or perhaps, more accurately, is great blessing. Paul, is seeking to emphasise that God’s acceptance of us is not on the basis of what we have done but on the basis of what God has done for us in Christ. He quotes from Psalm 32:

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.

As I read these words, I think of Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. He had taken and squandered all that his father had given him and, only when reduced to utter despair had thought to return to his father and ask to earn enough in his father’s employ to keep him from starvation. But in the story told by Jesus, the father was looking and longing for his son to return. He ran out to meet him, kissed him and received him back into the family home not as a slave but as a beloved son. He celebrated the son who was lost but who is now found. The father in the parable did not treat his son as he deserved but in a way that reflected his own extravagant and forgiving love. And this is how God has dealt with us – and how he continues to deal with us.

Praise God for the abundance of his undeserved blessings towards us. Walk in the footsteps of Abraham, the man of faith – at least, follow his example when he did walk by faith.

Father God, thank you that you called Abraham out of a pagan culture that he might know you and serve your great purpose of salvation and that, through him and his offspring, all peoples on earth might be blessed. Thank you that you enabled him to obey your call. Thank you also that, through the Lord Jesus, that blessing has extended to me and I have been made a member of Abraham’s family – the family of faith. Help me to walk in the footsteps of faith and to rejoice in all that you have done for me in the Lord Jesus Christ. May others be drawn to faith in him through the testimony of my life and words.

Peter Misselbrook