The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-06

p q Eiidca readily accepted
ECHO .i.. us king, but the ten tribes
3hesituted and, according to one trans.
!ation there was years delay during
which time JcrobOam was sent for and
Certain reforms were formulated ~ q.
Their charges we're entirely selfish
and made no reference to the rights OF
Jehovah nor offered any protest
against the increasing idolatry. Be.
fore allegiance was sworn Jeroboam
Jas spokesman presented these reforms
Nv. ~ and Rehoboam wisely asked for
time to consider the request ". s..
I. u. Good Counsel Neglected, w.
6-12. Rehoboam came Of bad stock
(ch. 14:2D, yet his first step was
wise one. His name means "Enlarger
ef the people" but he sadly belied the
sbame. Too long had he lived In the
atmosphere Of luxury and enervation.
The northern tribes suffered greatly
through taxation and shared none Of
The prosperity OF Jerusalem. solomons
yoke" like that OF every earthly mon
arch, had been heavy Matt, 1929, 3O).
The counsel OF the old men was good
Nv. %, 1t was kingly, manly.
Jesus tells US that the greatest must
be the servant Of all and sets US the
Example himself Matt. 20:2S). Reho-
beam next consulted those OF his own
circle who were grown up with him."
men Of like position and passions,
youths as inexperienced as himself
who had no sympathy but we're wild,
:conceited, overbearing, selfish. Reho.
beam asked advice" ". g. Of the old
men, but asked for counsel" ". 81 of
the young men, but In neither case Is
there any suggestion that God was
consulted Games 1:5). These young
men counseled boasting and burden.
some course which brought Rehoboam
to grief. Oppression always results
In rebellion, fact that those who gov.
iern or employ others should ponder
well. Rehoboam's choice OF counselors
and his consequent course Of action
was the height Of foolIshness prov.
1920.
III. Bad Counsel Confirmed, w.
i12-14. Jeroboam's subsequent career
confirms US in believing that he more
than all others encouraged and fos.
tered the division OF the kingdom. But
he and the proud. foolish princeIing
were both only carrying out the word
and will Of Jehovah ". Is; Ps. 76:1O).
This does not however, lessen his
guilt or folly (Acts 2:23). Not content
with declaring his acceptance Of the
evil counsel be spoke roughly" ".
'13) and this verse suggests to US that
fthe old men's counsel" was known to
the people. thereby sggravating his
offense. Whom God wishes to destroy
he first makes mad" Rough words
wound or madden and, "by using soft
words you may lead an elephant by
hair" Not content to refuse Reho-
beam threatens added burdens ". AZ.
/, w. Conclusion. God turned away
the kingdom from Solomon's house be-
cause Solomon had turned away from
God (ch. 11:s.11, 81, 33). A true
prophet foretold what would happen,
the cause was from the Lord that he
might perform his saying" ". 10, CT.
.11:31, 32). God ls constantly and lit.
orally fulfilling prophecy. Those which
have been SO fully and SO infinitely full.
oiled are warrant that In due time
all will likewise come to pass" Re.
ho!Joam Is le the young men
of today.
/ Rehoboam is also lesson for pres.
ent day fathers.
4 Finally Rehoboam is lesson to all
who are set in authority. To close our
ears to the cry OF the needy; to forget
our obligations to God and to men
.55Matt. 25), and to fail to see Gods pur.
poses, prophecies and plans, inevitably
courts disaster.
I The coming king Of kings who in full,
,nllment Of prophecy did come, and
will come again, has a yoke for his
subjects which is easy" His finger
~. 10Y and hands were used in loving
ministries and the only chastisement
~. III he ever permits is that which,
proves US to be sons" not slaves
.[Heh. 12:s11.
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