Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1947-05-03

shall bring him low; but he that is of
Iowly spirit shall obtain honor.-Proverps
1928.
HE did evil, because he pre-
pared not his heart to seek the
Lord''-this is the divine epitome
of the life of Rehoboam the king as
given in II Chronicles 1914.
The destiny of the people hinged
on the choices of their ruler, so they
went down into confusion and sin
because Of his bad leadership.
Here we have magnifed anew the
great importance of making right
decisions for ourselves and for their
influence on others.
Life is full of choices, and the
decisions we make determine our
destiny both in this life and in the
life to come. Since the great issues
of our life may hinge on the SIM
plest Of choices, it is obvious that
we need guidance at every point
and in every moment of life.
The picture before us is astonlsh-
ingly up to date. People were cry
ing for relief from tax burdens. One
group of leaders counseled ,modera-
ton: another group said in effect,
tax them all you can and keep on
spending. The king, who in a mon
archy had the final decree in his
power, replied to the plea OF the
people with sarcastic Indifference
to their need, and the ten tribes
revo1ted.
/. A Friendly Request wv. l-5).
Governments exist for the people,
no. the people for the government.
Political leaders seem to forget this
axiom and begin to rule as though
they need not listen to the reason
able pleas of the people. Tax bur-
dens rise, augmentation OF the life
of the nation takes place, and
sooner or later the people rise to
overthrow the government. 1t hap
pened in Rome; it was back OF the
French Revolution; it brought an
uprising of the serfs of Russia; it
can and will happen elsewhere II
men who rule do not listen to
reason.
Rehoboam made at least one
wise deoision-to wait three days
before speaking and to seek coun-
sell He needed this, for having been
brought up in the palace of Solomon
without proper training for his
place as king, he was quite unable
to make immediate answer to their
request. Incidentally, we note that
much of the folly of Rehoboam is
chargeable to the neglect of his
father to rear him properly. May
that terrible thing never be said
about you and me regarding our
children.
III. An Arrogant Refusal (vv. r.
80.
The picture of the two groups Of
advisers is a most graphic one and
should afford the teacher an excel
lent opportunity to show young
people especially, How important it
is to heed the counsel Of their
elders. Even so, youth stands today
at the fork of the road. Let us in all
kindness, love, and tact seek to help
them choose the right way.
Note the arrogance and pride of
the young men and their king. They
were not content to make simple
denial of the request. They did not
have sense enough to temper the
bitter disappointment of the people
by an expression of regret. No. they
had to use the foolish whip of caus-
tic words and harsh Judgments
what follyl Let us learn needed
lesson from their failure.
iii. The Inevitable Revolt (vv.
10, 2W.
There is a limit to what men and
women can bear-an end to their
patience and their loyalty.
People, long submissive, ulti-
mateIy come to the point where
they think, and when they do, dicta-
torial rulers tumble from their self
made thrones. Would that the
people Of the earth realized the
power which they have and that
they would use it for the glory Of
God.
Rehoboam felt the power Of the
people who revolted, others have
followed him, for 1t is still true in
the world that the rulers do evil"
because "they prepare not their
hearts to seek the Lord"
Rehoboam, who had awaited the
arrival Of this crucial hour In antici-
patton of taking his place az the
king Of the ten tribes, was ready,
and was at once chosen as the
leader of those who withdrew from
the rule Of the house Of David.
Rehoboarn's sin brought this about,
but it was also In the counsels OF
God (v.15).
Is it not comforting thought to
recall that back of the confusion
which men have created IN their
efforts to rule the world, God stands
in the shadows watching. watching
and waiting for that day when the
Prince of Peace, his Son and our
Savious. is to come as King of kings
and Lord Of lords to reign forever