Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1947-05-02

MEMORY SELEC1lON-A man pflds
shall bring him low: but he that Is OF
llowly spirit shall obtain honor, --Proverbs
'49:23.
He did evil, because he pre-
pared not his heart to seek thu
lLord"-this is the divine epitom'
Of the life Of Rehoboam the king al
given in II Chronicles 1914.
The destiny Of the people hinged
on the choices of their ruler, so they
went down into confusion and sir
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. II is obvious that
We need guidance at every point
and In every moment Of life.
The picture before us is astonish-
ingly up to date. People were cry
ihg 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
revolted.
I. A Friendly Request wv. 1-5),
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; II was back Of the
French Revolution; II brought an
uprising of the serfs of Russia; II
can and win happen elsewhere II
men who rule do not listen to
reason.
Nehoboam made at least one
wise decision-to wait three days
before speaking and to seek coun.
eel. He needed this, for having been
brought up In the palace Of Solomon
without proper training for his
place a. king, he was quite unable
10 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.
II. An Arrogant Refusal wv. IL.
u0. !
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 10 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 10 make a 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.
&c words and harsh judgments
what folly Let us learn a needed
lesson from their failure.
Ill. The Inevitable Revolt wv
10. 20). -
There is limit TO what men and
women can bear-an end 70 their
patience and their loyalty.
People, long submissive. ulu.
mately come to the point where
they think. and when they do. dlcta.
torial rulers tumble from their self.
made thrones Would that the
people Of the earth realized the
power which they have and tina,
they would use Il for the glory Of
God.
L Rehoboam felt the power Of the
people who revolted, others have
followed him. for II 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 q this crucial hour 10 aniicL
patton Of taking his place as the
king Of the ten tribes was ready
and was at once chosen as DE
leader Of those who withdrew frgr
the rule Of the house Of David
Rehoboam's sin brough, this about
but 1t was also In the couaac. al
God tv.l5l
Is 1t not comforting bought DO
recall that back Of the coiffor
which men have created ln their
efforts 10 rule the world. God stands
1n the shadows watching watchr.
and waiting for that day when UN,
Rince Of Peace, his Son and on