Chapter 12 of 1 Kings marks a decisive turning point in the nation of Israel. For 120 years Saul, David and Solomon had consolidated power, expanded borders and built a strong government. But immediately after Solomon's death everything began to unravel. Simmering hostility in the north boiled over at last, and the northern tribes seceded to form their own nation.
Ten tribes joined under Jeroboam to form a nation in the north called Israel. Only two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, remained loyal to Solomon's heir in Jerusalem. These southerners took on the name Judah and made Jerusalem, home of the temple, their capital. From that time forward, the united nation of Israel ceased to exist.
Ironically, the northern tribes seceded as part of a reform movement, to correct some of the excesses of Solomon's reign. But starting with the first king, Jeroboam, no king of Israel did what was right in God's eyes. The two books of Kings condemn all the northern kings, who brought idolatry into their religion and corruption into their politics. Conversely, Judah proved more faithful to God, producing at least a handful of good kings. The temple remained a powerful symbol for worship to the true God. And every few generations a sincere, committed king arose to sweep away his predecessors' dangerous practices.
Within 250 years the northern kingdom, Israel, was obliterated. Judah survived another 135 years before likewise falling to foreign invaders. In a sense, its fate was sealed from the time of the original secession. The prophet Isaiah would remember the schism as the worst disaster that had befallen his people. (Isaiah 7:17)
Life Question: Have you seen rebellion lead to "civil war" in families? Churches? Schools? When you don't like what the leaders are doing, are there alternatives to outright rebellion?
I think that at least on the "family" level, outright rebellion is usually just foolishness. Even with these Old Testament kings, one has to wonder why they never bothered to consult their contemporaries in regards to worship and leadership. Too often, one's stubbornness and excessive pride serves as a roadblock to God's will. Communication and prudence are the keys to "keeping the peace", and many families have been broken because of selfish individuals who impose their will on others...a will that is not God's.
1 comment:
The key phrase is the leaders did what was right in their own eyes. They went their own way apart from God's way. The source of all sin is selfishness which breaks the rule of love. Jesus simplified the heart of our actions : Is this action loving God? Is this action loving people made in His image? Or: Is this like the selfish act that separated us from God in the Garden? There is no way that we can control the actions of our leaders completely but we do have the choice in our own life to do what is right in God's eyes.
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