The Ground is Cultivated

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-5

Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, he was living in Egypt (for he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon). Then they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, "Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you." Then he said to them, "Depart for three days, then return to me." So the people departed.

Insights:   Throughout this week I am going to use farming imagery.  I am discussing the biblical pattern of sowing and reaping.  Having stated this premise notice with me today’s verses.  They are the scene which is setting everything that we are going to be looking at this week into motion.  Using that farming imagery, today’s verses are the same as getting the ground cultivated for planting seed.  Here is a brief bit of background to help us understand the soil of this particular field.  David was a man after God’s own heart, but he was not the best family man.  Solomon, his son and heir, was less devoted to the Lord and began to worship Baal.  He had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  His family life was far less desirable from that of his father’s poor example.  Now comes Solomon’s son and heir, Rehoboam and he is even less desirable than Solomon.  My point is that the ground in which Rehoboam is about to plant his seed would be considered rocky at best.  Every decision made by David, Solomon and even Rehoboam have led up to this moment in time.  Each has helped establish a precedent.  Now, the beautiful thing about choices is no matter what our past we don’t have to make the decision that we are predisposed to make.  Through the power of Christ Jesus we are capable of saying, “No, I will not follow the dead end pattern of my past, but rather will choose to follow Jesus.”  Now it is true that all those previous decision will be bearing down on us and telling us we have no choice but to follow our past and it is very difficult to break that pattern, but it is possible in Jesus.  The scene or ground is now set and cultivated for Rehoboam.  This week we will observe his choices.

Questions:

1. What circumstances are surrounding your life presently which is setting up your scene of choice?
2. Have you evaluated how your past decisions have led you to this present situation?

Prayer: Father, life is a series of choices which continue to progress to a specific end.  Help me to understand the importance of every decision I make in my life and grant me the wisdom to make wise choices.  Amen.