by Gary Kneezel

The people of Israel seemed to have a reasonable request for Rehoboam – a request that might appeal to those who recall the American colonies’ revolution in 1776 against England. They felt oppressed by the heavy burden of taxation and forced labor that King Solomon had imposed on them. Now that Solomon was dead, they sought more fair treatment from his son. Jeroboam, having recently returned from exile, was the spokesman. If Rehoboam would just lighten the load, the people of Israel would serve him. Rehoboam took a course of action that seemed reasonable at first. (Give me a few days to think about it.) He then asked advice from those who had served Solomon. They wisely advised him to lighten up and be a leader who served his people. He then asked advice from his buddies. Maybe they were sensing what Rehoboam felt entitled to do anyway. Maybe they wanted to build their own standing with him by telling him to take a position that would leave no doubt about who was in charge (certainly not that Jeroboam guy!). In any case, they advised him to tell the people that their treatment under his father was easy. He would really make it tough for them. (After all, they needed to be put in their place for trying to negotiate with a king!) The One whom Rehoboam apparently neglected to consult about what he should do was God. Instead he went with his buddies’ advice. The Israelites replied, in essence, “We’re outta here. You can be king in your own backyard, but count us out.” Rehoboam sent out Adoniram (who had been in charge of forced labor since the latter part of David’s reign) to deal with the people. Instead, they stoned him. Rehoboam escaped and made it back to Jerusalem.

Did you know that Rehoboam is in Matthew’s genealogy for Jesus (Matthew 1:7)? Jesus, having far more entitlement to be served than Rehoboam did, said in Matthew 20:25-28 that He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. He told His disciples in that passage that they should not lord their status over other people, but serve the people. Whatever position of authority that I have, whether as a parent or grandparent, or a supervisor, or a church leader, or whatever else, how do I view my position? Does it entitle me to benefit at the expense of others? Do I try to make myself look more important by bossing people around? Do I assume that whatever I propose to do is correct? Do I take advice from those who would seek to flatter me, or do I listen to those who might have different perspectives? Do I seek to build others up? Do I put their needs ahead of my own? Do I listen to requests for fair treatment? Do I ask God for wisdom for leading wisely?

A fellow traveler,
Gary