Bradley Horn
4.6.2020
1 Kings 12-16
Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility. – Sigmund Freud
1 kings 12:4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”
Why? The Israelites were seeking for a way out by looking for a king that would tell them what they want to hear. In the past readings the Israelites complained a lot about how they were ruled like in 1 sam 8:6 when they said to Samual, “Give us a king to lead us.” Also another example is in Exodus 17:2 we remember from our reading that they quarreled w/ Moses about giving them water when they were stranded in the desert. The last example would be in Exod. 14:12 they would rather be held captive and enslaved with food and shelter rather than being free from the Egyptians.
My vision changed after this read while I noticed that the other kings did not seek advise and counsel like Rehoboam did. After the Israelites asked for lighter work from Rehoboam. he told them to go away for three days. Then Rehoboam CONSULTED with the elders about what his response should be. Then after advice was given Rehoboam took the advice from younger individuals that grew up with him. Then after reading throughout the rest of the chapters, it was sad to see how sin can just wreck so much with so much responsibility given at hand and not being led by God himself.
For this part of our reading it was really easy to dismiss how can this apply to myself. After reading through it, it wasn’t so hard and God made it clear how to make it applicable to my everyday life. “The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You cant blow an uncertain trumpet.” – Theodore M. Hesburgh
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors. Proverbs 11:14 Seeing that Jeroboam and the other kings that followed did what was right in their eyes, but never sought counsel. They set up Asherah poles and shrines that took the place of God.
I think to myself do I seek advice like I should or do I seek advice from those that my itching ear wants to hear. (2 Tim 4:3) Do I have shrines and Asherah poles in my life that can pull me away and my focus from God. things that I worship instead of the creator?
The next action step would be seeking more advice and getting more counsel on what’s going on in my life and big life altering decisions.
I saw Jesus in the situation between the man of God being killed by the Lion. In a sense that it was trying to convey a strong message to Jeroboam to change his ways and to stop steering God people in the wrong direction. It was very strong point and notion.
2020 Bible Vision 