Many are familiar with the rebellion of Jeroboam, leading to the division of Israel shortly after Rehoboam, son of Solomon took the throne. The events leading to the division of God’s people is recorded in 2 Chronicles 10. But, God alluded to these events in a conversation with Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:31, when the prophet Ahijah delivered God’s message, “And he said to Jeroboam, ‘Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you.”’”
Though Rehoboam played his own part in losing the northern tribes to Jeroboam, he reacted in a predictable manner to the rebellion. 2 Chronicles 11 relates Rehoboam’s assembly of an army of 180,000 chosen warriors to go and fight against Jeroboam and the rebellious tribes, “that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam” (2 Chronicles 11:1).
When the sovereignty of any nation is threatened, whether by insurrection or an external enemy, the typical response is to go to war. To fight to regain what once was held. It isn’t surprising that Rehoboam sought to do this as well.
“But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3 ‘Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 “Thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not go up or fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.’”’” (2 Chronicles 11:2-4).
He prepared for battle, but didn’t go to war. Why? Because His God said, “this thing is from Me.” By that God meant that He was the reason Jeroboam had control over the northern tribes. God was the reason the kingdom divided. Why did He do such a thing? Because Solomon had displeased Him. “Because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David” (1 Kings 11:33).
There is no indication that Rehoboam knew why God had done what He had done. On the surface, the events were a rebellion caused by Rehoboam’s harsh words to Jeroboam and the people, recorded in 2 Chronicles 10:13-14). There is little doubt that Rehoboam felt he was in the right in seeking to quell the insurrection of Jeroboam. However, despite not knowing the “why”, he listened to and heeded God’s word on the matter.
What a lesson for us. Too often men are willful in their expression of faith. Like the Jews of old, “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness” they “have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3).
Why do denominations exist? Because men want it that way. Why are human institutions supported out of the church treasury? Because men want it that way. Why are there worship innovations in just about every church? Because men want it that way. Why do some who call themselves Christians fellowship ungodliness and sin? Because men want it that way. Drunkenness, fornication, homosexuality, abortion, hatred, anger, and the tolerance of all types of evil are found among those who claim faith in Jesus. Why? Because men want it that way.
Men need to stop all this, and look to the scriptures for guidance. Why? Because “this thing is from [God].”
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