Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14
1 Kings 12:1-20
2 Chronicles 10:1-19
1 Kings 12:21-24
2 Chronicles 11:1-4
1 Kings 12:25-33
2 Chronicles 11:5-17
We concluded the book of Ecclesiastes. After all of Solomon’s searching for the meaning
of life, he ended up with a simple truth and some good advice. “It’s a
wonderful thing to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want
to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for
everything you do... My final conclusion is to fear God and obey His commands, for that is the
duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every
secret thing...” (11:9; 12:13, 14).
After finishing Ecclesiastes, we read what happened after Solomon’s death. Remember, because of
his worship of idols, the Lord promised to tear his kingdom apart (1 Kings 11:11, 12). This prophecy
was fulfilled immediately when Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, took over. Instead of
listening to the people and relieving their burden, he swore to increase their
work and taxes. As a result, the people rebelled against him and crowned
Jeroboam as king instead. Thus, we have the beginning of the Divided Kingdom,
with ten tribes comprising the nation of Israel in the north (under Jeroboam)
and two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) comprising the nation of Judah in the south
(under Rehoboam).
Neither king steered the people in the right direction. In fact,
Jeroboam immediately led the people into gross idolatry, abandoning the sacrificial
system at the Temple in Jerusalem and, instead, setting up golden calves in
Bethel and instituting a new priesthood, new festivals, and new sacrifices.
Thus, Jeroboam and the people had desecrated a place that was sacred to their
forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Of course, this huge rift in the nation, particularly in regards to
the pagan worship of idols, forced the people to make a decision of where they
would go and whom they would support.
“The Levites abandoned their homes and property and moved to Judah and
Jerusalem. From all over Israel, those who sincerely wanted to worship the
Lord, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem, where they could
offer sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their ancestors” (2 Chronicles 11:14-17).
Daily Reflection
To divide and conquer has been one of Sa- tan’s most
effective strategies against God’s people since the beginning. Remember Cain and
Abel, Abraham and Lot, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, the rebellion
against Moses during the Exodus, and Saul and David. What about the history of
Christians since Bible times. What are some ways that Satan has effectively
divided them?
Why is the strategy of dividing to conquer so effective?
How can God’s people prevent further division and quarreling? How can
God use you?
BiAY.org | Day 159 — 206 Days to Go
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