Last chapter, Rehoboam oppresses the people. This chapter; the oppressed (Jeroboam) sets up false gods. Makes sense to me! Not! It is just amazing how our human nature will lead us to do what is not God's will. And... yet, God continues to love His children.
And speaking of children, Rehoboam has a few - 88 of them - including 24 sons. Course, that really not that many when you consider that he had 18 wives and 60 concubines. Rehoboam knows how to manipulate his sons for his own political purposes. He has, as is necessary. chosen one as the heir to the throne. We'll see how that plays out, as he has chosen the eldest son of his favorite wife, not the first-born of his sons. But, he is shrewd in that he provides well for all them and gives them each places of authority in various cities. This probably in hopes that he will be able to satisfy them and keep them from killing each other out of jealousy. It will also ensure that Rehoboam maintains control over the whole region as his own sons watch over the various areas. I'm thinking Rehoboam is a "control freak" and he's pretty good at it. Money and power can really aid in controlling the lives of people around us.
Most of us have much smaller families today - in this country we do not allow for 18 wives. It would be good if these smaller families would be able to interact and genuinely care for each other. However, it still often happens that the whole family will end up being controlled in such a way by the most powerful and manipulative in the family to do their will, to help fulfill their desires, their dreams, and aspirations for their own lives. No one in the family benefits from this. Everyone one ends up a bit more dysfunctional than they would be in the first place, given our human natures.
May God bless families so that they would love and not manipulate and use their loved ones. May He bless this world and all leaders so that they will think first of serving God and others, before themselves.
And speaking of children, Rehoboam has a few - 88 of them - including 24 sons. Course, that really not that many when you consider that he had 18 wives and 60 concubines. Rehoboam knows how to manipulate his sons for his own political purposes. He has, as is necessary. chosen one as the heir to the throne. We'll see how that plays out, as he has chosen the eldest son of his favorite wife, not the first-born of his sons. But, he is shrewd in that he provides well for all them and gives them each places of authority in various cities. This probably in hopes that he will be able to satisfy them and keep them from killing each other out of jealousy. It will also ensure that Rehoboam maintains control over the whole region as his own sons watch over the various areas. I'm thinking Rehoboam is a "control freak" and he's pretty good at it. Money and power can really aid in controlling the lives of people around us.
Most of us have much smaller families today - in this country we do not allow for 18 wives. It would be good if these smaller families would be able to interact and genuinely care for each other. However, it still often happens that the whole family will end up being controlled in such a way by the most powerful and manipulative in the family to do their will, to help fulfill their desires, their dreams, and aspirations for their own lives. No one in the family benefits from this. Everyone one ends up a bit more dysfunctional than they would be in the first place, given our human natures.
May God bless families so that they would love and not manipulate and use their loved ones. May He bless this world and all leaders so that they will think first of serving God and others, before themselves.
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