Jesus's Family Tree (part 4)

Matthew 1:7

Can you imagine making a decision that the consequences would last for 473 years? I know, that is a very specific number, but I used that number for a reason. In some ways, the consequences I am speaking of have lasted for almost 3,000 years. All it took was one foolish decision, one statement of pride, and a nation was never the same. But then, 246 years ago we handed England a piece of paper with some signatures on it, and this continent has never been the same. A country was born, and a lot of people have died to defend it. All because some men made a decision that had consequences they never could have imagined.

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Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa.

Matthew 1:7

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Rehoboam, the son of the wisest man that has ever lived (besides Jesus of course), was the complete opposite. Solomon wrote the Proverbs and they are addressed to Rehoboam. In Proverbs 1, the first seven verses are an introduction of sorts. Then, in verse 8 Solomon wrote, "My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother". It was to be instruction to Rehoboam (as well as to us) on how he should conduct himself to live a life of wisdom. It would seem that Rehoboam did not make it past the introduction.

I can just imagine Rehoboam being handed a copy of Proverbs by a servant. The servant looks at Rehoboam and says, "Here this is from your father. He wants you to read it." Rehoboam takes the book, opens it up, and begins reading it. Then he says, "Ugh! This is more of his senseless ranting. Honestly, I do not know when he has time to make this stuff up with all of his wives he must tend to". Then Rehoboam tosses it onto a table where he forgets about it.

When Rehoboam became king, the people came to him with a request. Solomon had worked them and taxed them greatly because of all the infrastructure improvements he made. Now, the people were exhausted and asked for some relief. Rehoboam said he would get back to them with an answer. Then he talked to the elders. They said that he should listen to the people and grant their request. Then he talked to his friends. Their advice was the opposite. "You need to show them who's boss. Tell them that you are going to be so much tougher than your father. You are going to make him seem like a child. Go ahead and let them know that you are in charge. They don't tell you what to do. You are the king."

Rehoboam listened to his friends. The people responded by saying, "We are not related to David and have no loyalties to him. Everyone return to your homes. We will choose our own king. That is exactly what they did. They picked a man by the name of Jeroboam to be their king, and with that the nation of Israel was divided into Israel in the north (10 tribes) and Judah to the south (2 tribes). The nation would never return to its former glory. It would take 473 years before the north and south would be reunited, but they would remain under an occupying force. Even then, there would always be Samaritans in the land.

I said that Rehoboam's decision had consequences that have lasted for almost 3,000 years. I say that because even today there are gentiles in the land. They still have to share the land with outsiders. Rehoboam's decision changed the nation forever, and it will only be completely rectified when Jesus rules from the throne of David in the millennium.

Father, many times we make rash decisions that have unintended consequences. Some of those consequences can be extremely long lasting. I pray that You redeem our mistakes for Your glory. Also, I pray that we learn from our mistakes and consequences. May we seek You for wisdom.