June 25, Day 32

2 Chronicles 7 - 2 Chronicles 22

In my role at work I attempt to solve problems. To be specific, I attempt to help others solve "Human Performance Problems." Some may say that I'm just a trainer, but I like to think of myself as a problem solver. In order to solve the problem, I often have to diagnose properly. There are a lot of presenting symptoms of the problem but to really solve the problem and get a ahead of it, you must look for the root cause. So today's focus of this posting is centered around the root cause....

Something that has always troubled me as I read this part of the Bible is understanding "good kings" from "bad kings." The books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings have always confused me because you also have two kingdoms to look at (Israel and Judah). Sometimes Israel refers to all the Israelites... sometimes it refers to all the Israelites except those in Judah... and other times it means those in Judah. So for a simple minded guy like myself, this presents a lot of confusion.

In today's reading we have the luxury of only focusing on Judah and the kings of Judah. Well actually it starts earlier than that because we start with Solomon. Who was king of all of Israel before the split. After his death, His son Rehoboam takes the throne. Soon thereafter we see the people revolting and the kingdom of Israel splitting. Since this is what has always confused me, I read and re-read this passage to see what is the "root cause" of the split of Israel?

It is a simple answer to say "fallen man" is the root cause. God's design didn't originally include ruling by kings... but yet this is what the people wanted and they started putting their faith in a king rather than THE KING. However, let's look a little deeper. Rehoboam's fallen state is expressed in some behaviors I can learn from.

When the people questioned him about the taxation they'd been subject to during Solomon's reign and asked him what he'd do about it, he sought counsel. First he consulted the elders who said basically to show some empathy to the people. Secondly he consulted the younger men who'd grown up around him (or his friends). They told them to give a harsh answer to the people. So why did they encourage him to be harsh? Perhaps it was because he was a new leader. As a new leader of people in my workplace, I certainly can identify the need to establish "who is in charge" early as well as the struggle to exercise this establishment judiciously. Perhaps they wanted him to see how far his "title" would get him and of course the king should be in charge. And simply stated, at the end of they day all of these suppositions are rooted in pride. They encouraged him to act in pride... and of course this is what he chose. It even says he "rejected the advice of the elders."

Let's think for a moment. Is it always wise to take the advice of the elders? "They lived in a different time." "They have an outdated view of society." These are common arguments I've heard and even given as someone has encouraged me to consult my elders. Certainly there is some merit to the argument. And so maybe it is not always wise to implement exactly the advice they are giving you.... But perhaps they've seen patterns of things happen in the past as well. Maybe there is some wisdom to their counsel. In this case, they knew if you come down harsh you'll have trouble. But if you give them the answer they are looking for (maybe just a little empathy) they will be your servants for life. Of course this would require laying down a little bit of their pride.

We'll we know what Rehoboam chose. He chose to tell them if they thought Solomon was rough, then they would think he was even rougher. And the rest as they say "is history." The people revolted, Israel was divided and Rehoboam's dominion was reduced. Jeroboam was chosen king of Israel and 2 Chron 10:19 says "Israel has been in rebellion to the house of David to this day." 2 Chron 12:15 says "there was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam." Not only were God's people divided, they was in conflict with one another.

So what is the root cause of this division? Fallen Man? We'll sort of... but that sounds like victim language to me. "We can't help it we were created sinful." I think the root cause was pride. Pride in realizing the counsel of elders may have some merit. And foolishness to think the decision was an "either or" decision. I think Rehoboam thought he had to either take the side of his elders OR the side of his friends. Rather than looking at a win/win solution. Could he not have chosen to pursue the path of unity and ask them to create a plan together on how to answer and take advantage of each of their viewpoints?

As a leader today... it is easy for me to identify with Rehoboam... and to learn from Him. I am a leader in my home, my workplace, and my community there are always conflicting points of view. My pride often gets in the way and I just want to make the decision based on what is going to "make me look good" in the eyes of those I'm leading. Sometimes I even struggle because I want to assert my dominance. (That's easy when your kids are toddlers... but probably won't work so well when my son gets to be a young man.) The kingdom was divided then and it will always be divided when pride gets in the way. Just look at what has happened over the course of time to the Church. Where did all the denominations come from? Pride.

However, God's word always provides solace as well. The solution is always there. God is the solution. Specifically in today's reading I draw my hope from watching the reform in Judah that Asa instituted. 2Chronicles 15:15 records... "They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side."

Oh Lord, Thank you for pointing out the root cause of division and strife. Help me lay my pride down and make decisions that unify rather than divide. Help me seek you eagerly so that I might find you. So that you might grant me rest on every side as well."