Advent Journey - Following the Seed From Eden to Bethlehem Sampel

Day 17

CHUTES AND LADDERS

Rehoboam (35)

If you’re as old as me, you’ve likely heard of the Milton Bradley board game called Chutes and Ladders. (Kids still play the game today!) A series of dutiful, steady-plodding upward moves toward the top of the board could be mostly undone by a single, massive slide – nearly all the way to the bottom.  

This rise and fall describes the history of Israel. 

Centuries of forward progress (for Israel) were reversed in a single generation. From Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob… and all the way to King Solomon – was fifteen generations of fathers in the line of the Seed. The era covered roughly one thousand years. 

Aside from a few hiccups in the journey, everything seemed to be working for the Seed. 

During this millennial season, the Seed departed from Ur and settled in Canaan (Abram), journeyed to Egypt to escape famine (Jacob), escaped from slavery back out of Egypt (led by Moses), entered the Promised Land (led by Joshua). 

Along the way the Seed went from a small family, to a large family, to a collection of tribes, to a mighty nation. As the Seed attained kingdom status, it achieved military dominance (David) and ultimately world-renowned wealth and prosperity (Solomon).  

Next the Seed began a new trajectory - back to the bottom.  

Just one man (King Solomon) triggered its downfall. God made the eventual downfall certain during Rehoboam’s reign. Rehoboam was Solomon’s son – and next in the line of the Seed. 

Here’s how the kingdom collapse unfolded (see 1 Kings 11).

1.  God told Solomon his kingdom would be torn apart.

2.  God would do so during Rehoboam’s reign.

3.  God affirmed His covenant with David (the forever kingdom) and promised to leave one tribe with Rehoboam.

Any idea which tribe would stay with Solomon and Rehoboam’s seed? Answer: Judah!

God always has a plan to keep the Seed alive, right? As God predicted to Solomon, the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms: the ten northern tribes (called “Israel” in Samaria) and two southern tribes (called “Judah” in Jerusalem).

[Note: the tribe of Benjamin stayed with Judah.]

So what’s going on?

God is executing the terms of His promise: If you don’t obey, you will suffer judgment. To carry out the Seed strategy, God preserved the tribe of Judah. And Judah possessed Jerusalem… and yes, Bethlehem!

Reflections:

If you’re a parent who remembers the game, Chutes and Ladders, draw a visual for the kids of the “Up-up-up-down all the way” slide action (stair-step up and dramatic slide down).

Talk about what it was really like for Israel to grow from a single family (Abraham) to a massive kingdom – only to be taken captive and exiled to a foreign land.