A Fallen Inheritance

The males in my family all look the same, you can see every feature that’s been passed from generation to generation. It’s a bit like that with the kings. Rehoboam is the product of his father’s weaknesses. Everything that Solomon failed to do in his reign is exacerbated in Rehoboam’s reign. Solomon’s decision to marry foreign women who do not exclusively worship the Lord placed an Ammonite in the powerful position of mother of the king. It is no wonder that under Rehoboam’s reign the worship of the Lord is slowly replaced by other religious practices.

However, it goes further back than just Solomon, it goes right back to Israel’s decisions in the time of Joshua when they failed to drive out idol worship from the land. As a result, we see an undoing of Israel’s release from Egypt as the Pharaoh comes and plunders the temple.

We’ll see this recurring throughout the narrative, the corruption of humanity is passed on from generation to generation. It is unavoidable and inevitable. Israel was no better and no worse than the nations around it. They were only special because they were God’s chosen people. Yet despite this offer, these fallen people could not uphold this covenant.

We also fail to live obediently to the life he calls us to. We allow other gods to come into our life, gods of consumerism, financial security, sexuality and legalism, to name a few. This is why we need Jesus in our lives, strengthening us and guiding us to do the right thing.

Thought Point

What “socially acceptable” sins are present in your life?

Prayer Point

Pour out your praise to God. Ask His forgiveness for the times you don’t give Him the place he deserves in your life.