Daily EncouragementSample

The reference is to Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, who arrogantly refused to listen to the people’s plea for some relief from “the harsh labour and the heavy yoke” which they had endured during his father’s reign. The result was the break up of the nation and the establishment of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

The Providence of God operates in the most untoward circumstances: “This turn of events was from the Lord.” On the face of it, it was just a case of a foolish young man ignoring the advice of his elders and completely losing his grip on the situation as he repeats the wild words of his contemporaries. We can point at the folly of the king for a superficial explanation of what happened, but we also need to recognize the hand of God in order to gain a full understanding of the event.

The providence of God ensures the fulfilment of his prophetic word: “to fulfil the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam . . . ” “Heaven rules” (Daniel 4:26) and the word of God is fulfilled - not just in the outcome of history, but also in its details.