Not Just a Pharisee but an Israelite As Well.

When reading the new testament, it really sucks when think a little bit deeper and realize that you are pharisee. When reading the old testament, I think "Man, those Israelites are really stupid", only to realize that I am an Israelite.

1 Kings 12:1-24
In summary: Solomon dies and his son, Rehoboam takes over as king. The people presents a request to Rehoboam that he might lighten the harsh labor placed upon them. Rehoboam consults the elders and rejects their advice to serve the people. He consults his contemporaries and decides that their advice is best. Instead of serving the people, he oppresses the people. The people complain and drive him out of town and elect Jeroboam as the next king.

A few points
+Rehoboam is a clear fool. Unlike David and Solomon, he did not take any of this up to God prior to consulting people. He did not pray or plead with the Lord for guidance. The wisdom of man is the Lord's foolishness.

+Granted, the Lord doesn't always come down and smack us over the forehead with answers but speaks through people. Well, Rehoboam rejected them as well when he listened to his peers instead of the elders.

+Rehoboam was self-seeking. Instead of doing what was best for his people, he did what was best for himself. As leaders, especially in ministry, our needs and desires come after God's. To fast forward, this is essentially the life and ministry of Christ: placing our best interest above His own and serving us in love, providing a way to eternity with the Father. We are called to imitate Christ so in the same way, our community's needs ought to be of higher priority than our self-interest.

+When the Israelites cried out, it was to David, pleading for him to protect his own house. Their unity was found in David, a mere human. As Christians, we need to avoid this sense of association and unity under a certain leader. Our allegiance should not with any person or thing on this earth but under God himself.

+This is exactly what God promised Solomon back in 1 Kings 11. As Solomon did not keep his covenant with the Lord, the Lord said that he would tear the kingdom out Solomon's son's hands. We often forget that God is not only loving but also just. While we are not ultimately condemned for our actions, there are consequences.

I note all of these things with a bit of a cringe. I was so quick to say "Man, stupid Israelites". But man, I'm guilty of almost all of these things.