Scripture: 1st King 12:20-24
When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed the house of David, except the tribe of Judah alone. When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, one hundred eighty thousand chosen troops to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: Say to King Rehoboam of Judah, son of Solomon, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, “Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against your kindred the people of Israel. Let everyone go home, for this thing is from me.” So they heeded the word of the Lord and went home again, according to the word of the Lord.
Thought for the Day: After the death of King Solomon, a division occurred – eventually splitting the 12 Tribes – 10 tribes to the northern Kingdom (Israel, with its capital Samaria) and two tribes to the southern Kingdom (Judah, with its capital Jerusalem). A nation brought together under one King was now breaking apart. The Prophets, including Jeremiah, were calling out the ramifications of this division. So much of the faith became all tangled with bitterness and resentment to those on the other side. Religion became a tool of the political system, and often it was the least among the nations that were forgotten – the poor, widows, orphans and aliens. It was this suffering and injustice that drove the prophets crazy, for the covenant between God and the people emphasized compassion and care. Too often a culture becomes obsessed with its politics and its political enemies, and though there is lots of pontificating about those in need, it is more about show. It is in moments like this that the prophets arise, though most people will ignore their truth-telling.
Prayer: Give us the ears to hear your prophets, O Lord, even those whose messages step squarely upon our toes. Amen.
TODAY BEGINS A SERIES ON
JEREMIAH THE PROPHET
AND MEN
Don’t Forget About The Gathering
Today at 3pm
Mellow Mushrrom
Watching the Game
And Talking About
The Men’s Retreat
