KING REHOBOAM

2 CHRONICLES 10:8-11
“ ....... my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with bullwhips!”
Rehoboam suceeded King Solomon.. But Solomon left a legacy of slavery and expensive building programmes. After Solomon died, there was an uprising among the people. Jeroboam, an old rival of King Solomon returned from Egypt and took advantage of the conflict, demanded that he get rid of the old policy. Rehoboam was in a political fix. If he gave in, it may also be seen as a sign of political weakness.He refused to budge.The situation worsened. And they stoned the tax collector Hadoram to death C10 v 18. His ego dented, he immediately assembled his troops for war but  Shemaiah a prophet refrains him.

Jeroboam  was  discerning enough to know that it was the people's faith and rituals that united them as a nation. Riding on their disillusionment, he started his own religion. The rituals were all the same, burning incense, the priests-everything was faimilar- except that he erected 2 calf idols which he had seen in Egypt. He succeeded in planting the tares among the wheat.

In life  we are faced with an infinitely variety of changing circumstances. Nothing lasts forever.Its foolish to assume that everything will stay the same way forever for anyone.Yesterdays friendship sours and  new situations emerge.Just when we settle in, somebody rocks the boat.Remember this. If we rub people the wrong way- even the eloquence of  Socrates cannot save the day.

Once your words are out, there is no way of recalling them even if you deeply  regret it afterwards.There are times when it may not be in your best interests to speak your mind. Learn the lesson from Rehoboam, or pay the price. Vijay