The Heavy Yoke of Rehoboam

 

And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. (1 Kings 12:16-19 ESV).

 

When King David died, his son Solomon became the next king. He had an excellent start, but Solomon later turned away from God. His actions angered the Lord (see 1 Kings 2-11). When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam was crowned as king. The coronation was interrupted by Jeroboam, who pleaded with Rehoboam to lighten the crushing taxes that Solomon had put in place. Rehoboam consulted with the elders. They advised him to serve the people by lowering the taxes. But Rehoboam refused. Instead, he decided to increase the burdensome taxes. The result was rebellion, division, and sin in the kingdom.

 

Philippians 2 describes Jesus’ attitude and actions when he came to be our Savior and King. It tells us that although Jesus was one with God, he humbled himself by becoming a human being like us. And he willingly served by giving his life on a cross to save us from sin and death. Therefore, God raised him not only from death but also to rule in heaven, promising that every knee will bow before our servant King and confess him as Lord.

 

There are many different kinds of “yokes.” However, they all fall into two categories: hard and easy. Many of us feel the weight of a hard yoke that may have been placed on us by the consequence of our decisions or the actions of others. Either way, that hard yoke can be eased. Jesus calls, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). If you need some of that rest this Christmas season, concentrate on the gift won for us in the coming of Jesus to save us. Open His gift of grace and love and be free!