The Torn Kingdom
God gave the entire land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. Of course, they did not take over the land until after the 400 year sojourn in Egypt. Saul failed to obey the Lord, but David was faithful, so God blessed him to conquer the enemies of Israel and usher in a time of peace for the reign of Solomon, his son. God allowed Solomon to build the Temple in Jerusalem. He blessed him abundantly, until he departed from the Lord because of the evil influences of his many foreign wives. Then, God punished Solomon by tearing the kingdom away from his son, all except one tribe, that is. (I Kings 11:11,13) Why did God do it that way? Let's see what we can learn from the torn kingdom.
God gave the son of Solomon one main tribe to rule over and the territory of that tribe which was the tribe of Judah, along with the lesser tribe of Benjamin. He did this for the sake of His servant David. In other words, the faithfulness of David continued to influence God after David had died. God honored him and his memory. That was David's legacy for the coming generations, and because of that legacy of faithfulness, the Lord allowed the southern kingdom of Judah to have a chance to repent and be blessed by God. Also, God tore the kingdom as He did, because He had chosen Jerusalem as His city, the site of His dwelling place the Temple. Therefore, God allowed the son of Solomon to reign over Judah and Jerusalem because of His sovereign choice. He chose to bless Jerusalem and the Temple. He did not want to destroy it, unless He had to. Eventually, God did send the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and the temple. His mercy came to an end, but He had given them every opportunity to do His will, because of David's faithfulness and the city where He placed His name. Perhaps, you can see the blessings of God in your life, because of your godly ancestors or God's choices in your life. Please, do not take His grace and mercy for granted, but live for Him fully and be truly blessed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 12-14.
God gave the son of Solomon one main tribe to rule over and the territory of that tribe which was the tribe of Judah, along with the lesser tribe of Benjamin. He did this for the sake of His servant David. In other words, the faithfulness of David continued to influence God after David had died. God honored him and his memory. That was David's legacy for the coming generations, and because of that legacy of faithfulness, the Lord allowed the southern kingdom of Judah to have a chance to repent and be blessed by God. Also, God tore the kingdom as He did, because He had chosen Jerusalem as His city, the site of His dwelling place the Temple. Therefore, God allowed the son of Solomon to reign over Judah and Jerusalem because of His sovereign choice. He chose to bless Jerusalem and the Temple. He did not want to destroy it, unless He had to. Eventually, God did send the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and the temple. His mercy came to an end, but He had given them every opportunity to do His will, because of David's faithfulness and the city where He placed His name. Perhaps, you can see the blessings of God in your life, because of your godly ancestors or God's choices in your life. Please, do not take His grace and mercy for granted, but live for Him fully and be truly blessed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 12-14.