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Royalty and Ruin
The Aftereffects of Rehoboam’s Apostasy
But as the nation prospered once more, many turned again to
idol worship. Among these was King Rehoboam himself. Forgetting
the lesson that God had tried to teach him, he fell back into the sins
that had brought judgments on the nation. After a few inglorious
years, “Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City
of David. Then Abijah his son reigned in his place.”
Verse 16
.
At times during the centuries that followed, men of moral worth
occupied the throne of David. Under their rulership the blessings
resting on Judah extended to the surrounding nations. But no one
ever entirely uprooted the seeds of evil already springing up when
Rehoboam ascended the throne, and at times the once-favored people
of God were to fall so low as to become a symbol of scorn among
the heathen.
Despite these idol-worshiping practices, God in mercy would do
everything in His power to save the divided kingdom from complete
ruin. And as the years rolled on and His plan for Israel seemed
entirely defeated by people inspired by satanic agencies, He still
showed His gracious intentions through the captivity and restoration
of the chosen nation.
The tearing apart of the kingdom was only the beginning of a
wonderful history that reveals the long-suffering and tender mercy
of God. And the worshipers of idols, in the end, were to learn the
lesson that false gods are powerless to uplift and save. Only in
loyalty to the living God can anyone find rest and peace.
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