'Chariots of Israel'

'A Stubborn and Rebellious People'

"El Roi" The God Who Sees

*Proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."

If you have ever climbed to the top of the Great Smokey Mountains the view is spectacular. When you first arrive in the area the mountain range seems to appear carpeted in a dark green. At a distance each tree looks as though it is covered with green from top to bottom. A closer look reveals that each branch, each stem, and even the trunk is covered in thick, green moss.

The area itself is absolutely breath taking and, unless you have experienced it, you cannot fathom the sense of serenity that envelopes it. The path through the trees leads you to a lookout tower whose steps are built into the mountain itself. A long suspension bridge brings you to the top of it's highest peak. From there you can look out over the mountain range until the clouds begin to roll in. And, for some reason, the phrase "you can't see the forest for the trees" comes to mind.

The course of our lives often leads us into positions such as this. We arrive at the height of what we believe is our ultimate goal but the forest becomes obscure compared to the trees. This is the way we tend to approach problems when they arise. When the clouds begin to roll in we address the problem, find a quick solution, and then, in our own wisdom, try to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. We address the problem never seeing the ultimate outcome. Never realizing that further on down the road our solution can often cause greater problems then the one that occurred years in the past. Unless you are standing on the other side of the mountain you really "can't see the forest for the trees."

After the death of Solomon all Israel went to Shechem to make Rehoboam, his son, king. Now they sent and called for Jeroboam the son of Nebat who was in Egypt hiding from the presence of Solomon. So Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam saying, "Your father made our yoke grievous; therefore, make it lighter and we will serve you." Rehoboam asked them to give him three days to consider their request.

Rehoboam consulted with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father and said, "How do you advise me to answer the people?" They spoke to him saying, "If you will be a servant to the people this day and answer them with good words, then they will be your servants for ever." But the king did not accept the counsel of the old men and consulted with the young men who he had grown up with. They answered him, saying, "Tell them, 'My father made your yoke heavy but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips but I will chastise you with scorpions'."

When Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam on the third day the king disregarded the counsel of the old men and answered the people according to the young men's counsel. He refused to listen to the people. So the people answered the king saying, "What portion do we have in David? Neither do we have an inheritance in the son of Jesse. Go to your tents Israel and see to your own house David." So Israel departed into their tents. When king Rehoboam sent Adoram to collect their tribute all Israel stoned him with stones. Therefore king Rehoboam quickly left for Jerusalem in his chariot.

When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned from Egypt they sent for him and made him king over all Israel. When Rehoboam returned to Jerusalem he assembled all the house of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin to fight against the house of Israel. But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, "Speak to Rehoboam and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin saying, "Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up nor fight against your brothers the children of Israel. Everyone return to your house because this is My doing." Therefore they listened to the word of the LORD and returned to their homes. Now this all happened according to the word of the Lord spoken by Ahijah to Jeroboam. The nation would be divided and ten tribes would be given to him to rule over. So Israel rebelled against the house of David but as for the children of Israel which were in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

Often quick solutions lead us into areas of remorse. Words like "why didn't I see," "why didn't I understand," and "why didn't I listen" can become resounding echoes that can weigh heavy on our hearts. The word of God tells us in I Samuel 15:23, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."

Rebellion and stubbornness are not subject to age groups. When we are having difficulties with a stubborn or rebellious child the solution often seems simple but when it is an older child or adult, quick responses are not easy solutions. Tempers flare and words that should have not been spoken often leave much remorse. In the end, it brings irreconcilable differences that often last, not just weeks, but years.

Knowing and understanding the underlying problem is often hard to see when we don't fully comprehend their reality or how they perceive our solutions. Rebellion and stubbornness can be difficult to recognize. What we perceive as an exercise in freedom can be undercurrents of rebellion. What we believe to be lackadaisical can be stubbornness from a hard heart. And, what we say or do could depend upon their salvation and eternal life.

The old men's words to Rehoboam sounded quite wise compared to the brazen remarks of the young men; however, during those three days of consideration he never once counseled with the One Who sees the beginning from the end. He never once went to the oracle of God and asked for help. He never once spoke to a prophet of God to seek the Lord's divine will and intervention. God only intervened when the matter became out of control because of Rehoboam's own stubbornness and rebellion.

Whenever you are faced with a difficult situation that you don't totally understand, who do you turn to for wisdom? Who do you run to to consult with that might understand and be able to give you the correct advice? There is a God in heaven who sees the end from the beginning of all things. His wisdom is beyond our comprehension. When Solomon was given the throne he went to the Lord asking not for wealth or long life but for wisdom. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him," (*James 1:5).

Whenever we have a problem we can know that there is a God Who knows what we have need of before we ask. He is always available for counsel. His ears are always listening to your pleas. His eyes see your tears. His heart is always tender to your needs. His counsel will always be according to what you have need of at the exact moment you need it. The wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the Lord will give you the grace to arrive at a solution that will bring peace.

Whenever you have a need, whenever a problem arises, whenever you can't see the forest for the trees, take it to the Lord in prayer. He will never, ever counsel you wrong. His wisdom is far greater than any man that ever lived. He can speak peace to the storm and it will subside. He can command the clouds to depart and cause the sun to arise with healing in it wings. He can speak to the mountain and cast it into the sea. He can open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing far beyond what you can imagine. Where there is stubbornness and rebellion in your life or in someone else, He can change hearts. All you have to do is ask the Lord in prayer.

O Roots burrow deep into rich soil that is fertile and filled with all the nourishment that any plant needs to survive. But where the ground is parched and dry, and of little use for cultivation, roots creep to the surface in search of what the plant has need of to nurture it. In any culture where man has rejected the plan of God what ensues leaves little to be gleaned.

*February 12, 2006