…when they listen to Our Father in heaven.

This turn of events was the will of the LORD, for it fulfilled the LORD's message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh. (1 Kings 12:15 NLT)

I struggled through these passages and points this week, because I know so many people who have lived through wildly different experiences with their fathers.  Some have had great experiences, so it is easy for them to think about Our Father in heaven as a great Father.  Others, however, have had bad experiences.  For them, a heavenly Father ends up looking like all the bad qualities of their earthy father.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

When Jesus taught us to think of God as Father, however, there were no bad connotations at all.  Our Father in heaven does love us, want what’s best for us, and teaches us well.  Our Father in heaven points us toward a walk together with God that is beautiful and fulfilling.  When we are good fathers here on earth, then, we are simply following the example of Our Father in heaven.  We are essentially saying to our children the same thing that the Apostle Paul said to the church in Corinth:

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1 NIV)

How about you?  Did you have an earthly father who was a bad example or one that was a good example.  Did you have a father who listened to Our Father in heaven?

Fathers love their children…

When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, "Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own house, O David!" So the people of Israel returned home. (1 Kings 12:16 NLT)

Solomon would have known how to respond to the Israelites.  Solomon’s advisers knew how to respond to the Israelites.  Solomon’s son, however, listened to other advisors.  He didn’t trust his father’s advisors.  So, the kingdom of Israel will be torn apart.

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! [Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you.] Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NLT)

Sometimes great pain and agony can be avoided by simply listening to our fathers.  Even imperfect fathers love their children.  More than that, though, we would experience a Garden Walk if we would simply listen to Our Heavenly Father.  Then, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, we would enjoy walking together with God.

When the people of Israel learned of Jeroboam's return from Egypt, they called an assembly and made him king over all Israel. So only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the family of David. (1 Kings 12:20 NLT)

Jeroboam was called by The LORD to lead the northern tribes of Israel.  He has the opportunity to walk together with God because Our Father loves him.  Rehoboam was given the southern kingdom because The LORD loves his grandfather David, his father Solomon, and, of course, Rehoboam himself.  So, the kingdom is not completely torn away.

But Rehoboam continued to rule over the Israelites who lived in the towns of Judah. (1 Kings 12:17 NLT)

How about you?  Did you see Godly love from your earthly father?  How did your father show you this Godly love?  Do you see that Our Father in heaven loves you?  How do you see God’s love in your life?

Fathers want what’s best for their children…

Rehoboam had a tough decision to make.  The Israelites were asking him to lower the tax, and other, burdens imposed by his father, Solomon.  Rehoboam consulted his father’s counselors.  Then, Rehoboam consulted his peers. 

Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam's decision, just as the king had ordered. But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, "My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I'm going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!" (1 Kings 12:12-14 NLT)

Rehoboam did not listen to the wisdom of the older counselors.  Had he listened to them, he might not be the reason the kingdom split.  It may have fallen on someone else.  This simple wisdom is similar to the wisdom of being a father.

"Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Luke 11:11-13 NASB)

Good fathers want what is best for their children.  Our Heavenly Father wants what is best for us.

How about you?  Are you a grand/parent?  Do you want what is best for your grand/children?  Did you have a father who wanted what was best for you?  Do you see your heavenly Father wanting what’s best for you?  Do you listen?

Fathers teach their children well.

Rehoboam is the son of Solomon – the wisest man to have ever lived.  Now he has a decision before him that will require all that wisdom.  The people of Israel want their taxes lowered, the burden lightened.  Rehoboam told them to come back in three days and he would have their answer.

Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. "What is your advice?" he asked. "How should I answer these people?" The older counselors replied, "If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects." (1 Kings 12:6-7 NLT)

He begins by turning to the elders of his household.  These were the same people who advised his father.  These were the same people who were in the room when his father made all those wise decisions.  They were also in the room when his father made unwise decisions that would bring about the wrath of God.  They would know the difference.

But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. "What is your advice?" he asked them. "How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?" The young men replied, "This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I'm going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!'" (1 Kings 12:8-11 NLT)

Then he turns to his friends.  These are his peers.  These are the people closest to him that he trusts.  These are also the people with the least training, the least experience, and with no experience next to Solomon.  Now, Rehoboam needs to decide.

The problem with his process is not that he asked different groups for their perspective.  His problem isn’t even that he sides with one group or another.  The problem is that he never asks God.  His father, Solomon, turned to The LORD in these situations and The LORD provided wisdom.  Sometimes, that wisdom didn’t match any of the advisory groups.  That’s why people were amazed at Solomon’s wisdom.  That is why many people who know the name of Solomon do not know the name of Rehoboam.  Rehoboam does not seek wisdom from God.

"But as for you, do not be called 'Rabbi,' because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven. And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, the Messiah. (Matthew 23:8-10 HCSB)

How about you?  Do you see God as your Teacher, Father, and Master (Lord)?  Do you turn to The LORD for wisdom?  Do you receive that wisdom from God?  Does The Father teach you well?

Listen to your Father.

Last week, we learned that the kingdom of Israel would be split up because of Solomon’s disobedience.  He worshipped other gods and, because of that, The LORD promised to rip ten tribes away from Solomon and give them to someone else.

Then [Ahijah] said to Jeroboam, "Take ten of these pieces, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and I will give ten of the tribes to you! (1 Kings 11:31 NLT)

Solomon didn’t like this pronouncement from God and tried to stop it.  Solomon, however, even with all his power and wealth, couldn’t stop The LORD.  For nothing is impossible with God.

Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to King Shishak of Egypt and stayed there until Solomon died. (1 Kings 11:40 NLT)

The LORD’s plan will come to pass, because God is God and we are not.  There will always be people who will follow The LORD.  The LORD will lead them and God’s plan will be accomplished.

Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king. (1 Kings 11:42-43 NLT)

Rehoboam starts out as king over all twelve tribes of Israel.  He had a lifetime to learn from the wisdom of his father, Solomon.  He also had plenty of time to learn what happens when his father goes up against our Father in heaven.  Solomon started out his rule with difficult decisions to make and he asked The LORD for wisdom to make good decisions.  Now it’s Rehoboam’s turn.

Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon. The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel went to speak with Rehoboam. "Your father was a hard master," they said. "Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects." Rehoboam replied, "Give me three days to think this over. Then come back for my answer." So the people went away. (1 Kings 12:1-5 NLT)

How about you?  Do you learn from your earthly father’s wisdom and mistakes?  Do you know how to make good decisions in the midst of tough circumstances? Do you ask The LORD for wisdom to make good decisions?  Do you listen to your Father?