rehoboam, jeroboam and the war on christmas

With all the talk this time of year about the “war on Christmas” I thought I might give my 2 cents. The governor of Rhode Island won’t call the large pine tree with lights and decorations sitting on the front lawn of the capitol a Christmas tree. Nativity scenes all over the country are being removed and the general ugliness of the season is upon us again by those who feign hurt over the perceived Christmas insult. Many seem confused about just who Santa and Jesus are. Some seem to think they are the same person. I understand about the separation of Church and State, although few it seems, actually understand that it means we, as Americans, have the right to worships Jesus Christ any way we want; That the state cannot tell us which way (to worship Jesus Christ) is the only way. That is, after all, why the Mayflower arrived in America in the first place. These original Americans, devoted followers of Jesus Christ, risked everything this life had to offer, not for freedom from religion, but for the freedom of religion. We all get that, but I don’t understand why are they persecuting Charlie Brown, he doesn’t even have a dog in this race. OK, back to that in a moment.

We all seek to honor and serve God to the best of our ability, right? OK I’m sure we would all agree that we could do better, but in our hearts I bet most of us are secretly convinced that we do pretty well, or at least, better than most. Particularly around the holidays, we start to get a bit melancholy and think about family and friends. Perhaps even allow more time to actually consider God amidst the cacophony of Christmas. Does the Bible have any advice for us? Is there someone who also tried to serve God in the best way he could in the midst of chaotic circumstances? Could they provide a comforting example for us?

I know of just such a man. You may know him also. You will find him recorded in the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles, Hosea, and Amos. He shows up more than 100 times in fact and should be well known to us, but I find most New Testament believers don’t spend as much time as they should in the books recording the roots of our faith. This holiday season let’s take a short walk through some of the Old Testament and see what we can find. I can make one exceptional guarantee, if you read and consider the lessons learned today you will never again look at Christmas the same way.

Our protagonist was a trusted advisor to the king, Solomon, and as such was in regular contact with the king’s son. Oddly, the names of both are similar sounding and as a result, many casual Bible readers believe they were brothers. While they are not actual blood brothers, they did share many things growing up in the same household and like most men sharing the same space, they also disagreed about some things. One of the biggest disagreements was with regard to how to correctly worship the Lord. A situation, unfortunately, many of us are familiar with this time of year, as well. This disagreement became so intractable, the two decided it would be best if they separated. Our lesson for this holiday season is, of course, the account of Jeroboam and King Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. There are many interesting and profitable lessons to be gleaned by looking into these two kings as they seek to serve God, but we will have a go at just a couple of them.

On the surface this seems a dark time for those called by God as we see Israel, His chosen, separating from each other, but Romans 8:28 comes to our rescue 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. In fact, the entire chapter 8 of the Book of Romans should be read as a companion to this lesson tonight. Let’s remember that when Jeroboam separated from Rehoboam, he was only doing what the Lord had commanded him to do “31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 1 Kings 11: 31. I can say with some certainty that most of us do not even hear, let alone listen, when God speaks to us, so kudos to Jeroboam for hearing, and putting the words to action.

At the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam became king and consulted with many advisors as to the best way to govern the people, and in fact, summoned the now separated Jeroboam to advise him as well 6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever 1 Kings 12:6-7. It seemed like King Rehoboam was going to try and serve the Lord’s people. King Jeroboam it seemed also was making an effort to serve God, as well. 1 Kings 12:26 records the following statement And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David.

A case can be made that both men, like most of us, wanted to serve God. I have no particular insight one way or the other into the hearts of either of these men, but I do have some insight into the heart of man. Each felt called to be king, each felt the need to serve God and guide God’s people, and each set out to do what he thought best.

It does not take too much imagination, and would not require you to be a betting man, to know that the heart of man is deceitfully wicked and no one can know it. From the garden to the flood, all throughout the Old Testament and to this very day, the history of man is one of failure and redemption, and even without knowing more about these kings, most would correctly guess that neither would be up to the challenge of serving God fully and listening closely for His leading.

To Jereboam the Lord said 38 “And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee” 1 Kings 11:38, and before we become too critical, I might suggest a quick look in the mirror. The Lord has said as much to each of us, and we, like Rehobaom and Jeroboam often do everything we can to make God proud. Everything we can, and that is where we make our mistake.

History records that king Rehoboam harkened not unto his advisors and chose to use a heavy hand on God’s people, 1 Kings 12:13 13 “And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; 14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” How did Rehoboam do with this strategy? 2 Chronicles 12:1 should bring chills to each of us who tries to follow the Lord on our own power “1 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.” And it is worth noting, although not the focus of this teaching, as went the leader, so went the people … and all Israel with him.

And did Jereboam do any better? “If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. 30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. 31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. 32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. 33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

Fearing for his own life and position, Jeroboam did not hearken unto God’s commands and made for himself and his people new gods of gold, made new priests of men not called by God, set new places for worship not according to God’s commands and changed the times and seasons of worship, all the while thinking he was serving God.

King Rehoboam had the advantage of growing up as Solomon’s son, seeing firsthand the Lord’s grace and mercy. Seeing his father both follow and falter, and seeing the results of each. There should be no question that Rehoboam had advantages we do not have, and opportunities we will never see. King Jeroboam had the Lord’s prophets speak directly to him. He heard the words and wishes of the Lord Himself spoken directly into his life, in audible ways we are unlikely to experience. Yet each man failed miserably to follow after the Words of the Lord, they each sought to worship God, but to do it as they thought best, not as the Lord instructed. They were not the first to try and do it their way, as Frank Sinatra sang, that first event took place in the garden. They were certainly not the last, I suspect based on my own failings, we may all do poorly in this area to one degree or another. But “these things were written aforetime for our learning…” (Romans 15:4), should we not seek to improve our walk when we can?

Both men, it would seem, wanted to worship after God, but neither would worship the way God had prescribed, each choose to do it their way. Which brings us back to the annual “war on Christmas” we hear so much about this time of year. As Christians we, of course, worship Jesus at this time of year, the Nativity scenes, the Christmas and Christmas eve services, the Christmas cards with pictures of the baby Jesus surrounded by camels and donkeys and wise men and straw, with the star of Bethlehem shining brightly above. I think we all know that there was no Christmas tree at the birth of Jesus, certainly Santa and Frosty were a few centuries hence, but we happily embrace all the jolly season has to offer and somehow see it as an offering to our King. To be sure, we take the opportunity of the season to share about Jesus, and many attend Christian services who only attend church at Christmas and Easter. Some do even make professions of faith at this time of year. And for a few it even sticks, and perhaps that is why we except less than God has for us during this season.

The messages we hear at these Christmas services are always good, often somewhat generic, but fairly accurate in many ways. I suspect that most of us know that Jesus was not actually born this time of year, most agree that he was born during the Feast of Tabernacles, some three months earlier. And although he was conceived about this time of the year, we really don’t want to talk about our Lord’s conception (see the birth of Jesus and John 7 and 8) at the Christmas eve and Christmas services with all those C and E’rs, and perhaps even our parents present.

We know that in the garden Satan beguiled Eve and she did not follow God’s instructions. Why would we think that Satan does not try to beguile us during the Christmas season for the same reasons? Why would we think that we would not fall for lie, just like Eve, Jeroboam, and countless others before us in Scripture? Jeremiah, Genesis, Revelation, most of the prophets, and many other places in Scripture we are warned about Satan’s motives and methods. Daniel reminds us that Satan wishes to change the times (moade meaning appointments) and seasons (feasts) Dan 7:25 25 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” We know Satan seeks to change the name and mission of God, and will do anything he can to separate us from God and His Word and commands. It is a million small things, death by a thousand cuts, they call it. The rainbow becomes a symbol of things abominable to God, the truth of God’s Word becomes “hate speech,” love becomes tolerance of evil, the baby Jesus is represented by a Christmas tree, the list is endless, constant, and evolving.

The Lord told Jeremiah one way to spot a heathen in chapter 10:2-5 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

The pagan world would celebrate the winter solstice during the celebration of Saturnalia by cutting down an evergreen and installing it in the family room. They would deck it with gold and silver. The Yule log would go in the fireplace and the wassail bowl would hold the beverage. By Roman times, gifts would be given and a weeklong celebration was had by all. Does any of this sound familiar? In an effort to eliminate the Jews and their traditions from Rome, the Feasts of the Lord were outlawed. Rather than eliminate them altogether, the (state) church of the day simply changed the times of the Feasts of the Lord to coincide with the still legal secular feasts, with new times, new names and new purposes. Echos of Jeroboam so many years before. By the time of the Julian calendar, the winter solstice fell on December 25 and Christmas as we know it, was born. Later of course, candles were added to the tree and then electric lights. The story of St. Nick was included and expanded and the feast of Tabernacles was forgotten and completely replaced with this pagan celebration. Frosty, Rudolph, the Grinch, some elves, and pretty soon the appointment once set by the God of the universe to meet His people, and for His people to meet with Him is utterly forgotten and meaningless.

No big deal you say, we still honor Jesus at Christmas, right? That line of thinking did not work out so well for King Jeroboam. The Lord is offended when we choose to worship our way, not His way. When I hear the debate about the “war on Christmas” I have to chuckle. Not that this is particularly funny, but so typical of Satan. His finger prints are all over this. The Christian haters, the ACLU, the governor of Rhode Island, the atheist groups, the freedom from religion people, all want what God wants, that is for Christmas not to represent Christianity. Bill O’Rielly, the “keep Christ in Christmas” people, and the war on Christmas groups, want what Satan wants, for Christmas to represent Christianity. All the while Jesus waits for his people to wake up and return to Him. It sadly reminds me of Isaiah 42: 22-23 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? As the people of God were robbed of the things of God, they did not know enough to ask for restoration of those things. They were actually quite happy with the things as they were. “Heck we already have god we don’t need no restoration.” Or as Sarah Palin famously said, it is like putting lipstick on a pig. Like Jeroboam, we want to worship God, but are afraid to do it His way. We trade the beautiful and God ordained times ordained by Him to be with Him, for a pagan celebration with a plastic baby Jesus on the lawn. Lipstick on a pig, no offence to Charlie Brown or Rudolph. Romans 1:16-26 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen

What would happen if you and I embraced the original feasts the Lord originally prescribed. If we actually showed up at the appointments God set for us thousands of years ago and not at the appointments society sets for us? Perhaps blessing would rain from Heaven, first on our house, then in our town, then to our state, perhaps our entire country, and all the world would see a great revival as millions of souls turn to the Lord. Too much? Well you never know, with God anything is possible, but I personally would be pleased if you just saw Christmas in a little different light this year.