The Consequences of Choice

Through the life of Rehoboam, grandson of the great King David and son of Solomon, this passage shows how the surroundings and conditions we are given lead to different outcomes depending in the end on each person's choices. By the world's standards Rehoboam was born into the best of conditions and came to the throne, but he grew proud, forsook the Law of the Lord, and went the way of idolatry. As a result the nation was divided, he suffered the pain of Egypt's invasion and the loss of his treasures, and in the end he was recorded as a wicked king.

David, on the other hand, though he committed the grave sins of rape and murder, humbled himself before God, repented, and was faithful, and so was forgiven and approved. Because God is invisible, human beings easily fall for Satan's temptations, but the Bible records side by side, in contrast, the journey of a life that believes in the invisible God and a life whose heart has been captured by the world. Just as Rehoboam, when the nation became stable, did not stay spiritually awake but fell into corruption, we must be all the more careful when things are going smoothly, and we need training to rely fully on God alongside our human effort.

Through the ends of these two lives, the Bible urges the reader to decide for themselves which choice to make. God keeps his covenant to the end and grants opportunities, but if we receive that opportunity and still do not choose the way of faith, we will end up going the wicked way. The sermon asks what opportunities we have received, and what choice we will make with that opportunity before us.