A Father's Choice

I was just studying the life of some famous fathers, King David, his son King Solomon and King Solomon's son King Reheboam.  Because of David, Solomon's life was blessed beyond measure; wisdom that the world looked to, peace, riches that other kingdoms provided, 700 wives and many more concubines (not sure this was a blessing or not).  At about half way through Solomon's reign something changed, he chose to love his blessing more than the One who blesses. His life continued to be blessed. His generation did not pay the price for His change of heart. The price was paid by his son, Reheboam and Reheboam's generation.  Reheboam, at the beginning of his reign was faced with a decision as to how he was going to reign over God's people. To his credit, he sought wisdom from two groups, the elders which loved and served God, and the young men, which loved and served themselves. Many of the elders were from Solomon's and David's courts. They were there when David made chose not to kill Saul, when David brought back the ark, when Israel rose to her greatness. They understood the favor of God that glowed on David because David was head over heels in love with God. David made mistakes, but when it came to choosing He always reconnected in his love relationship with God. Solomon did just the opposite. When his wives asked for their false God's to be worshipped Solomon built their temples. Solomon's heart turned Israel from God. The blessing that should have been flowing to Reheboam and all Israel was stopped. Reheboam chose the advice of the young men. He chose to rule Israel with cruelty and hardship. Israel rebelled and the kingdom split. Ten of Israel's famous twelve tribes chose to be ruled by another. Reheboam lost peace, lost wealth, lost wisdom, but most of all became totally lost from God. David's behavior blessed his son's life. Solomon's life cursed his son. Reheboam led Israel into a split and into generations of failure and dismal existence. Could Reheboam have changed this or did Solomon's sin lock Reheboam into doom? In the same way that David's behavior provided the foundation of God's blessing for Solomon. Solomon's behavior provided the foundation for Reheboam's demise. Solomon, in his position as a father, changed the flow of God's blessing to Israel. Solomon forced the hand of God from blessing Israel. When God's blessing is stopped the curse comes. It is like fresh water coming from a river. When the river is stopped, the saltwater from the sea rushes in. As long as the river flows, the sea is held at bay. Reheboam could have repented (turned away) of the foundation that Solomon built. He chose not to. He was presented with the wisdom of God by the elders who were with David and Solomon. I am certain that God, presented His love to Reheboam through the words of these elders. Reheboam chose. As a father, my greatest ability is my ability to choose. My gifts, talents, favor, wealth, or lack thereof does not seem to be the legacy to the next generation. It is my choices that will build the foundation that the next generation built upon. What if God raised up a generation of fathers that chose Him, that chose to put God, and His kingdom in the right place? Could we change the earth in one generation? Could it be that easy? Could we bring the flow of the river of God to our generation as well as the next generation? What if we figured out how to help the next generation of fathers help the next generation of fathers that helps the next generation of fathers that helps the next generation of fathers and so on? What if God already has it figured out? What if the plan is already in place? What if we, as fathers, grabbed hold of God's plan? That sounds like that would make for some good news. Hmmmmmmm... If you want to push back, agree, add to, take away from, go my Facebook page.