Rehoboam’s Sin and God’s Sovereignty
Northwest Bible Church – April 2, 2006 – Worship Service – Alan Conner
1 Kings 12
Rehoboam’s Sin & God’s Sovereignty
INTRO
- REHOBOAM’S SIN (12:1-15).
- He did NOT listen to the elders.
- He did listen to his young counselors
- REHOBOAM’S JUDGMENT (12:16-24).
- Jeroboam is made king over Israel (12:20).
- The kingdom is divided (12:16-24).
III. GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN.
- This was all God’s plan to discipline Solomon for his sin (11:11).
- God was in control of these events (12:15).
What? -
Who? -
Why? -
- God is sovereign over the hearts of men:
1) He directs the hearts of kings.
Prov. 21:1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2Sam. 17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, in order that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom.
2Chr. 25:20 But Amaziah would not listen, for it was from God, that He might deliver them into the hand of Joash because they had sought the gods of Edom.
2Chr. 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia — in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah — the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
Ezra 6:22 And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Rev. 17:17 “For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be fulfilled.
2) God directs the hearts of men.
Luke 22:22 “For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” Judas’ choice to betray Christ was determined by God.
Acts 4:27-28 “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur.
3) He hardens hearts.
Deut. 2:30 “But Sihon king of Heshbon was not willing for us to pass through his land; for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, in order to deliver him into your hand, as he is today. Cf. hardening of Pharoah’s heart by God – 11 times in Exodus.
Psa. 105:25 He turned their heart to hate His people, To deal craftily with His servants.
Is. 19:14 The LORD has mixed within her a spirit of distortion; They have led Egypt astray in all that it does, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
4) God gives a believing heart.
Deut. 29:4 “Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.
Ezek. 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
- LESSONS FROM GOD’S SOVERIGNTY.
- This does not nullify the doctrine of man’s responsibility.
- God is not the immediate author of sin, but is sovereign over all sin and evil.
- God’s sovereignty is a rich source of comfort for God’s people.
Spurgeon: “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children of God ought more earnestly to contend than the doctrine of their Master over all creation – the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands – the throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne.”
CONCLUSION