TSW ~ E.W. King: Israel & Judah…two nations!

Rehoboam...Judah decided to follow him.

Israel & Judah…two nations!

By Eric William King

Rehoboam was a son of King Solomon; he was to succeed his father on the throne. Jeroboam was the son of Nebat and of the tribe of Ephraim (Joseph’s seed). Following the death of King Solomon the people were left to choose between these two to become the new king.

Jeroboam was told by the prophet Ahijah that he would become king of ten of the twelve tribes (1^st Kings 11:29-40). When Rehoboam faced the people after King Solomon died he wondered what to do so he consulted the Elders who told him:

“…If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” (1^st Kings 12:7)

But instead of listening to his wise Elders he sought counsel from his young friends whom he grew up with and they told him;

“…Tell these people who have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter’ – tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions’”. (1^st Kings 12:10-11)

In other words, his friends wanted power with him in his rule. Their immature and unwise minds ruled-the-roost. Today we see many government institutes ruled by young and uncontrolled minds. Isaiah foretold a time when improperly parented “children” would rule and cause chaos. God warned the prophet Isaiah;

“I will make boys their officials; mere children will govern them. People will oppress each other – man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the base against the honorable.” (Isaiah 3:4-5)

We see the young violent “children” today who riot in our streets and they know nothing about what they are even rioting about. Ten Tribes out of the Twelve Tribes of Israel sided with Jeroboam and rejected the evil rule of Rehoboam. All the Jews (from the tribe of Judah) decided to stay with the evil Rehoboam along with the smallest tribe of Benjamin and some of the Levites so that they could officiate in the temple.

This revolt brought the complete separation between Judah and Israel. After this “Israel” was a complete and separate nation than that of the Jews (Judah). When we say “Israel” in its national sense of course it may refer to all twelve tribes but from here on in the Bible we see that Judah would never unite with Israel during Old Testament times.

Judah had Rehoboam on their throne and from here on out follow a completely different history than Israel. Understanding the promises of two different races must now be noted. So Israel was headed by a leader and representative of Joseph and it was this “house” which was to retain the “birthright” forever (Genesis ch.48-49; 1^st Chronicles 5:1-2). Both nations have different prophetic implications. This is so very important to understand in these last days. Christians who continue to study here at “The Shepherds Way” will learn about these extremely important issues.

Remaining in God’s perfect Word always,

Eric William King (July 1^st 2020)

Also Read..."Not all Israel is Judean"