Children Bible Overview 66 27/07/08

GOD HAD REGARD FOR THE LAND OF JUDAH BUT FORSOOK THE LAND OF
ISRAEL

Teachers to read bible scripture: <1 Ki 11:26-13:34>

Children to memorize bible scripture: <Ex 20:4-6>

Recap
Children, in the past few weeks, we have heard about the story of King Rehoboam and King
Jeroboam. Because King Solomon departed from his father, David’s path and followed other gods,
God therefore took away 10 tribes from his son’s (Rehoboam) hands and gave them to Jeroboam.
Hence, Rehoboam led the land of Judah while Jeroboam led the land of Israel.
Introduction
Today, we will see the difference in the way King Rehoboam led the land of Judah and the way King
Jeroboam led the land of Israel. Although both King Rehoboam and King Jeroboam were weak,
arrogant and did not submit to God, God loved Rehoboam and the land of Judah which he led. This
was because there was God’s holy temple in the land of Judah. In the holy temple, there were God’s
ark of covenant, laws, decrees and commands, There were also priests that were appointed by God
and prophets chosen by God in the land of Judah. Therefore, although King Rehoboam and the land
of Judah were sometimes weak, God continually revealed to them His love, promise and perfect will
through His holy temple, priests and prophets. Therefore, even though there were times when the
land of Judah was in the wrong, the people would hear the teachings of God and hence repent.
However, among the 10 tribes of Israel led by King Jeroboam, because King Jeroboam created false
gods (golden calves), the people built holy temples on their own, they appointed their own priests,
they fixed their own festivals, therefore the Israelites could not hear the true God, the Lord’s voice.
Eventually, the entire house of Jeroboam was destroyed. The subsequent Kings of Israel also
continued to take paths that rebelled against and departed from God because they could not hear
God’s voice. Eventually, the whole Israel perished. But in the land of Judah, because of the presence
of God’s holy temple, the people of Judah could listen to God’s voice, and hence there were some
kings who knew God and listened to Him that were raised up. Therefore, we see God had regard for
the land of Judah led by Rehoboam though it was small, but God forsook the land of Israel led by
Jeroboam though it was huge.

1. The difference between King of Judah (Rehoboam) and King of Israel (Jeroboam)
1) Although they were both weak, there was God’s covenant in the land of Judah. This
covenant often reminded the people of Judah that they were distinguished people of
God and have God’s blessing of the 4 Gospelization (individual, family, region and
world) in them.
2) Although they often did not act according to God’s instructions, there were God’s
laws, decrees and commands in the land of Judah = Therefore, the people of
Judah often received the teachings of God and hence repent.
3) Although they often did not love God, did not love man and even commit sins, there
was God’s holy temple in the land of Judah. In the holy temple, there were priests
and the blood of Jesus Christ (the precious blood of God’s lamb) = Therefore, when
the people of Judah sinned, the priests would use the precious blood of the lamb to
offer sacrifice for the people of Judah and all their sins would be cleansed. They
could then see God’s love and hence love God and man.

2. Why did God have regard for King Rehoboam and the land of Judah which he led
although he was so weak?
1) This was because God loved King Rehoboam and the land of Judah which he led.
Those whom God loved will always be loved = Therefore, we who know and believe
 in Jesus Christ are loved by God. Those people whom God loves will always be
loved and always be regarded.
2) Because God loved them, He blessed them with His covenant, laws, decrees and
commands so that they would not waver to the right or left. Although King Rehoboam
and the land of Judah were often weak and was small in size, because they had
God’s covenant, laws, decrees and commands, they therefore received God’s
correction and teachings = Therefore, although we may be weak at times, it is
important that we still attend Sunday school weekly to listen to God’s words. This is
because God uses His words to teach us.
3) This was because King Rehoboam and the land of Judah were loved and chosen by
God and they were people who belonged to God. Therefore, regardless of how weak
they were, they did not depart from God’s covenant, laws, decrees and commands.
Every time they were weak and were disciplined by God, they would go before God =
Therefore, when we are weak and are disciplined by God, it would be alright as long
as we quickly go before God.

3. Why didn’t God give Jeroboam a chance but forsook him and the 10 tribes of Israel
which he led?
1) This was because God disliked Jeroboam and the land of Israel which he led =
Therefore, regardless of how good the actions of those who do not know or believe in
Jesus Christ are or how intelligent they are, they cannot receive God’s love.
2) This was because Jeroboam was not loved by God and he also did not love God, or
God’s covenant, laws, decrees and commands. Therefore, God allowed him to
create false gods (golden calves), build his own holy temples, appoint his own priests,
fix his own festivals. Eventually, he and the people who followed him were all
destroyed = Therefore, those who do not love God, would not believe God and are
not willing to get close to God. This is because the devil, Satan controls their hearts.
3) This was because Jeroboam was not one of God’s chosen people. Therefore, after
he heard the words of God’s prophets and was even disciplined, he was not willing to
repent and in fact acted willfully, distancing himself from God further = Therefore,
those who are not God’s chosen people, their thoughts, perspectives and methods
depart further and further away from God, to the extent that they worship other gods
and are not willing to go before Jesus Christ.