The Unavoidable Choice Between Two Masters

Rehoboam's catastrophic reign illustrates a principle that transcends ancient Judah: humanity cannot exist in spiritual independence. The king received a narrow escape when Jeroboam's schism drove faithful priests and worshippers southward, strengthening his kingdom. Yet prosperity intoxicated him. He forsook the law of Yahweh, and the dreary cycle began: irreligion bred chastisement; chastisement brought repentance; repentance removed the invader—only for the nation to spring back to its old sin.…