The Teacher in Ecclesiastes finished his long discourse with some words of advice to young people – and old people. He remembered what it was like to be young and able to enjoy life’s pleasures. It was a happy time, a time for exploration and trying new things.

He also knew what it was like to be an old man, after all of that youthful vigor had slipped away. The strength of his body and the pleasures of his senses were gone and it was time to think about the end of life.

A Word to the Young

The Teacher wanted young people to know that their choices in life had consequences. That didn’t mean they should curb their joy and enthusiasm, but they should remember there was God in heaven who would call them to account for their choices someday.

“You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the trouble of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

If that sounds like a mixed message, “enjoy your youth and vigor because it’s meaningless,” remember that “meaningless” actually means “vapor” or “smoke.” Youth is wonderful, but it will disappear like smoke, so enjoy it while you can. But also,

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’” Ecclesiastes 12:1

Some Thoughts for the Old

The narrator of Ecclesiastes knew what it was like to be old. His eyes were dim, his hands trembled, and a lot of his teeth were gone. His hearing had faded and he felt unsteady on his feet. He no longer felt the exhilarations of his youth. He was about to go to his eternal home with mourners following his funeral procession through the streets.

To all who were listening, young and old, the Teacher gave this admonition:

“Remember [your Creator] – before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel is broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

Vapor and smoke, everything in this life is vapor and smoke, but people should keep in mind that when this life is over, their spirits return to God.

So the author concludes Ecclesiastes — with the hope that the Teacher’s words will goad people to make good choices. But he counsels people not to obsess about being wise. After all, there is only so much a person can learn. Once you know what to do, just go do it.

“Of the making of books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Israel Crowns Rehoboam

King Solomon was gone, so his son Rehoboam traveled north of Jerusalem to Shechem to be crowned the new king of Israel. Rehoboam needed to be crowned in a place recognized by all of the twelve tribes of Israel, and Shechem was uniquely that place. It was the site of the sacred mountains, Gerazim and Ebal, where Israel had first stood inside the Promised Land and recited the blessings and curses of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 11:29) Shechem belonged to all of the Israelites, no matter where they lived.

So the people gathered at Shechem, to crown Rehoboam, but also to discuss their tax situation with the new king. King Solomon had laid heavy taxes upon his people and placed a heavy yoke of labor on them. Scholars estimate that he may have taxed his people as much as 40-50% of their incomes, and made them restless by forcing them to labor for the crown.

The people wanted relief, but King Rehoboam wanted time to consider the situation.

“Rehoboam answered, ‘Go away for three days and then come back to me.’ So the people went away.” 1 Kings 12:5

Good and Bad Advisors

The next three days Rehoboam consulted with his advisors. He began with the elders who had served his father Solomon. They told him that if he were willing to serve his people by cutting their taxes he would win their loyalty forever.

Next Rehoboam talked with the young advisors who had grown up with him. Their view was that the people shouldn’t be allowed to dictate terms to the king. They encouraged Rehoboam to pressure the people for more taxes and make their yoke heavier with more labor. Rehoboam preferred not to give up his income so he went with the counsel of his young friends.

“He followed the advice of the young men and said, ‘My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’” 1 Kings 12:14

Immediately, all of the tribes except Judah and Benjamin deserted King Rehoboam.

“What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!” 1 Kings 12:16

From that day forward the Israelites were a divided people. The northern tribes took the name Israel and the southern tribes became known as Judah.

Jeroboam Becomes King Over Israel

 God had decided to tear the ten northern tribes away from the royal house of David after King Solomon introduced idol worship to Israel. He sent the prophet Ahijah to tell Solomon’s labor overseer Jeroboam that he was going to become the king of the ten northern tribes. When Solomon heard about this prophecy he tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt and stayed there until Solomon died.

When it was time to crown Rehoboam, Jeroboam went up to Shechem and led the rebellion of the ten tribes against Rehoboam. They made Jeroboam the King of Israel and Rehoboam retreated to Jerusalem with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

Rehoboam Tries to Recoup His Losses

King Rehoboam had gambled that by threatening greater domination over the Israelites he would keep both his kingdom and his substantial income. Instead he lost most of the kingdom, and with it went most of his income. He went back once to try to reassert his authority to no avail.

“King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.” 2 Chronicles 10:18-19

Rehoboam mustered the army of Judah and Benjamin and prepared to go to war with Israel, but God sent the prophet Shemaiah to stop him.

“‘Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, to all Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” 1 Kings 12:23-24

There was nothing Rehoboam could do once God said no to him.

 The Kings Fortify Their Borders

Jeroboam and Rehoboam didn’t go to war with each other, but they fortified their borders against each other. It was one thing to live separately, but it was another to figure out how they were going to conduct national worship. The temple was in Jerusalem and the people were required to go there for at least the three annual festivals, but now the ten tribes in Israel had no access.

All of the Israelites knew that God’s presence had come to dwell in the temple when it was dedicated. So after the nation divided, the priests and Levites abandoned their homes in the north and moved to Judah so they could continue to serve God in Jerusalem.

This left King Jeroboam with a great dilemma. How could he and his people worship God now that the border was closed between Israel and Judah?

Jeroboam had to come up with a solution for his people and tomorrow we will learn what it was.