Building a team can be tricky, whether it’s a family, church or business. One is tempted to lay down the law to make things happen quickly. If things begin to fall apart, it’s easy to set up man-made systems instead of trusting God. When Rehoboam succeeded his father, Solomon, as king, he became a bully instead of a servant. He listened to immature men instead of wise counsel from experienced advisors. Let’s learn how to build a successful team by not following Rehoboam’s example.
All Israel came to Shechem to make Rehoboam king. Jeroboam and the assembly of Israel told Rehoboam that if he lightened the hard service of his father, they would serve him (1 Kings 12:1-5). Treat others with respect and compassion if you want them to serve and work with you.
Solomon’s elders said to serve the people and grant their requests so they would be his servants forever. The young men who grew up with Rehoboam told him to increase the yoke and discipline them with scorpions (1 Kings 12:6-11). Get counsel from experienced and godly people if you want a positive outcome.
The king followed his younger advisers and did not listen to the people for it was a turn of events from the Lord. It established God’s word spoken through Ahijah to Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:12-15). Trust God’s sovereignty for the decisions you make.
When Israel saw that Rehoboam would not listen to them, they said “we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse” and decided to look after their own house. Rehoboam ruled Judah, but stoned Adoram who was in charge of the forced labor, which began Israel’s rebellion against the house of David. Israel made Jeroboam king over them (1 Kings 12:16-20). Serve others so teamwork and not self-interest take over.
God through Shemaiah told Rehoboam not to have Judah and Benjamin fight Israel. They listened to God’s word and returned (1 Kings 12:21-24). Listen to God’s word as a protection from bad decisions or chaos.
Jeroboam built Shechem in Ephraim and lived there. Because he did not want Israel worshiping God in Jerusalem, He made two golden calves in Bethel and Dan representing gods that brought them up from Egypt. This thing became a sin because people worshiped them. Jeroboam made houses on high places, assigned priests not from the house of Levi and created a feast similar to Judah’s. His own heart devised a plan to sacrifice calves and burn incense on the altar in Bethel and station priests of the high places (1 Kings 12:25-33). Resist controlling others through man-made religious systems that look similar to true worship of God.
Ask yourself the following questions as you build a team:
1. Are you treating others with respect and compassion?
2. Are you getting counsel from experienced and godly people?
3. Are you trusting God’s sovereignty for your decisions?
4. Are you serving others?
5. Are you listening to God’s word in the decisions you make?
6. Are you resisting controlling others through man-made religious systems that look similar to true worship of God?
If you answer “yes” to these questions, you are well on your way in building a successful team.
