|
Tax Troubles |
Dear Brethren,
Did you ever stop to think that God might just have something to do
with the financial crisis and exorbitant tax rates that are being
imposed on us today? He absolutely does! From prophetic
chapters like Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, we are warned that
because of our sinful ways, our people will be greatly humbled. "...You
shall come down very low." (Deuteronomy 28:43)
During the rulership of King David and King Solomon, God united the
twelve tribes of Israel into one nation or kingdom. Solomon's forty
year reign marked a time of great peace and prosperity for Israel.
A number of parallels can be drawn between the history of ancient
Israel and our modern Israelitish nations of today, who also have
enjoyed much peace and prosperity. Solomon sinned terribly when his
heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared unto
him twice. (1Kings 11:10)
God said that He would surely rend the Kingdom of Israel from Solomon's
son and cause it to be torn in two. When
Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, who was heir to the throne went to
Shechem about thirty-two miles north of Jerusalem to be crowned king
of all Israel. But, it came to pass that Jeroboam heard of the
pending coronation and came to demand that the taxes be lowered for
all Israel. Jeroboam said to Rehoboam, "Thy
father made our yoke grievous [too much military spending, and
too many taxes]: now therefore make thou the grievous service of
thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we
will serve thee." (1Kings 12:4
Rehoboam replied saying, “Let me think about it and
check with my advisers and staff — get back to me on that."
"King Rehoboam consulted with the old men [elders of Israel],
that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and
said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they
spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people
this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak
good words to them, then they will be thy servants for
ever." (1Kings 12:6-7)
The wise elderly men knew how to
bring peace and prosperity by growing the economy with good tax
rates and good incentives. "But [Rehoboam rejected]
the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted
with the young men that were grown up with him, and
which stood before him." (1Kings 12:8)
Rehoboam’s peers were in favor of
change – much higher taxes – where everybody would suffer from the
tax burden. "Rehoboam said unto them, What counsel give ye that
we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the
yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men
that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou
speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made
our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou
say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's
loins. [Expect exorbitant taxes and heavy-handed policies]. And
now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will
add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips,
but I will chastise you with scorpions." (1Kings 12:9-11)
Rehoboam reasoned that much higher
revenues were in order – here is what the new administration
would enact – he would have all the power and all the wealth. "So
[Rehoboam] answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's
counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of
the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will
add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I
will chastise you with scorpions." (1Kings 12:13-14)
It was God who allowed Israel
to be split in two because of sin. God had determined that
His blessings were being withdrawn because Israel did not look to
Him. "Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the
cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his
saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam
the son of Nebat, when He said, "Behold, I will rend the
kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to
thee"." (1Kings 11:31, 1Kings 12:15)
All of the ten northern tribes of
Israel said to Rehoboam, “You are not one of us.” The policies of
the new king split the nation wide open in a breach that has not
been healed to this day. "So when all Israel saw that the king
hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What
portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of
Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David.
So Israel departed unto their tents." (1Kings 12:16)
So Judah, along with a small portion
of the tribes of Benjamin and Levi, was all that remained of the
southern kingdom of Israel (2Chronicles 11:12-14). "As for the
children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam
reigned over them." (1Kings 12:17)
Northern Israel revolted against the
new regime with its higher taxes and coercive policies. Rehoboam
sent out his Secretary of the Treasury to impose and collect the new
higher taxes, and all Israel protested and killed him. Rehoboam
fled back to his constituency in Jerusalem, and to rouse the
military to action. "Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was
over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he
died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his
chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house
of David unto this day. And it came to pass, when all Israel heard
that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the
congregation, and made him king over all Israel [in the North]:
there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe
of Judah only." (1Kings 12:18-20, 2Chronicles 11:12-14)
Jeroboam became the king of the ten northern tribes of Israel,
while Rehoboam became king at Jerusalem over the tribe of Judah.
Jeroboam began to systematically change the Holy Days, the
priesthood, and to reinstitute the high places of Pagan religion.
The ten northern tribes forgot their God unto this day. For these
abominations, including Sabbath breaking and idolatry, God sent the
ten northern tribes of Israel into Assyrian captivity (2Kings
17:6).
Brethren, in the same way that Jeroboam removed every vestige
of true Godliness from Israel, and Rehoboam followed in Solomon's
Godless footsteps, there is a concerted effort today to obliterate
every mention of God and His law. Take a look at Israel's prophetic
history, and then ponder this question – What
is in store for our nation?
***
Sermon: |
"Tax Troubles"
|
|
|
|