Despite not being anywhere near my goal, I have been accomplishing my greater goal, the whole purpose in reading through the scriptures, which was to get more out of the scriptures and come closer to God and understanding His ways by doing so. As an example, this morning I read in 1 Kings 12 about Rehoboam coming to power over the Israelites and it helped me see the way God leads in a new light. Previously I understood and felt God's leadership to be this way, but reading it in scripture reinforced it and put my thoughts and feelings into words. So many people accuse Mormonism (and many Christians in general) of being overbearing, having too many 'pointless' rules, etc. but I don't feel that way, and this really illustrated it how I understand it.
In 1 Kings 12, King Solomon has just died and his son Rehoboam is coming to power over Israel. The people tell Rehoboam that Solomon was a harsh leader who made their "yoke grievous" and that he should make their burden lighter. He tells them he will think about it for three days and then they should return. First, Rehoboam consults with the elders, who tell him that "If thou wilt be a servant unto this people...and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants forever." (vs 7) Rehoboam then goes to his peers and they told him to "add to [their] yoke" and "chastise [them] with scorpions." (vs 11)
When the Israelites return, Rehoboam announces that he will be following the counsel of his peers, he will add to their burden and chastise them sharply. The people respond by leaving and making Jeroboam their king.
So what does this have to do with us in modern times?
First, this story helps us understand the way that God leads. The elders understood the Lord's way of leadership - if you serve the people, they will serve you. Just think of it! Does God just give us a list of commandments to follow and expect us to follow them or else we will be punished? NO. God does give us a list of commandments, but before, during, and after those commandments God is serving us. God served us before giving those commandments by promising to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price of our sin. He serves us by providing the enabling power of His grace - the only way it is possible for us to obey those commandments. And He will serve us by providing an eternal reward which far outweighs our sacrifice of obedience. What if we don't obey the commandments, or fail in our attempts to do so? Are we "chastised with scorpions"? Certainly not. God's infinite mercy and boundless love does not work that way. There is absolutely no way that we can be perfectly obedient, no matter how hard we try. I already mentioned that His grace is what makes it even possible to obey, but it is also what makes it possible for us to be forgiven when we fail. We will fail. He knows it. And when it happens, He is going to forgive us, help us get up, and motivate us to keep trying. Trust Him because He trusts you, serve Him because He serves you, love Him because He loves you.
Second, it shows us the way that the world thinks. God's way doesn't seem logical at first - serve them so they'll serve me? It seems more logical to be a slave driver - demanding, harsh, scaring and forcing them into submission. I will keep you busy with difficult or nearly impossible tasks and when you fail I will punish you. Doesn't that seem like a more logical way to get people to obey you? Descending to their level seems to makes you less authoritative.
{*This reminds me of a Parks & Rec episode in which they debate over the best way to motivate employees: is it gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement? or are hunger and fear the best motivator? But I digress...}
Third, it gives us a tangible example of how we should lead - not only in our professional lives but within our homes. Do you lead your children by serving them and speaking good words to them? Or by directing them and harshly chastising them? Lead and teach your children by example, not by force, not by threatening, not by scaring them into submission. Children don't need to be trained, they need to be guided. (there is a difference)
Fourth, this has a direct application to our lives and helps us to "give an answer unto every man that asketh" (1 Peter 3:15). I hear this from many sides - those who have left the church, Atheists, other Christians - friends from each of these groups have expressed to me that they see my faith as a harsh task master. It is abusive, not edifying; enslaving, not ennobling; controlling, not compassionate. They feel I am following rules because I've been scared or brainwashed to serve a greedy ruler. They have a right to their opinion, but I think they are seeing the situation through the world's eyes. It is more logical to think that the best way to get people to obey is to force them, so that is what they imagine is happening. However, I don't know any faithful members who see it that way. I obey the commandments and covenants of God because He leads His way. I revere and serve the prophets and church leaders because they lead God's way. They lead by example and encouragement, not by force. I see God's image reflected in the way His Church is operated, and that is a witness to me that it is indeed His Church.
We learn from this story in 1 Kings 12 that if the Church were lead the way that these people say it was - the world's way full of force and fear - it would not be successful. People would leave in droves unsatisfied, unfulfilled, discouraged, disappointed. (Not to say that this doesn't happen - it does, a lot. But many more are filled with hope and fulfillment than not.)
God is the King of Kings. Because He is our King, we are obligated to serve and obey Him. We are faithful to this obligation because we are motivated by His love, mercy and grace, and not out of fear.
Know this, that every soul is free
To choose his life and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is given:
That God will force no man to heaven.
He'll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.
Freedom and reason make us men;
Take these away, what are we then?
Mere animals, and just as well
The beasts may think of heaven or hell.
May we no more our powers abuse,
But ways of truth and goodness choose;
Our God is pleased when we improve
His grace and seek His perfect love.
-Anon. ca. 1805; Hymns #240
Interesting stuff. Thanks for the insight. :)
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