God’s one big plan: Divided Kingdom St James, Taunton 6th November 2016 www.stjamestaunton.co.uk

Do you know Rehoboam from Jeroboam? Son of Solomon Tribe of Judah King of united Israel Consulted with elders Rejected advice Caused the split of Israel King of Judah Jeroboam Son of Nebat An Ephraimite Official of Solomon Rebel (1 Kings 11:26) Spokesman of 10 tribes King of Israel

Do you know the 12 tribes of Israel? Sons of Jacob Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Joseph Manasseh Ephraim Benjamin

Sons of Jacob Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Joseph Manasseh Ephraim Benjamin

History Jacob Slaves in Egypt Exodus Joshua King Saul 1st Temple 1800 1700 1600 1400 1500 1750 1450 1650 1550 1300 1200 1000 1100 1350 1050 1250 1150 900 950 800 850 700 750 Jacob Slaves in Egypt Exodus Joshua King Saul 1st Temple King Solomon King David 931 King Jeroboam of Israel King Rehoboam of Judah 721 Israel destroyed Moses 12 tribes lived in Egypt 12 tribes maintained identity for c.1000 years

North/South split 931 BC ISRAEL JUDAH Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Joseph Manasseh Ephraim Benjamin Samaria ISRAEL Jerusalem JUDAH

Israel struggled to remain independent Assyria invaded in 721BC – people exiled Exiled because of sin worshiped other gods followed practices of other nations secretly did things against the Lord set up sacred stones as stiff-necked as their fathers did not trust in their Lord followed worthless idols became worthless practiced divination and sorcery ... ... ...

Israel struggled to remain loyal to God For Israel, exile was more than geographic “The Lord removed them from his presence” ‘The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” 2 Kings 17:13 Amos Micah Zephaniah Hosea Isaiah

Do you have a sense of national or regional identity?

Are you loyal to a leader?

What about Christian sympathies?

How important is group identity? How important is personal identity? Reith Lectures this year are about "Mistaken Identities" Themes of : Creed Country Colour Culture Which is most important to you? Does it make you distinctive?

Pros and cons of identity loyalty maintains standards loyalty can become blind patriotism vs nationalism true devotion vs ‘pick and mix’ tradition vs insincerity rituals vs spiritual sacrifice

Hosea 6:6 ‘acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings’ Micah 6:6-8 ‘walk humbly with God’ 1 Peter 2: 9-12 ‘you are ... a holy nation, ... aliens and strangers in the world, ... live such good lives among the pagans ... [that they] ... glorify God’