By Mrs. Bessie W11 boa
f'
Introduction: Unity is an essential ingredient of any
successful enterprise, Jesus himself stated, “Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation
every city or house divided against itself shall not
stand,” (Matthew 12:25). As it seeks rnrps fnr ifg iUSj the
sin-sick world regards the broken and divided church and
decldes thatthe church is as sick as theworW. Itviews the
splinters, fights, politcs and hypocrisy with reactions
that range from confusion to contempt. In the face of the
seemingly impossible task of overcoming division in the
church, we must remember that Christ prayed that His
followers might all be one (John 17:11). His prayer was
— uttered in behalf of us today as well as those of the first
century.
Lesson Background: Last week’s lesson closed with the
Lord’s pronouncement to Solomon that his kingdom would
be torn from him because he had forsaken the true God to
follow other gods. In the verses immediately following (I
Kings 11:14-25) we are introduced to two men, Hadad, and
Teyon, whose hatred for and opposition to Israel would
become factors in God’s chastisements for Solomon’s sin
Another such adversary, Jeroboam, is mentioned in the
fu-st portion of this lesson’s Scripture text. The time period
of this lesson is the same as last week’s lesson-during
Solomon’s reign over Israel.
“One day, as Jeroboam was traveling from Jerusalem,
the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh met him alone on the road
in the open country. Ahijah took off the new robe he was
wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeraboam
“Take ten pieces for yourself, because the Lord, the Go*of
Israel says to you, ‘I’m going to take the kingdom away
from Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. Solomon will
keep one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the
sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen to be my own
from the whole land of Israel. I am going to do this because
Solomon has rejected me and has worshiped foreign
gods:-Solomon has disobeyed me; he has done wrong and
has not kept my laws and commands as his father David
did.’” (I Kines 11:29-331
.— Ahijah’s action was sudden and dramatic. The. tearing
up of a new garment surely would have made a vivid and
lasting impression on Jeroboam. The note that Ahijah
tore it into twelvp pieces and gave Jeroboam ten-indica
tive of the tribes who would cooperate in his revolt and in
the new kingdom to be formed. Although the garment was
torn into twelve pieces, each one representing a tribe,
seemingly only eleven tribes are accounted for. The
explanation seems to be that the one tribe that would be
left to Solomon, identified in I Kings 12:20 as Judah, was
kctuaUy two tribea-Judah and Benjamin-since little
Benjamin was lodced Upon as absorbed in Judah. Many
reasons for the division of the kingdom could be
considered. The focus of all the religious and political life
in Jerusalem pulled the resources of the rest of the tribes
into that one area. Thus economic considerations were
doubtless significant. The taxation necessary to sustain
the elaborate temple, and expecially the royal establish
ment, were political irritants. Besides this, Solomon’s
many wives—hundreds of them—created a very confusing
and competitive situation, making for instability and
erosion at the very center of power.
But back of it all was the fact that Solomon and all those
involved in the leadership of the nation had turned their
backs on the true God and His way. If Solomon had
remained dedicated to God, he would have felt no need to
enter into “marriages of alliance” with the daughters of
airrounding pagan monarchs. This policy ultimately led
him and his people into idolatry. The worship of false gods
not only brought acts of “devotion” that were repugnant
to good morals, but they degraded and cheapened all of
life. The very genius of Israel was that they were a “people
<f the true God.” When they rejected God and His way and
became like all the nations, their life lost its flavor, its
power, and its glory.
We have the testimony of I Kings 4:30, 31 concerning
Solomon’s wisdom. “And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the
wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the
wisdom of Egypt. For one was wiser than all men-and his
fame was in all nations round about.”
Yet the Scripture tells us he became foolish. His
previous trust in God became shaken when the desire to
further promote the prosperity and security of his kingdom
led him to marry many toreign princesses. But this was
not all; apparently he became enamored of sensual
pursuits and devoted more and more time and energy to
self-indulgence and sensory satisfaction. He failed to
encourage his people in a devotion to the God who had been
and was the secret of their very existence as a people We
can be sure of this for certainly he did not need
“protection” from “political” marriages to seven hundred
wives. Besides this, what can be said of the three hundred
concubines who had no political status?
The immediate onset of the division was due to
, Rehoboam’s attitude. It was one of arrogance, pride
: hostility, superiority, and harshness. (Read the entire
story). We need to learn from this the importance of our
attitudes. It is not Just what people say to us, but how we
treat what they say. Separation from God’s will and way
finally leads to separation and division in all the relations
of people with each other-in marriages, famUies,
friendships, and nations.
Mrs. Judy Bradley
VTrs. Bradley j
Appointed
.Chairperson
Special To The Post
ORANGEBURG, SC - Mrs Judy
Bradley has been appointed
chairperson for the newly
established Department of Nursing
at South Carolina State College. She
received a bachelor of science
degree in nursing in 1966 from
Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL,
and a master’s degree in nursing in ,
1976 from the University of South !
Carolina in Columbia.
Her major study was health
nursing with special studies in
maternity and public health. For the
past three years she has been
district director of public health
nursing in the East Midlands Health
District of Columbia.
The new program will begin in
August. There will be an upper
division curriculum for an associate
degree and a diploma program for ;
registered nurses who plan to pursue
a bachelor of science in nursing i
degree. The program will provide
the registered nurse with the i
opportunity to be enriched !
personally and professionally as j
well as to improve the independent
and critical thinking needed by |
loday’s nurse, she points out.
The program will improve the
quality, quantity and scope of health I
care delivery available to the
citizens of the state. It will help
alleviate the need in health care
settings and community for nurses
prepared as leaders and managers.
The program will also enable I
students to develop beginning
knowledge or nursing research and
provide an academic foundation for
the pursuit of graduate education.
“Many efforts will be directed
toward the practicing nurse with
special consideration for family, job
and community responsibilites,”
Mrs. Bradley said. “National tests
may be used to accurately evaluate
a student’s previous learning and we
will not require enrollment in course
work in which students are already
competent.’’
evening classes and evening
clinical experiences will be options
as well as a full utilization of clinical
experience in and around the
Orangeburg area or the state. Public
health, acute, extended care
facilities, community mental health,
occupational health, physicians’
offices and other ambulatory care
settings will be a heavy focus of
the program.
Applications for the fall semester
will be accepted through July 31.
Spaces for 65 students will be
available for the first class.
Additional information may be
obtained from Mrs. Bradley, chair
person, Department of Nursing,
Post Office Box 1658, Orangeburg,
SC 29117. The phone number is 803
536-7173.
TEMPLE CHAPEL
The Sixth Anhua] Appreciation
Service for Rev. and Mrs. Gene
Gilmore will be held Sunday, July 8,
at 3 p.m.
Rev. Dr. L. D. Parker will be the
guest speaker Also at 1:30 p.m.
dinner will be served to all members
and friends. During the 11 a m. wor
ship service, Rev Samuel Madden
of Mt. Zion Church, Fountain, Inn,
S.C., will speak.
On July 22 Women’s Day will be
observed. Beatrice Thompson, news
reporter Tor WBTV, Channel 3, will
be the guest speaker during the 11
a m. worship service. The public is
cordially invited to attend
NEW ST. JOHN
Rev. Robert Leak, pastor of St.
John Baptist Church, will preach on
“Growing A Better Church By
Teaching and Preaching,” Sunday,
July «. during the 11 a m service. ,
St. John Baptist is located at Jb6o
St. John Rd. in the Newell* Hic
kory Grove area of Charlotte.
r «
SPEND THIS <
WEEKEND WITH
THE j
CHARLOTTE ^
POST i
for Home Delivery j
Coll 376-0496 ^
S Each of these advertised items is required to be readily available for
m' sale at or below the advertised price in each AAP Store except as
specifically noted in this ad J
PRICES EFFErtlVB'iiHRU SAT., July 7 AT A&P IN CHARLOTTE
ITEMS OFFERED FOR SALE NOT AVAILABLE TO OTHER RETAIL DEALERS OR WHOLESALERS
BOBOE eOBPONS
BSEE YOUR LOCAL AAP IN CHARLOTTE FOR DETAILS
Beautiful PatternsHandPaintecUBaroqu^^^^^^\
STONEWAREipSsgTl
TSBf AQC - lilllfHI
(Lzzr-wsz
I Canned dqa 11 Ground 3 lbs. orM£Q I
I Ham Dao 11 Chuck "7b 1””|
JANE PARKER HOT DOG OR SdViflQS FLAV-O-RICH
Hamburger Bunsi jk Sice Cream
WHiJMri MSave
-laTrA J
A&PCOUPON )■■■■■■■
WKHSSB^BSsEl1 n 5 BB * *"•** *^^^^
UNIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. OOOO THRU SAT., JULY 7 AT AAP #662
l»4 C ENTRAL AVE. ***?RARK R<>A*> ,M gUARON AMrrv
Ul> PROVIDENCE RD. jg OM CENTRAL A^