Reading: I Kings 12-13
After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth(I Kings 13:34).
The united kingdom of Israel was no more. Solomon had turned from God, and God had forcefully responded. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant (I Kings. 11:11). God chose Jeroboam, a mighty man of valor (11:28), to assume the throne of Israel over the ten northern tribes: Asher, Dan Ephraim, Gad, Issachar, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, and Zebulun. Meanwhile, the newly christened southern kingdom of Judah, formed by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, remained loyal to the throne of David and rallied around King Rehoboam, son of Solomon.
Despite the ever-widening schism between countrymen, God had not abandoned either side. They were all still His people, living under His covenant in the land He had given to their ancestors. Rehoboam led his small nation bolstered by God’s covenant with David (II Sam. 7:12-16). To Jeroboam, God had promised: And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in My ways, and do that is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as David My servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee (I Kings 11:28). All either king had to do to for their nation to prosper and grow was wholeheartedly follow the laws, commandments, and statues of God and rule according to His will. One king or two, separate or united, if the children of Israel had hearkened to God, they would have been richly blessed.
Neither nation made any attempt to do so. Under the leadership of Rehoboam, Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree (14:22-23). Meanwhile, in the northern kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam ordered the construction of two gold calves, set them before the people as representations of God, and ordered them to worship at the feet of his idols rather than journey to the temple in Jerusalem (12:28-33). To facilitate this, he made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
If asked, both kings would likely have said they were adapting God’s laws and statutes to fit their unique situation and that such compromises were necessary for the welfare of all and would keep God ‘relevant’ as they navigated their new normal. If that reasoning feels uncomfortably familiar, it should. It is the exact same reasoning offered today by politicians, church leadership, and many individual Christians to explain the necessity for reinterpreting the Word of God through the filter of the ‘modern’ world. It was a devil-inspired lie then, and it is a devil-inspired lie now.
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you(Deut. 4:2).
Thought For TodayTrading tradition for convenience is a purposeful act of distancing ourselves from God.
Word Studies12:14 scorpions = scourges with sharp points; 12:32 high places = pagan shrines; 13:6 Intreat = Plead in prayer; 13:32 cried = shouted, declared.
Christ Revealed:Through Shemaiah, who spoke for the Lord (I Kings 12:22). Jesus spoke only what the Father told Him: I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a Commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak (John 12:49).
Pray For Country:Kevin Jennings • Country: Luxembourg (514,862) in Western Europe • Major Languages: Luxembourgish, German • Religious Freedom • 87% Roman Catholic; 13% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Husbands, give honor to your wives, or else your prayers will be obstructed (I Pet. 3:7).
Optional Reading:Acts 27