Reading: II Chronicles 10-13
For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the Lord. And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers (II Chr. 11:14-16).
King David had been much beloved by his people, and throughout much of the reign of Solomon, public morale had remained high. But by the time Rehoboam ascended to the throne, the people had begun to grow weary of autocratic excess. Rehoboam soon proved to have neither the wisdom of his father nor the faith of his grandfather. Faced with national discontent, he turned not to God, but to the advice of men. And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions (10:13-14). His attitude shocked the petitioners. Ten of the tribes withdrew in search of better leadership, ultimately naming Jeroboam as their king.
Although initially he acted under the auspices of God, Jeroboam soon betrayed his calling by placing his desire to guard and strengthen his throne over obedience to the Lord. He forbade his citizens to travel to the Temple in Jerusalem, capital of the newly formed nation of Judah, to worship. And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. This put those Israelites who were faithful to God in quite a bind. Their only choices were either to forsake their tribes, families, and new king and continue to worship in Jerusalem in accordance with Lord’s commands, or they could worship at the new centers established by Jeroboam, strengthening their national and tribal bonds while essentially betraying their God.
While many of the Israelites allowed their allegiance to their families and their king to draw them away from God, a core group of faithful remained. The vast majority of the Levites and priests followed the call of God and departed for Jerusalem, and after them out of all the tribes of Israel (came) such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God. These brave individuals knew that to compromise the laws of God meant breaking them, and that breaking God’s law meant destroying their fellowship with Him.
This same difficult choice lies before us today. A popular theory has taken hold in our society that states there are many paths to God, and that it is up to the individual to choose the one that works best. Despite the fact that Scripture exposes the blatant lie behind these words, this message gains ground daily. It has even worked its way into some of our church pulpits as false prophets scramble to maintain their ‘kingdoms’ in the face of political pressure. Many of us have friends and family members that have accepted this new way of thinking and worshipping, and they are pressuring us to do the same. So now we must decide. Are we willing to entrust our souls to the religion of men, or will we choose to remain faithful to the will of God?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).
Thought for Today: It took only two generations for David’s line to abandon God. In the modern world each generation that proposes we have outgrown God is only following the same tired old tune.
Christ Revealed:Through the Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) (II Chr. 13:11). Jesus is the Light of the world (John 9:5).
Word Studies: 10:4 yoke grievous = heavy, severe burdens; 10:10 loins = waist; 11:12 every several = each separate.
Pray For Staff: Ryan McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN) • Country: Nicaragua (5,788,531) Central America • Major Languages: Spanish, English • Limited Religious Freedom • 58.5% Roman Catholic; 23.2% Protestant; 0.9% Jehovah’s Witness; 1.7% Other (Jew, Mormon, Muslim); 15.7% None • Prayer Suggestion: Thank God for His mercy (Num. 12:11-14).
Optional Reading:I Corinthians 11.