Good morning, welcome to the start of summer. At least here in Arizona. The Weather Channel is forecasting a high of 100 in some places today. Our weather will not return to cold once we hit the century mark. It was fun while it lasted.
This is our 100th day of reading the Bible, and things are about to get pretty hot for Israel in 1 Kings 12-14 today.
Failed leadership
David had united the twelve tribes of Israel, but because of Solomon’s idolatry, God is about to split the kingdom up.
Rehoboam was David’s grandson and ruled over Judah, but the ten tribes of Israel had made Jeroboam, son of Nebat, their king. Neither of these men walked with the Lord.
The people were about to make Rehoboam their king (v12:1), but he faced a challenge because they demanded better conditions. This is like a modern day labor dispute, or strike. Jeroboam asks Rehoboam to lighten up on them (v12:10).
Rehoboam received advice from the elders (v12:13), but he rejected it. He prefers to follow the advice of his younger friends.
Much like Pharoah increasing the burden on the Israelites in Egypt, Rehoboam decides the best way to deal with the complaining is to pile on. He increases the demands and the people revolt.
The interesting thing about the situation is God orchestrated it (see 12:15). This was from the Lord and part of His plan. For this reason, there was a separation between the house of David, Judah, and later the followers of Jesus, and the rest of Israel (v12:19).
Then the word of God comes to Shemaiah, saying the two groups should not fight with each other (v12:24).
Idolatry
Jeroboam tries to win the people over by letting them worship idols in the high places. He appointed his own priests instead of the Levites (v12:31). Then he throws a party for everyone to celebrate (v12:32). Nothing like a festival to make everyone happy.
While some rejoiced, God’s displeasure was palpable. He has a prophet call Jeroboam out for his wickedness. He tells him that Josiah will sit on David’s throne.
Jeroboam tries to stop the prophet, but God makes his hand shrivel up (v13:4).
This is my concern for America. Solomon did not listen and married women from foreign countries and embraced their idols (see chapter 11). This split the country.
Our country is more divided than I remember in my lifetime. There was a similar chasm in the days leading up to the civil war. The press and other leader were against Abraham Lincoln, (1).
Lincoln stayed the course, but he humbled himself and went into the oval office, dropped to his knees and prayed for God’s intervention (2).
If President Trump will do likewise, we can reunite and prosper.
Jeroboam and Rehoboam did not take that path. They sat up high places, made golden calves and let the people commit idolatry.
They put on a good show. King Jeroboam asked the man of God to intercede for him. Jeroboam’s hand was restored because of his intercession. This does not change the course of his actions (v13:33).
Consequences
It is not only the responsibility of leaders. We see that the man of God was tricked into eating and drinking in the land God had warned him against. Because of this, a lion ate him.
Then we hear of Jeroboam’s wife, who is told when she walks into her city her son will die (v14:12). What mother would still return to that city?
She doesn’t take the word to heart and when she returns, her child dies (v14:17)
The people of Israel and Judah did not listen. The kings refused to change their ways. Their sins surpassed those of their predecessors, provoking greater divine wrath (v14:22).
Repentance
People carried off even the temple treasures to Egypt (v14:26) because of their refusal to repent.
Peace was not to be found (v14:30)
We will face a similar fate if each of us as individuals, as people of God, and as leaders in our nation do not repent and seek the Lord.
The word of God is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
We must learn from what happened to them and correct our path. Time is running out!
