Click to read 1 Kings 14
Synopsis
For the sins against God, Jeroboam's family was punished. God declared that disasters would befall Jeroboam and his entire clan - none would be spared. Rehoboam , the king of Judah, did not behave any better. In fact, he led Judah into greater sins than their fathers did. They turned to worship pagan gods, and even had males prostitutes at the shrines. Hence, God's chosen people, as represented by Judah and Israel, fell into deep sins and paid a heavy price for their indiscretion.
Major Verses
V2, 4-5 - Jeroboam was so blinded by sin that he even asked his wife to disguise herself so at to get a word from Ahijah, the prophet at Siloh (the one whom God had spoken to raise Jeroboam as king of Israel). His humanly scheme was pre-empted by God's communication with Ahijah.
What I learn
God is all-knowing. Jeroboam was disrespectful and thought that he could fool God's prophet. Though blind, Ahijah was guided by God to appropriately proclaim judgment on Jeroboam through his wife. It is unwise for us to think that we can hide our intentions and sins from God. It is better to confess our sins before Him and seek His forgiveness and move forward in repentance.
V22-24 - Asherah poles were items of idol worship. Sacred stones were pillars of stones placed at the pagan altars which represented deities. This showed how sinful the people had become, breaking the very first commandment given through Moses.
What I learn
Even today, many people are caught in idol worship. This does not necessary mean that they are worshiping an image or a carved stone. The modern day idols come in the more subtle forms, such as, a all-consuming hobby or obsession, an unrelenting quest for a high flying career, a disproportionate focus on self and family and many more. We must be extremely careful not to let anything or anyone in our life to take a higher position than God.
V25-26 - Just five years after Solomon died, Israel fell from being the most powerful nation to being attacked and plundered by a little know Egyptian king, whose army was not as powerful as those of Israel's. God had weakened the army to allow this punishment to occur. Having the temple plundered must have been a most embarrassing and painful experience for them.
What I learn
When the people become spiritual bankrupt and immoral, they lost everything. Take heed and guard our hearts carefully. Write it in our hearts that when God is gone from our lives, all is lost; nothing is more valuable than a relationship with our heavenly Father.
Summary
Israel and Judah paid dearly for slipping into deep sins against the Lord. The most powerful and glorious nation on earth faded into chaos and uselessness. When the people turned away from God, all was lost.
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Up next...
Kings came and kings went as Israel and Judah slipped further into sin. Coming up next week on 28th Jan.
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