MIXING WATERS 1

Discussion

DISCUSSION:

Jeroboam was one of the servants of King Solomon. He was so efficient that the King elevated him and gave him much responsibility. 1Kgs11:28; "And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph." Then something extraordinary happened. The prophet Ahijah met Jeroboam and gave him the word of the Lord stating that Jeroboam would become king over Israel. He who had no hope of ever becoming King of anywhere was suddenly chosen by God to become King of Israel. Solomon had derailed from fully serving God. So God was tearing 10 tribes of the kingdom out of the hand of David's descendants and giving them to Jeroboam to rule as King. Talk about from grass to glory by grace (1Kings 11:29-38). Now, when this was fulfilled, and Jeroboam had become king by divine choice over ten tribes in Israel, and Rehoboam (Solomon's son) was King over only Judah and Benjamin, something terrible began to happen to Jeroboam's heart. Insecurity, fear and lack of trust in God destroyed him permanently. 1Kgs12:26-28 records that Jeroboam advised Israelites not to go to Jerusalem to worship because he was afraid that they'd shift allegiance to Rehoboam king of Judah since Jerusalem was in Judah. Instead of trusting God who gave him the kingship by grace, he chose instead to build 2 golden calves and commanded Israel to worship the idols. He caused the land of Israel to go into mass idolatry. His insecurity and lack of trust in God ruined him and cut short God's magnanimity in his life. Even with prophetic warnings, his fear of losing earthly glory cut his heart off from repentance. Sir/ma, this is the danger of allowing sin into your life; it'll dull your spiritual senses and harden your heart against godly repentance. Jeroboam lost his place in God's best for him because he never learnt to trust God. Beware of trying to keep by strength what God gave you by grace. Doing this will surely lead to idolatry. Maybe it's your marriage, or relocation abroad, or children, or any other thing that God gave you. If you're afraid of losing it, you will eventually put your trust in other gods. Beloved, trust in the lord; what he gave you, He is also able to keep for you. Shalom Uvracha!