MIXING WATERS 2

Discussion

DISCUSSION:

Recall that Jeroboam was chosen when King Solomon derailed just the same way David was chosen when King Saul derailed. While David trusted the God who graciously gave him the throne of Israel, Jeroboam on the contrary was afraid to lose the throne. He could have trusted God or at least consulted prophet Ahijah to inquire of God for instructions on what to do but he never did. Instead, he acted in his human wisdom and human strength. He built 2 golden calves and commanded all Israel to worship the golden calves. He declared; "these are the gods that brought you out of Egypt..." 1Kings 12:28. He must have been demonically inspired by Aaron's error in Exodus 32:1-4. Therefore, Jeroboam in the era of kings, led Israel into mass idolatry and became the depraved standard for sin for all the subsequent kings of Israel. How could a man so graciously chosen by God, drift into idolatry? As we said before, if you try to sustain by your strength what God gave you by His grace, you will drift into idolatry. You'll become delusional, psychotic and schizophrenic. Fear of losing God's blessing will drive you into maniacal behaviour. Now, in the process of time, King Jeroboam's son became deathly sick. Jeroboam had been consulting Baal and Ashtoreth, but when sickness hit his son he suddenly remembered the true God of Israel. He sent his wife to inquire from God through the prophet Ahijah. 1Kgs.14:1-3; "At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child." What presumptuous audacity! He even sent an offering of bread and honey. He thought God to be one of the other dumb gods who just needed offerings. God judged him; his son died, Jeroboam died, and all his male descendants were eliminated. Aren't there Christians like Jeroboam today? They like mixing waters. They'll ignore God, live in disobedience to all God's instructions and live anyhow they please. But when they're in trouble, they'll run to church. These are they who follow money, immorality, luxuries, pleasures of life...but when trouble hits them, they'll bring a seed to pastor in order to receive counsel and prayers. Listen sir/ma, the Lord our God is not one of the dumb idols of Egypt. He is God and you CANNOT bribe Him. He requires that you serve Him with all your heart and might. Until you're ready to do this, keep your offering! Selah!