Bible Reading Blog
“The People Still Listened to YHWH”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: 1 Kings 11-14
Solomon blew it and YHWH pronounced judgment through Jeroboam, his servant (1 Kings 11.26, 40). Via prophet, YHWH promised that Jeroboam would reign over 10 tribes of Israel, even giving Jeroboam similar promises to David (1 Kings 11.35, 38). Although Jeroboam was exiled for a short time, following the death of Solomon, things began falling into place. Rehoboam foolishly spurned his people who immediately departed and made Jeroboam king (1 Kings 12.1-20). “…it was a turn of affairs brought about by YHWH that he might fulfill his word, which [He] spoke… to Jeroboam…” (1 Kings 12.15)
The fracture situated Israel for civil war, but YHWH made a quick end to this with a clear message: “Stop this and go home” (1 Kings 12.24) … and they listened to YHWH. This episode emphatically teaches that conflicts do not have to end in destruction when people listen to God. In tense moments, the natural inclination is to follow them to the Nth degree. In fact, sometimes people divide to define and destroy the opposition. But tensions can be diffused and managed by the direction of God. The reality even today is that God’s people will encounter moments of strife that may cause separation (consider Acts 15.36-39), but it doesn’t have to end in the pursuit of destruction. Take a breath, maybe some time apart and be willing to do what God says. In this wisdom, people find clarity.
Ironically, this became a point of fear for Jeroboam. Since the people still listened to YHWH, Jeroboam worried he might lose control when they returned to Jerusalem to worship (1 Kings 12.26-27). “So the king… made two calves of gold… And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin…” (1 Kings 12.26-30). A man hand-picked by God to replace a king who had gone after other gods, now has left God to secure his own kingdom. How quickly people lose sight of God and his promises! For this reason, Jeroboam received a similar condemnation from the LORD regarding his kingdom: “YHWH will give up Israel because of the sins of Jeroboam…” (1 Kings 14.16).
We must see from Jeroboam that choices define faithfulness, not personal experiences. YHWH appeared to Jeroboam via prophet on at least 2 occasions. You would think these moments would impact him the rest of his life… but instead he was drawn away by other agendas.
The human heart has not changed. It is popular for people to define themselves by some experience with God in their lives. But the promotion of these moments tends more towards pride than faith in action. Hence why Paul would boast no in his third heaven experience but in his weakness (2 Corinthians 11-12). We must not desire or be defined by singular moments but daily devotion to the one we are sure has spoken. Whatever experience God gives us is must constrain us towards greater trust in what he has promised and directed to us through his word. We must not fear that the outcome will not be what we want. Instead, we must continue to listen and obey and let that settle our hearts.
