As Israel slips further into idolatry being led by Jeroboam, his son gets deathly ill. In response Jeroboam thinks back to a man of God named Ahijah that prophesied of his becoming king. How interesting that this man who had no time for Jehovah God seeks Him when tragedy strikes. Rather sounds like most people today, only calling on God when they are desperate.
When Jeroboam’s wife takes their son to Ahijah, he tells her that he will die as a result of his father’s behavior. Then just as promised Jeroboam’s son Abijah dies upon returning home. The idolatrous nation of Israel mourns the death of their king’s son. He ruled for twenty two years and then his son Nadab took the throne.
Mean while in Judah Rehoboam Solomon’s son has further turned his back on God. The people are living perverted lives as they embrace all manner of sin and serve false gods.
In response the Lord allows Egypt to raid Judah stealing the valuable and sacred contents of not only Solomon’s house, but the temple as well. The crown jewel of the city has been ransacked. What happens next is so telling.
Rehoboam has cheap replicas made of the valuable items that have been stolen. You see he was more concerned with appearances than content. The temple to them was just a symbol of their previous greatness. It had no spiritual significance to them and was simply a matter of status.
How many people today have no room for God in their lives, but like to claim to be Christians. They have a fish on their car, post religious sayings on Facebook or even go to church, but their hearts are far from Him. They are more concerned with what people think, than what God thinks.
You and I have one job to do while here on earth. We are to live our lives in a way that honors God and fulfills His plan. This will not be done by pretending, but by being authentic. We have but one shot at this life, let’s give it our all with the desire of pleasing God above everyone else.
As Paul wrote to the Philippians while sitting chained to a Roman centurion. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14
Let’s live for Him as we love authentically, deny our selfishness, invest in others and keep pressing!!!
1 Kings 14