What have you been given by God? What are you willing to compromise to keep it? – 1 Kings 12:26-28
Reading in 1 Kings 12-14 this morning, there is a series of tragic stories. Three men are each given a responsibility to steward: Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, heir to the throne; Jeroboam, promised to lead the 10 tribes of Israel; and a prophet from Judah.
Sadly, each story ends in tragedy.
Rehoboam doesn’t listen to his elders, but to his friends and in arrogance tells the people how much greater he is than Solomon, and loses 10 out of 12 tribes to rule.
Jeroboam, once given the leadership of the 10 tribes, in fear of losing the allegiance of the people, causes them to worship false gods.
From this, he led the 10 tribes away from God to worship idols.
1 Kings 12:26-28 (NIV84) “Jeroboam thought to himself, ‘The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.’
After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves.”
Unbelievable! God had given him a prophetic promise of his opportunity to lead Israel. God had protected his life in Egypt.
now that he has been given this great privilege, he turns the people away from God so that he can keep his power.
The prophet from Judah does go and prophesy to Jeroboam but doesn’t fully obey God and is tricked by another prophet on his way home. He is killed by a lion and buried in the other prophets tomb.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
There are so many details and so much tragedy.
But the common theme is God gave each one a responsibility, and none of them completely obeyed God in it.
We could go on for hours about all the details of these stories, but let us consider who gave the opportunities and responsibilities to these men?
What did fear, pride, self-protection, and a lack of full obedience and dependance on God bring them?
Father, from your hands, are we given the opportunities before us. May we seek to honor and obey you in carrying this great privilege to serve you.
These are not ours, but they are yours. Help us to obey you fully as we steward the things you have given us.
