Decisions
Posted 3/31/2007
Jeroboam
- God offered His blessing if He was obeyed 1Ki 11:38
- Headed up a petition for a good cause, reduced governmental oppression
- Jeroboam declined, and his kingdom started its fall 1Ki 12:25
- He decided to cement his rule in controlled religion, instead of obeying God
- Alternate, more convenient, places of worship were established for ease of access for the northern tribes of Israel
- He violate God's law on many levels, targeting the memory of the exodus from Egypt
- He spends some time in Egypt while hiding from Solomon
- The one place of worship was abandoned for political reasons
- Golden calves were made (just like Aaron did!) for something pretty to worship
- Non-levites were made priests
- The Feast of Tents was replaced by one of his own making
The prophet
- In the middle of all this idolatry, a prophet from Judah shows up with a two prophecies:
- A named person (rare!), Josiah, will burn these false priests on their own altars
- The altar will split apart right, to prove he's speaking from God
- Jeroboam calls for his arrest, and his arm freezes as is
- The altar splits (Jeroboam: "uh, oh")
- He pleads for his arm back, which is granted
- The prophet had a particular command, to return immediately without food or drink, and take a different way home
- Stood up to Jeroboam's kingly offer
- Believed the lie that God can contradict Himself, and died because of it
God
- Put Jeroboam on the throne
- Split an altar
- Has Josiah in line for His purposes 1Ki 13:2; 2Ki 23:15-26, about 350 years later! (Cyrus 100yrs Is 44:28-45:1; Ezra 6:3 and Emmanuel 750 yrs Isa 7:13; Mat 1:23 are foretold way in advance.)
- Uses liars to speak to His people
- Directs animals; a lion kills him, and stands with the donkey waiting for the false prophet to return
- When God promises something, it will happen
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