1 Kings 12:26-30 (MSG) But then Jeroboam thought, “It won’t be long before the kingdom is reunited under David. As soon as these people resume worship at The Temple of God in Jerusalem, they’ll start thinking of Rehoboam king of Judah as their ruler. They’ll then kill me and go back to King Rehoboam.” 28-30 So the king came up with a plan: He made two golden calves. Then he announced, “It’s too much trouble for you to go to Jerusalem to worship. Look at these—the gods who brought you out of Egypt!” He put one calf in Bethel; the other he placed in Dan. This was blatant sin. Think of it—people traveling all the way to Dan to worship a calf!
Observation
First, can I just draw a parallel here? The serpent in the Garden twisted God’s words by saying, ““Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?” He knew this was not true, but used lies to deceive and lure Eve and Adam into sin. So, Jeroboam has done the same, twisting the truth (downright lying!) to serve his own purposes – “He made two golden calves. Then he announced, “It’s too much trouble for you to go to Jerusalem to worship. Look at these—the gods who brought you out of Egypt!” His fear and greed for power has driven him to lie and lead the people into sin.
When we lose sight of the knowledge that all we are, all we have and all we have accomplished is of and by The Lord, we fall into a trap, a hole in our road that we did not see. Fear of losing face or praise or position causes us to dig the hole deeper, even to the point of leading others into sin with us, rather than humbling ourselves, repenting and seeking the Lord’s arm to lift us out. This is just what Jeroboam did when he allowed fear to drive his decisions. He was appointed as king of the 10 tribes by God but he did not trust God’s word or His ability to sustain His promise. He started to look for ways to please and attract the people, pandering to their unholy desires, serving their pagan cultures, in order to maintain his popularity and secure his rule. I am sure that God was not surprised, but was giving Israel the king they deserved; after all, we reap what we sow.
Impact on Me
I suspect I am not alone in experiencing this same fear of rejection, loss and disgrace or being challenged to compromise for the sake of favor with the people around me. I want to be liked, respected, loved, but I pray never at the cost of being faithful to truth, never twisting that truth to suit my selfish purposes. I want to be faithful to Jesus Who lives in me and keep my worship of God pure.
I wonder what concessions have I made to culture that have become altars to another god? What compromises have I allowed to creep in and become altars to the idol of convenience or complacency or people-pleasing? Where have I protected or promoted myself at the cost of truth?
Prayer
My God and Father, Source of all Truth, Justice and Mercy, I pray that my life before You will become ever more holy. Search me, examine my motives, reveal any fear or pride that is tempting me to alter Your truth for my purposes. Help me to recognize those serpents hanging out of the trees who would want to lead me astray. Show me the places in my soul where I might have a golden calf that has been substituted erected in place of surrender to You. May my life be a crystal clear lantern for Your light as it shines forth to bring Your redemption to those I meet. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 