QT 12/30/2021 1 Kings 14:1-13, What is our impact?

 

UPDATE: This is a repeat of a QT on 29 Dec 2010.

 

1 Kings 14:1–13 (ESV) —

1 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. 2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what shall happen to the child.”

4 Jeroboam’s wife did so. She arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. 5 And the Lord said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus shall you say to her.”

When she came, she pretended to be another woman. 6 But when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another? For I am charged with unbearable news for you. 7 Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over my people Israel 8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes, 9 but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, 10 therefore behold, I will bring harm upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will burn up the house of Jeroboam, as a man burns up dung until it is all gone. 11 Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat, for the Lord has spoken it.” ’ 12 Arise therefore, go to your house. When your feet enter the city, the child shall die. 13 And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.

 

NOTE: A blind prophet recognizes the footsteps of a disguised women he had never met as the King's wife (although possibly being blind was an advantage).  And while his words are harsh, the act of identifying his wife should have confirmed God's control of life to Jeroboam.  Jeroboam received a prophecy that he would be king, but somehow he justified it as a lucky guess, because he makes no attempt to please the God who gave him the kingship.  Now, when his son is near death, he needs God.  He doesn't go (that we know) to the high places he set up or to any of the people who wanted to be his priests.  He goes back to the original prophet who had told him he would be King.  Why is it that even unbelievers turn to God in their pain?  The prophet's words are harsh and fitting.  Jeroboam had failed in the role God gave to him.  He had led a nation into a sin, that would continue until its very destruction.

 

I think the Lord gives each person who believes in Him a ministry and a role.  We can follow God, or we can live life for ourselves.  But God will call us to account for how we have used the gifts and calling he has given to us.

 

Jeroboam's actions gave him the infamous tagline in scripture, "the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat." None of the kings of the northern kingdom ever did differently. They all followed the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. He could have had so much good influence, and instead his name is repeatedly recognized for his bad influence.

 

PONDER:

1. What will be my tagline to my heritage? It is not too late to create new tagline.
2. We all influence at least one person and more likely many, even if we do not notice. Is my influence good or bad or indifferently? God will call me to account.
3. Am I doing what God has called me to do? Do I even care?

 

PRAYER: Father, each of us has a role and place in the body, but too many of the members stand by idly watching the 20 percent do the work for the whole. What is our place of service? In this new year, show us where you want us to serve and how you want to use our life.

QT 5 Oct 19, 1 Kings 17:4-7, Times of want and times of plenty are times to learn

1 Kings 17:4-7 (RSV) — 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

NOTE: In Streams of the Desert, the Cowman writes,

"THE education of our faith is incomplete if we have not learned that there is a providence of loss, a ministry of failing and of fading things, a gift of emptiness. The material insecurities of life make for its spiritual establishment. The dwindling stream by which Elijah sat and mused is a true picture of the life of each of us. “It came to pass … that the brook dried up”—that is the history of our yesterday, and a prophecy of our morrows." (1925)

I do not like it when people spiritualize scripture. Cowman's insight is a bit of a stretch from this passage, but he is right for two reasons. One, it is true that God tells him to go to a place that later runs dry. God did want him to experience loss and a certain helplessness so that Elijah might trust in God. Additionally, the principle is taught in many other passages of scripture. The best example is Paul's statement in Philippians where he says "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want." There is a secret, but it is not just about "want," it is also about "abundance." There is a great danger in both states, but the dangers are much different. Both can eat at your souls.

PRAYER: Father, you have taken me through extreme times of want and times of plenty. I don't want to miss the lessons you have for me. Give me wisdom to apply your truths to whatever situation I find myself.

QT 13 Jan 15, 1 Kings 22:48, How do we respond to negative events?

1 Kings 22:48 (ESV) Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber.

NOTE: Jehoshaphat is one of the good kings of Judah. Spurgeon suggests that it was his alliance with Ahaziah that was the cause of his misfortune (since Solomon had tried the same thing but was successful whereas Jehoshaphat was not). Actually, 2 Chron 20:35-37 confirms Spurgeon's theory. It is certainly possible that negative events are caused by God (as opposed to allowed). But much of our problems in life are not God's direct hand, but rather the result of our original rebellion and the effect of sin on the world. Bad things happen and they do pass through God's hand (in the sense that he can intervene), but that does not mean they are caused or that he is required to intervene. Also, God's promise to believers in Rom 8:28 only says that he will bring good out of all things (good and bad), not that he will stop bad things from happening to believers. Unlike most of life, in this passage's cross-reference, we have direct confirmation of God's hand and purpose in the event. Most of the time, we don't get that information. So what do we do when bad things happen? We must take them to the Lord and ask as David did, "(Ps 139:23-24) Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" God will use it for good but God could have caused it for purpose. We need him to reveal to us his work.