April 4, 2025 – 1 Kings 12-14

In these chapters it is right after Solomon’s Death and the kingdom divides into the northern and southern kingdom. The people came to Rehoboam who decided to follow his peers’ advice rather than the seasoned advice of his Father’s councilors to lighten the people load. So, God uses Rehoboams foolishness to fulfill what he had promised to Solomon that because of his disobedience the kingdom would be taken from him and given to another. That person was Jeroboam. God had Promised to Jeroboam (See the end of Chapter 11) that If Jeroboam walked as David had walk and kept God’s Commands God would give Jeroboam a lasting dynasty. But Jeroboam did not have faith in God’s Promises. He was worried that if the people continued to worship in Jerusalem which is where God had told the people to worship the people would reject him as king. So, he took building his dynasty into his own hands. He made not one but two Golden calves like Israel did when they came out of Egypt. He Sets up a sham religion that mimics the true worship of the Lord.  So not only did he not trust the Lord to fulfill his promise but he then walks in the opposite way of what God has commanded. We need to be careful that we do not follow the example of Jeroboam who God had given him many Promises but he rejected them and rejected God. Peter tells us that God has give us very great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). He has Promised to redeem the brokenness that is in this world. And he will bring us to be with him for all eternity. He will be our God and We will be his people. As John will say at the end of Revelation God’s Words are “Faithful and true” (22:6). When God promises something, he will bring it about. May we remember God’s faithfulness to his promises today.