Decisions

Posted 3/31/2007

• 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

• In the middle of all this idolatry, a prophet from Judah shows up with a two prophecies:
1. A named person (rare!), Josiah, will burn these false priests on their own altars
2. 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

• 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

All verses in this article