Highlights:
Jeroboam pays dearly for his sins (I Kin. 13:33-34) by the death of his son (14:1-16). From here on we see one king follow another, leaving a legacy of evil in the sight of the Lord (15:26,34).
Verses for Today:
Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. . . . And . . . Shishak king of Egypt . . . took away the treasures of the House of the Lord . . . and . . . all the shields of gold. . . . And King Rehoboam made in their stead brazen shields (I Kin. 14:22-27).
During the first three years after the division of the kingdom of Israel, the Southern Kingdom of Judah, ruled by Rehoboam, was greatly influenced to worship the Lord. For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem. . . . So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong (II Chr. 11:14,17). Most of the priests and Levites from the ten tribes migrated south into Jerusalem as a protest against the two worship centers of King Jeroboam in Dan and Bethel, as well as a new group of idol-serving priests.
When Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the Law of the Lord, and all Israel with him (12:1). Judah (the Southern Kingdom) did evil in the sight of the Lord . . . above all that their fathers had done. For they also built them high places, and (idolatrous) images, and groves (idol centers). . . . And there were also sodomites (homosexuals and lesbians) in the land; and they did according to all the abominations of the nations (I Kin. 14:22-24). It is no surprise then that God withdrew His blessings and protection from Judah.
After Shishak had lost the city, Rehoboam made shields of brass (bronze) and continued as though nothing had happened. These shields should have reminded the Israelites that their worship was worthless because of their unfaithfulness to God, Pity the poor soul that gives the appearance of worshiping God, but does not worship Him from the heart in obedience to His Word. His worship is worthless. Jesus said: Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven (Matt. 7:21).
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all . . . unrighteousness of men, who hold (repress) the Truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18).
Thought for Today:
Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:8).
Christ Revealed:
In Asa's ridding the land of idols and sodomites (I Kin. 15:11-14). Christ cleansed the Temple (Matt. 21:12-13; John 2:13-17). As Christians, we are the Temples of God, bought with His own blood (I Cor. 6:19-20; II Cor. 6:16-17) and are cleansed of all unrighteousness when we confess our sins (I John 1:9).
Word Studies:
14:3 cracknels =cakes or fig bars; 14:5 feign herself =pretend; 14:6 heavy tidings =very sad news; 14:15 groves =pagan idol shrines; 15:12 took away the Sodomites =banished homosexual male prostitutes; 15:17 suffer =allow or permit.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Government Officials: Rep. George Butterfield (NC) and Rep. Betsy Markey (CO) • Country: Grenada (97,000) southernmost of the Windward Islands • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 61% Roman Catholic; 31% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for more faithful Christian workers (I Thess. 1:2-3).
Optional Reading: Acts 28
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:13