How can we avoid following "the ways of Jeroboam" in our lives today? Setting the Scene • Jeroboam, first king of the northern kingdom, deliberately led Israel away from true worship (1 Kings 12:26-33). • His example became a recurring indictment: “Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin” (1 Kings 15:34). • Scripture treats his choices as a clear warning for every generation (Romans 15:4). Jeroboam’s Pattern of Sin • Fear over faith: “Jeroboam said in his heart, ‘The kingdom might now revert to the house of David.’ … So the king took counsel and made two golden calves” (1 Kings 12:26-28). • Man-made worship: set up calves at Bethel and Dan, claiming, “Behold your gods, O Israel” (v. 28). • Unauthorized leaders: “He made priests from every class of people who were not Levites” (v. 31). • Redefined God’s calendar: “Jeroboam instituted a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing” (v. 32). • Hardened heart despite warning (1 Kings 13:33-34). Modern Parallels • Substituting personal opinion or cultural trends for God’s clear commands (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Treating convenience as the test of truth—choosing “nearer calves” instead of the costly journey to God’s appointed place (Luke 9:23). • Elevating unqualified voices and sidelining biblical authority (2 Timothy 4:3). • Rescheduling, reshaping, or diluting corporate worship to suit taste rather than Scripture (Hebrews 10:24-25). Practical Steps to Avoid Jeroboam’s Ways • Ground every decision in God’s Word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). • Examine motives: ask whether fear, pride, or self-preservation is steering the choice (James 3:14-17). • Guard the purity of worship: hold to the gospel, the ordinances, and biblical leadership qualifications (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). • Stay accountable within a faithful local church; isolated leaders drift (Hebrews 13:17). • Remember God’s sufficiency: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:5). • Respond quickly to conviction; Jeroboam “did not turn from his evil way” (1 Kings 13:33). Encouraging Promises When We Obey • God honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30). • Steadfast obedience brings stability: “He will be like a tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:3). • Faithfulness safeguards future generations: “The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him” (Proverbs 20:7). |
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