Compare Jeroboam's actions in 1 Kings 14:2 with Proverbs 12:22 on lying. Setting the Scene: Jeroboam’s Secret Scheme 1 Kings 14:2: “And Jeroboam said to his wife, ‘Please rise up, and disguise yourself so that you will not be recognized as the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there—the one who told me I would be king over this people.’” • Israel’s first northern king senses his dynasty is in danger (14:1). • Instead of repenting, he plots: “Disguise yourself.” • The goal: deceive the prophet of the LORD—and by extension, deceive the LORD Himself. God’s Clear Verdict on Deception Proverbs 12:22: “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” • Lying is not a minor misstep; it is “detestable” (abomination). • God delights in “faithful” (truth-loving) people. Other confirming texts: – Exodus 20:16; Psalm 51:6; Ephesians 4:25; Revelation 21:8. Jeroboam vs. Proverbs 12:22 • Jeroboam ordered a lie; his wife became the instrument. • Jeroboam’s lips and actions were “lying lips,” squarely in the category Proverbs calls “detestable.” • No amount of royal strategy can outmaneuver the God who “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). Motives Behind the Mask • Fear: He feared losing his son and his throne (14:1–3). • Pride: A king who once trusted God now trusts disguises. • Unbelief: He assumed God’s prophet could be fooled by externals. Immediate Consequences • The prophet, though blind, “heard the sound” of her feet and identified her (14:6). • A devastating prophecy followed: – Son would die (14:12–13). – Dynasty would be cut off (14:14). – National judgment would fall (14:15–16). • The lie did not protect; it accelerated judgment. Timeless Lessons • Deception invites divine opposition. • God sees beyond every disguise (Hebrews 4:13). • Truthfulness safeguards relationships, families, and nations. • Faithful speech aligns us with God’s delight. Walking in Truth Today • Cultivate honesty at heart-level (Psalm 51:6). • Reject “small” compromises; partial truth is still falsehood. • Speak truth even when costly—God honors it (1 Samuel 12:24). • Trust God’s sovereignty; lies signal distrust in His plan. |
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