Ahijah the prophet, though blind, was not deceived, and he spoke very plainly to Jeroboam’s wife of her husband’s sin, and of the judgment of God upon him and his house. He told her that although God had placed him over His people, yet because of his sins He was now going to deal with him. He said, however, that although their sick son would die, yet he would be honored in his death, for he was apparently a child who had faith in the Lord — but the rest of Jeroboam’s household were to be cut off. How solemn and sure are the ways of God, and all the outward show we may put on, and the “honey of nature” cannot turn aside His government when there is departure from Him. Others may be deceived by it, but “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.” 1 Samuel 2:33Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. (1 Samuel 2:3). Let us remember this, even as believers, and pass the time of our sojourning here in fear. (1 Peter 1:77That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7).)
As we notice these things, we will bear in mind how the book of Kings brings before us Israel in her position of responsibility. It is therefore the ten tribes that are particularly before us, for grace had chosen Jerusalem, when the nation had failed completely, so that Israel would not be cut off altether. Under the kings of the ten tribes, called Israel, we see the nation reaping the result of their departure from God and His center. It will be noticed that they never had a godly king, although God in. His great goodness did send prophets to them.
Although Judah, which had God’s center at Jerusalem, was no better, yet grace had chosen Jerusalem quite apart from their deserving anything of His blessing. He could and did bless them on the ground of grace alone. Nevertheless they had no claim upon it in themselves, or because of their own obedience, as is borne out by what we read of the life of Rehoboam. This grace of God is emphasized by the words, “And he (Rehoboam) reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there.” Placed in such a position of privilege, he ought to have responded to God’s grace, but instead he and his people built high places, images, and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree. Is there not a lesson for us here too? May we not boast of being gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, and yet have our own idols, as Israel did? It is a precious privilege to be thus gathered, but how easily we can, at the same time, go after the world’s vanities in our personal lives.
We read that Shishak king of Egypt came up to Jerusalem and took away all the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. Surely this reminds us that if we do not walk in the truth we have, we soon lose it. We will never value it enough to “fight the good fight of faith” to hold it, unless we are walking in it, but we will allow the world and its glitter, of which Egypt is a figure, to take its place. Poor Rehoboam made shields of brass to replace the shields of gold which were taken away, and although they might shine and look nice, they were not the same. When we have lost something of the precious truth of God in its power, we are prone to try to show an energy and zeal for the things we have accepted in its place. How natural it is to “cover up” our true state of soul, when getting away from the Lord.
ML 04/15/1956