Attacks Against God

Scripture: Jeroboam said in his heart, “The kingdom will return to the house of David. If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.” At that point, the king got some advice and made two golden calves and said to the people, “It is too difficult for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 1 Kings 12:26-28

Observation: Jeroboam leads the northern kingdom of Israel to break away from the house of David, and his first act is to sever the tie to the temple in Jerusalem. To terminate the practice of temple worship to God, he creates two idols, places them in temples, establishes his own priests, and institutes new sacrifice and festival practices.

In other words, in order to break away from Rehoboam and the line of David, Jeroboam does NOT attack Rehoboam, Judah, or Jerusalem ... he systematically attacks God.

Application: We were having a family conversation just last night about elements of faith and disagreements about God and faith. This scenario presents an interesting context. Jeroboam does not hate God and is not a disbeliever. He even states the golden calves are representatives of the god who brought them out of Egypt, establishing a context of belief. Instead, Jeroboam is selfish and prideful, seeking ways to secure his kingdom and power, and thinking of ways to undermine Rehoboam and ensure his northern kingdom does not return to obedience of the line of David. In so doing, he does not attack Rehoboam, but rather attacks God.

Based on our conversation last night, I find that people still do that. When non-believers don't understand Christian thoughts on sin, they may certainly attack the Christians, but they are also likely to attack the sin itself. They find ways to undermine the teachings about the sin, even to the point of promoting the sin as culturally acceptable and celebrated. When believers disagree on a subject, they may insult one another, but they are also likely to get into theological debate. At the extreme, this includes making statements like 'the Bible got it wrong' and is open to many interpretations, thus not arguing with each other, but rather assaulting the very word of God.

Jesus said he came not to bring peace, but division. That division involves attacking truth - attacking the law, the teaching, the good news, the sound practices, the promises - often in place of if not in addition to attacking the opposition. Going back to the chosen people, attacking God has brought ruin. As a society, we are doing it again.

Prayer: Lord, may we be on the lookout for attacks on you. But mostly, please help me be wary of possibly attacking you. Yes, I have disagreements with others, and even other believers. Yes, I recognize there was a time in my life when I did just this - when in an act of "rebellion" against my parents I chose to fight against you. May I never again take a position that opposes you! May I never attack your love, teaching, word, and law. I would rather be thought a fool, than be found in opposition to you, my Lord. Amen.