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1 Reis 12

Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin

1 Reis 12

Utley on scorpions - There has never been agreement among commentators about the meaning of "scorpions" (BDB 875). Jewish scholars suggest it is a whip that hurts worse than a normal whip, possibly like the whip of the later Romans with pieces of bone or metal tied to the end of the leather thongs. Should you rebel or become disaffected, my father's whip shall be a scorpion in my hand. His was chastisement, mine shall be punishment. Celsius and Hiller conjecture that {akrabbim} denotes a thorny kind of shrub, whose prickles are of a venomous nature, called by the Arabs scorpion thorns, from the exquisite pain which they inflict. But the Chaldee renders it {margenin,} and the Syriac {moragyai,} i.e., [maragnai,] scourges; and in the parallel place of Chronicles the Arabic has {saut,} a scourge. Isidore, and after him Calmet and others, assert that the scorpion was a sort of severe whip, the lashes of which were armed with knots or points that sunk into and tore the flesh. This is a common phenomenon today – what some call advice shopping. The idea is that you keep asking different people for advice until you find someone who will tell you what you want to hear. This is an unwise and ungodly way to get counsel. It is better to have a few trusted counselors you will listen to even when they tell you what you don’t want to hear. Russell Dilday - With a dozen rash words, Rehoboam, the bungling dictator, opened the door for four hundred years of strife, weakness, and, eventually, the destruction of the entire nation.” (See The Preacher's Commentary 1 and 2 Kings - Page 238) 1 Kings 12:12 Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, "Return to me on the third day." Return to me on the third day: 1Ki 12:5 2Ch 10:12-14 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 10:12+ ‘So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.” SO FAR SO GOOD Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, "Return to me on the third day - This is as wise as Rehoboam is in this situation, giving himself 3 days. At least he takes time to ponder the two divergent opinions regarding what he should do. 1 Kings 12:13 The king answered the people harshly, for he forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him, answered: 1Ki 20:6-11 Ge 42:7,30 Ex 5:2 10:28 Jdg 12:1-6 1Sa 20:10,30,31 1Sa 25:10,11 2Sa 19:43 Pr 10:11,32 15:1 18:23 Ec 10:12 Jas 3:17 forsook: Pr 13:20 Related Passages: Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 2 Chronicles 10:13+ ‘The king answered them harshly, and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the elders. A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER The king answered the people harshly (qasheh; Lxx - skleros), for he forsook ('azab; Lxx - egkataleipo) the advice of the elders which they had given him - Now the trouble begins. Clearly Rehoboam did not read or at least did not heed his father's wise advice in Pr 15:1+ that "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger." Harsh (hard, obstinate, stiff, stubborn) (07186) qasheh means hard, harsh, cruel, severe, strong, violent, fierce. This term's basic function is to describe something as hard. The root qāshî apparently arose from an agricultural milieu. It emphasizes, first, the subjective effect exerted by an overly heavy yoke, which is hard to bear, and secondarily, the rebellious resistance of oxen to the yoke. Thus we see hard labor (Ex 1:14, Ex 6:9, 1 Ki 12:4, 2 Chr 10:4, Isa 14:3), Joseph's hard words (Ge 42:7, 30), Nabal was harsh (1 Sa 25:3), Israel was often described as stubborn or obstinate (Ex 32:9, 33:3, 33:5, 34:9, Dt 9:6, 13, Dt 31:27, Jdg 2:19), obstinate (Is 48:4, Ezek 3:7), oppressed ("hard") in spirit (Hannah in 1 Sa 1:15), hard or difficult legal question (Ex. 18:26), severe battle (2 Sa 2:17), wind (Isa. 27:8), vision (Isa. 21:2); difficult times (Job 30:25), a relentless sword (Isa. 27:1) and fierce jealousy (Song 8:6). The Septuagint translates qasheh here in Exodus 6:9 and here in 1Ki 12:13 with skleros meaning literally hard, dry, rough; figuratively in the NT; (a) of words harsh, unpleasant, hard to take, intolerable QASHEH - 46V - Gen. 42:7; Gen. 42:30; Exod. 1:14; Exod. 6:9; Exod. 18:26; Exod. 32:9; Exod. 33:3; Exod. 33:5; Exod. 34:9; Deut. 9:6; Deut. 9:13; Deut. 26:6; Deut. 31:27; Jdg. 2:19; Jdg. 4:24; 1 Sam. 1:15; 1 Sam. 20:10; 1 Sam. 25:3; 2 Sam. 2:17; 2 Sam. 3:39; 1 Ki. 12:4; 1 Ki. 12:13; 1 Ki. 14:6; 2 Chr. 10:4; 2 Chr. 10:13; Job 30:25; Ps. 60:3; Cant. 8:6; Isa. 14:3; Isa. 19:4; Isa. 21:2; Isa. 27:1; Isa. 27:8; Isa. 48:4; Ezek. 2:4; Ezek. 3:7 1 Kings 12:14 and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions." the advice of the young men: 2Ch 22:4,5 Es 1:16-21 2:2-4 Pr 12:5 Isa 19:11-13 Da 6:7 My father made: 1Ki 12:10,11 Pr 13:10 Pr 16:18 Pr 17:14 Ec 7:8 Jas 3:14-18 4:1,2 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 10:14+ He spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” REHOBOAM'S BIG MISTAKE and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions - Oh, how we need to watch our words, for these harsh words cause a rift that would last for the next 400 years and eventually led to destruction of the entire nation. I don't know if this psalm was written but it is one Rehoboam would have been advised to pray and practice Ps 141:3-4 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice deeds of wickedness With men who do iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. THOUGHT - This is a great passage to memorize and then to practice! Again we see that Rehoboam either did not read or heed the wise words of his father... Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. Proverbs 13:10 Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. David Guzik Rehoboam was a fool. Ironically, his father Solomon worried about losing all he worked for under a foolish successor: Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19). 1 Kings 12:15 So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat the cause: 1Ki 12:24 22:23 De 2:30 Jdg 14:4 2Ch 10:15 22:7 25:16,20 Ps 5:10 Am 3:6 Ac 2:23 4:28 that He might establish His word 1Ki 11:11,29-38 1Sa 15:29 2Sa 17:14 2Ki 9:36 10:10 Isa 14:13-17 Isa 46:10,11 Da 4:35 Joh 19:23,24,28,29,32-37 Ac 3:17 Ac 13:27-29 Related Passages: 1 Kings 11:11 So the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. 1 Kings 11:31-36 He said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes 32 (but he will have one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel), 33 because they have forsaken Me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the sons of Ammon; and they have not walked in My ways, doing what is right in My sight and observing My statutes and My ordinances, as his father David did. 34 ‘Nevertheless I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, who observed My commandments and My statutes; 35 but I will take the kingdom from his son’s hand and give it to you, even ten tribes. 36 ‘But to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may have a lamp always before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen for Myself to put My name. 2 Chronicles 10:15+ So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His word, which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. GOD SUPERINTENDS SETUP FOR DIVISION So the king did not listen (Lxx - akouo - active voice = choice of his will) to the people - Here we see Rehoboam makes a volitional choice to refuse to listen to the people. Davis asks "Are Rehoboam and his favorites arrogant, cocky, and stupid? Probably!" For (term of explanation) it was a turn of events from the LORD - NET = "the LORD was instigating this turn of events." NLT = "This turn of events was the will of the LORD." Notice a pattern seen throughout the Scriptures of the juxtaposition of man's (Rehoboam's) responsibility and Yahweh's sovereign control over "His-story!" (See related topic)

1 Reis 12

Utley points out that "Judah, at this period, was made up of several tribes - Judah, Simeon, Benjamin, Levi. (ADDENDUM - Judah, Benjamin and Levi are definitely part of the Southern Kingdom. It is less clear whether Simeon was also part of the kingdom. See the map above which shows that in the original land grants in Joshua's day, the tribe of Simeon was completely surrounded by Judah. Since Simeon was surrounded by Judah, it does seem likely that Simeon became part of the Southern Kingdom by default.) Jewish Study Bible on the sons of Israel - Benjaminite clans living within view of Jerusalem may have cast their lot with Judah (v. 21); those farther north may have joined the northern confederation. Judali, here, refers not to the tribe but to the kingdom, dominated by the tribe, that also included Simeon, to the south of Judah. 1 Kings 12:18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. Adoram: 1Ki 4:6 1Ki 5:14, Adoniram, 2Sa 20:24 2Ch 10:18, Hadoram all Israel: Ex 17:4 Nu 14:10 2Ch 24:21 Ac 5:26 7:57,58 flee to Jerusalem: 1Ki 20:18-20 Pr 28:1,2 Am 2:16 Related Passages: 1 Kings 4:6+ and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced labor. 1 Kings 5:14+ He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in relays; they were in Lebanon a month and two months at home. And Adoniram was over the forced laborers. 2 Samuel 20:24+ (DURING DAVID'S REIGN) Adoram was over the forced labor, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 2 Chronicles 10:18+ Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the forced labor, and the sons of Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. REHOBOAM'S FOOLISH ATTEMPT TO MEND FENCES Then - Time phrase. This marks progression in the narrative. In this case it will mark Rehoboam's "last ditch effort" to win back the Northern Tribes. Rehoboam was not willing to give up rule without a fight. King Rehoboam sent Adoram (SEE NOTE BELOW ON ADONIRAM), who was over the forced labor ( mas/mac), and all Israel stoned him to death - Their decision to revolt was non negotiable or to use a bad pun was "set in stone!" This verse demonstrates the foolishness and stupidity of putting forth the head of the forced labor as an emissary to negotiate terms! In fact he may have come as the "stinger" (so to speak) to "discipline (Israel) with scorpions." (1Ki 12:11) It seems that Solomon's great wisdom was not passed on genetically or even by "osmosis" as Rehoboam surely experienced his father's wisdom in everyday life! See STONE TO DEATH. And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem - As we might say today he saw the handwriting on the wall. He had acted foolishly but was not a complete fool when it came to self-preservation! To say Rehoboam's peace negotiator failed is an understatement. The deadline for negotiation had past and God's word was being fulfilled perfectly! Rehoboam may have been foolish but at least he recognized the writing on the wall so to speak and so quickly departs from Shechem preserving his own life. Clearly this event solidified the tearing of the 10 tribes from the nation of Israel. Philip Ryken writes "Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam made the wrong decision, choosing to be served rather than to serve. With Jeroboam’s rebellion, the choice came to Rehoboam again. The same thing happens to all of us. The opportunity to choose for or against God does not come only once in life, but every day, with every decision we make. What we think about, talk about, look at, work on, play with, spend on—these are all kingdom decisions, and they all have to be made every day.." (1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly) ADONIRAM - ad-o-ni'-ram ('adhoniram, "my lord is exalted"): An official of Solomon (1 Ki 4:6; 5:14). Near the close of the reign of David, and at the opening of the reign of Rehoboam, the same office was held by Adoram (2 Sam 20:24; 1 Ki 12:18). The name Adoram seems to be a contraction of Adoniram, and doubtless the same person held the office in all the three reigns. The name also appears as Hadoram (2 Ch 10:18). In the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) the office is variantly described as "over the tribute," which is misleading, and "over the levy," which is correct, though obscure. In the American Standard Revised Version it is uniformly "over the men subject to taskwork." Adoniram was at the head of the department of forced labor for the government. The record is to the effect that peoples conquered by Israel, except the Canaanites, were to be spared, subject to the obligation to forced labor on the public works (Dt 20:11); that this law was actually extended to the Canaanites (Josh 16:10; 17:13; Jdg 1:28 ff); that David, in his preparations for the temple, organized and handed over to Solomon a service of forced labor (1 Ch 22:2,15, etc.); that under Solomon this service was elaborately maintained (1Ki 5:13ff; 9:15ff; 2 Ch 8:7ff). It was not for the temple only, but for all Solomon's numerous building enterprises. In theory men of Israelite blood were free from this burden, but practically they found it a burden and a grievance. At the accession of Rehoboam they protested against it (1Ki 12; 2Ch 10). Nothing in the account is more indicative of Rehoboam's utter lack of good judgment than his sending his veteran superintendent of the forced labor department to confer with the people. The murder of Adoniram, and the ignominious flight of Rehoboam, were natural consequences. -- Willis J. Beecher NAME VERSE KING SERVED ROLE Adoniram 1Ki 4:6 Solomon Over forced labor Adoniram 2Sa 20:24 David Over forced labor Adoram (Hadoram) 1Ki 12:18 (2Ch 10:18) Rehoboam Over forced labor Given the similarities in name, position, and timeframe suggest these are the same person, with slight variations in spelling. 1 Kings 12:19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. Israel: 1Sa 10:19 2Ki 17:21 2Ch 10:19 13:5-7,17 Isa 7:17 been in rebellion, Heb 6:6 to this day: Jos 4:9 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 10:19+ So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. THE DIVISION OF ISRAEL ENDURES TO THIS DAY So - Term of conclusion. Based on the description of the stoning of Adoram and the fleeing of Rehoboam described above. Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day - In other words the split was irreconcilable. However it will not be permanent (to this day refers to the writer's day) for in the return of the King of Israel, the two nations will once again be unified under His rule. To this day in 1 Kings 12 (and throughout the Old Testament) means that the situation being described continued up until the time the book was written. It is a way of emphasizing that the effects of an event had a long-lasting impact. Utley adds ""to this day" This is a literary marker of a later editor. Since the northern ten tribes lost their freedom and national identity by the Assyrians in 722 b.c., the document must have been written between 922 b.c. (tribes split) and 722 b.c." David

1 Reis 12

Utley - This was Jeroboam's first capital. It seems, from 1 Kgs. 14:17-18, that later Tirzah became the capital (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:33; 16:8). It was not until the reign of Omri that Samaria became the capital (cf. 1 Kgs. 16:24,28,29,32), And he went out from there and built Penuel - The word built likely means he fortified or strengthened the city (NIV and NJB in fact render it "fortified") rather than constructing it from scratch. Penuel (Peniel) was located east of the Jordan River (see map above), near the Jabbok River, presumably seeking to strengthen his eastern border. W. Ewing on PENIEL/PENUEL - ("face of God"; Eidos theou): This is the form of the name in Ge 32:30 (ONLY TIME IT IS CALLED PENIEL). In the next verse and elsewhere it appears as PENUEL. The name is said to have been given to the place by Jacob after his night of wrestling by the Jabbok, because, as he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." It was a height evidently close by the stream over which Jacob passed in the morning. Some have thought it might be a prominent cliff, the contour of which resembled a human face. Such a cliff on the seashore to the South of Tripoli was called theou prosopon, "face of God" (Strabo xvi.2,15 f). In later times a city with a strong tower stood upon it. This lay in the line of Gideon's pursuit of the Midianites. When he returned victorious, he beat down the place because of the churlishness of the inhabitants (Jdg 8:8,9,17). It was one of the towns "built" or fortified by Jeroboam (1 Ki 12:25). PENUEL - 8V ONLY FIRST USES REFER TO A GEOGRAPHIC PLACE - Gen. 32:30; Gen. 32:31; Jdg. 8:8; Jdg. 8:9; Jdg. 8:17; 1 Ki. 12:25; 1 Chr. 4:4 (A MAN, NOT A PLACE); 1 Chr. 8:25 (A MAN, NOT A PLACE) Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask - 1 KINGS 12:25—Was Jeroboam’s residence in Shechem or at Tirzah? PROBLEM: In 1 Kings 12:25 Jeroboam’s home is said to be in Shechem, but later it is listed as Tirzah (1 Kings 14:12–17). SOLUTION: He may have moved later to a different location. Or, one place could have been a vacation or retreat home. It was not uncommon for kings to have more than one place of residence. 1 Kings 12:26 Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. said in his heart: Ps 14:1 Mk 2:6-8 Lu 7:39 Now shall: 1Ki 11:38 1Sa 27:1 2Ch 20:20 Isa 7:9 Jer 38:18-21 Joh 11:47-50 Joh 12:10,11,19 Ac 4:16,17 BEWARE OF SAYING IN YOUR HEART! Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David - Had Jeroboam been godly this would have read "said to the Lord" instead of "said in his heart" which (in context) reveals his inner thoughts, fears, and worries, which showed his lack of faith in God’s promise to give him the kingdom (1Ki 11:29-38+), his human wisdom and insecurity eventually leading to his downfall. Jeroboam's logic is fully expressed in the following passage. Just because the kingdom was divided did not release all 12 tribes from following the Mosaic covenant, but as we shall see Jeroboam clearly has no intent to follow the Law of Moses. Jeroboam perfectly expresses the diametrically opposed responses we can all have from time to time - fear versus faith. Dale Ralph Davis - Jeroboam then turns away from orthodoxy, not because it is no longer true but because it is no longer useful. He does not find it false but fearful. You see his thinking then. He must hold on to ‘his’ kingdom, and, since he cannot simply trust Yahweh’s word for that, he must make himself secure. That is the stimulus here for false religion. If you cannot trust God, you will use religion. In Jeroboam’s case, what matters is not truth but position—his position. THOUGHT - Look out when we "say in our heart" for this is often allowing our emotions (fear, pride, doubt) to guide our choices rather than an expression of a surrender and willingness to trust in the LORD in all our ways (Pr 3:5-8+). Said in his heart is looking to SELF for counsel. Our SELF is dominated by fallen flesh and godless reasoning and usually leads to sin as it did in Jeroboam's case. The Consequences of Jeroboam "Saying in His Heart" Led Israel (northern kingdom.) into sin the abominable sin of idolatry Reaped the wrath of God – An unnamed prophet foretold the fall of Jeroboam’s dynasty (1 Kings 13:1-5). Eventually his kingdom fell into he hands of Assyria in 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:1-41). Philip Ryken observes that "Jeroboam divided the people of God—not just geographically, but also spiritually. From this point on, there would be two nations with two religions. We should see this for what it really was: a lack of faith in God’s word. God had promised Jeroboam a kingdom (1 Kings 11:31, 35), and thus the king did not need to be afraid of losing it. Yet the promise was not enough for Jeroboam. He felt he needed more security than the word of God could provide, so he built great cities to protect himself. This can be a temptation for all of us. God has promised to provide for all our needs, but when finances are tight, it can still be tempting to worry about what we need. God has promised to accept us simply for trusting in what Jesus has done for us in his life and death and resurrection, but it can still be tempting for us to think that there is something more we have to do before God will be pleased with us. Will we take God at His word, or will we keep struggling anxiously for what he has promised to give? (1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly) Ryken goes on to add "Jeroboam did not seek the will of God through prayer; he simply followed his own personal inclinations. In this respect, Jeroboam sounds a lot like the young nurse that Robert Bellah quoted in his book Habits of the Heart. Her name was Sheila, and here is how she described her religion: “I believe in God. I’m not a religious fanatic. I can’t remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. It’s Sheilaism. Just my own little voice.” (Borrow Habits of the heart : individualism and commitment in American life page 220) The trouble with listening to our own little voice is that our sinful heart desires to lead us into sin. John Calvin aptly described the human heart as “a perpetual factory of idols.” If we listen to our hearts rather than to the Word of God, we will end up worshiping anything and everything except the one true God, which is exactly what happened with Jeroboam. (1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly) James Smith - A MAN-MADE RELIGION 1 Kings 12:26–33 “Hope of every sort—whatever sect, Esteem them, sow them, rear them, and protect, If wild in nature and not duly found, Gethsemane! in thy dear, hallowed ground— That cannot bear the blaze of Scripture light, Nor cheer the spirit, nor refresh the sight, Nor animate the soul to Christ-like deeds, (Oh, cast them from thee!) are weeds, arrant weeds.” —COWPER. Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, although of the race of Joshua, he became a ringleader in sin. Seeds of thought sprang up in his heart and mind rank and wild, but instead of treating them as “arrant weeds” he nurtured and protected them, as if they belonged to the Garden of the Lord. So the seeds of evil spread like thistle down. This religion of Jeroboam is like every other Christless religion. I. It had its Origin in the Human Heart. “Jeroboam said in his heart” (v. 26). There are only, virtually, two religions in the world—the one has its origin in the “I WILL” of God, the other has its source in the “I think” of man. “My thoughts are not your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8), saith the Lord. The heart of man is deceitful and wicked, out of it there can never come a system of worship that meets the claims of God and the needs of the soul. A revelation is needed; a revelation has been given. Anything opposed to this, or a substitute for it, is gross presumption and rebellion. II. It was for his own Selfish Ends. He set up his golden calves—one in Beth-el and the other in Dan—lest the people should go to Jerusalem to worship and the hearts of the people be turned from himself (vv. 27–29). It was a religion that centred on his own personal honour and aggrandisement. SELF is for ever the centre of every godless religion. The pride of life lies at the root of all mere human schemes. The religion of the scribes and Pharisees was just another form of the sin of Jeroboam (Rom. 10:3). III. It was Ostensibly for the Good of Others. “It is too much for you to go to Jerusalem” (v. 28). He pretended that it was for their convenience and advantage that these golden gods were set up. The religion that is born in the carnal heart can only make hypocrites. The great scheme of godless socialists are not one whit better than the devices of Jeroboam, they set up calves of gold, saying, “These be thy gods, O people.” It was a religion of selfish expediency and not of sacrifice. The thought of self-denial was carefully excluded. IV. It was Contrary to the Word of God. “The king said unto them, Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (v. 28). “Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox” (Psa. 106:20). The command of God was plain, “Thou shall not make unto them any graven image” (Exod. 20:4). The desire of the carnal mind is to walk by sight, and not by faith. The inventions of the unrenewed heart are sure to be in opposition to the revelation of the mind of God. “I thought,” said Naaman, but his thought was not at all in harmony with the manner and purpose of the man of God. Saul was quite in earnest when he thought that he should do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26:9) The ladder to Heaven must come from Heaven (John 14:6). V. It Became a Snare to Others. “This thing became a sin” (v. 30). The thing set up became the object of worship instead of a means to help the thoughts to God. Man is always prone to be more taken up with his own works than the works of God. The little ornamental cross or the prayer-book becomes more precious than the things which are invisible and eternal. The products of men’s own imaginations are exalted to the throne of the affections, and the presence of God usurped. That thing, whatever it is, that takes the place of God “becomes a sin.” VI. It has no Regard for Purity. “He made priests of the lowest of the people” (v. 31). This is characteristic of all man-made religion; there is no value set on inward holiness of life. Outward conformity and parade are enough to meet all its requirements. The consecrated sons of Aaron were not the kind of ministers Jeroboam wanted (Num. 3:6). Their strict adherence to the Word of God would not suit his purpose. It is so still with those who are satisfied with the form of godliness and deny the power. They wish their own will and ways carried out, so they prefer the “lowest” motives as their governing principles; the pure light of God’s Word would only reprove and rebuke. VII. It has the Appearance of Being Right. There was the altar, the priests, and the ordained feast, “Like unto the feast that is in Judah” (vv. 32, 33). But the whole thing was a sham and a mockery, a lifeless image of the real. There was all the outward semblance of the true, but it had no foundation in the sight of God. “No authority from Him,” no power to bless its votaries with pardon, peace, or hope. It was a thing destined to bring disappointment and the curse of God (chap. 13:2). Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. “Without ME ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). 1 Kings 12:27 "If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah." If this people go up to offer sacrifices: 1Ki 8:29,30,44 11:32 De 12:5-7,14 16:2,6 they will: Ge 12:12,13 26:7 Pr 29:25 1Co 1:19,20 Related Passages: 1 Kings 11:37-39+ ‘I (JEHOVAH) will take you (JEROBOAM), and you shall reign over whatever you desire, and you shall be king over Israel. 38 ‘Then it will be, that IF (THE CONDITION OF THE PROMISE) you listen to all that I command you and walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight by observing My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, THEN (THE PROMISE FOR MEETING THE CONDITION) I will be with you and build you an enduring house as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. 39 ‘Thus I will afflict the descendants of David for this, but not always.’ DOUBTING GOD'S PROMISES & LEANING ON HUMAN LOGIC If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem - Jeroboam's saying in his heart expressed his fear. He is quickly forgetting the promise keeping God's clear, but conditional promise in 1Ki 11:37-39+. Then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah - In his heart, Jeroboam begins to think like men think and sadly jettisons God's promise to build him an enduring house. Rehoboam had nothing to fear by letting the Northern tribes go to Jerusalem (as required for 3 annual feasts). Twice Jeroboam expresses fear that the people would return to Rehoboam's kingship. 1 Kings 12:28 So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt." king consulted 1Ki 12:8,9 Ex 1:10 Isa 30:1 two golden calves: Ex 20:4 De 4:14-18 2Ki 10:29 17:16 2Ch 11:15 Ho 8:4-7 10:5,6 It is too much for you to go up : Isa 30:10 2Pe 2:19 behold: Ex 32:4-11 Related Passages: Exodus 20:3-5+ “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, Exodus 32:1-11+ Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 5 Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6 So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. 7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 “They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them (A FITTING DESCRIPTION OF JEROBOAM TO WHO GOD HAD GIVEN PROMISES OF AN ENDURING KINGDOM!). They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” 9 The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10 “Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” 11 Then Moses entreated the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. Proverbs 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. Proverbs 24:6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. JEROBOAM'S UNWISE COUNSEL LEADS TO MAKING TWO GOLDEN CALVES So - This is a "deadly" term of conclusion, a conclusion based on Jeroboam's demonically inspired human wisdom (Jas 3:15-16+), and not based on peaceable godly wisdom (Jas 3:17-18+). The king consulted - With whom did he consult? First of all he consulted with his SELF (aka, fallen, sinful flesh) (1Ki 12:26)! The text does not state specifically who else he consulted with but most kings had trusted advisors. Unfortunately there is not always wisdom in an abundance of counselors unless they are godly counselors! (Pr 11:4, cf Pr 15:22)! And made two golden calves - Jeroboam invents a religion of convenience! This harkens back to the golden calf of Israel (see note) which Aaron made for the people (Ex 32:2-3+). But Rehoboam does Aaron one better but making two golden calves and we can understand his logic for this idol multiplication in the next verse. Philip Ryken rightly observes that Jeroboam's "disbelief led him into disobedience—in particular, the sin of false worship." (1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly) Bob Utley suggests that "Initially it must be stated that Jeroboam did not intend these to be idolatrous, but simply rival worship sites. However, this violated several Mosaic Laws. The people's proclivity to fertility worship morphed these sites into terrible idolatry. This eventually caused the exile of Israel by Assyria in 722 b.c." Philip Ryken observes that "Worshiping these idols may seem very primitive, but the heart of Jeroboam’s sin is still with us. Today we are often told that there is more than one god, or even that we can worship Jesus Christ through more than one religion. We may claim not to worship any golden cows, yet we spend hours basking in the warm glow of the computer terminal and the television screen, which constantly tell us to love the world and rarely if ever tell us to love Jesus or serve the kingdom of God. Which would be easier for most of us: to go a whole week without prayer or without using visual technology? People still use the same arguments that Jeroboam used to justify idolatry. There is an appeal to religious diversity: if one God is good, why not worship more than one? There is an appeal to chronology: out with the old, in with the new. There is an appeal to convenience. Why go all the way to Jerusalem, Jeroboam said, when you can worship much closer to home instead, in places like Bethel and Dan? So also today we are told that worship services should be shorter, with less preaching and prayer. The church should schedule its ministry to leave more time free for secular activities on Sunday. (1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly) And he said to them, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem - Notice his sneaky logic. He is saying in essence "I will save you the 40-50 mile trip to Jerusalem by giving you a more convenient place to worship." Behold (hinneh; Lxx - idou) your gods, O Israel - Jeroboam does not even mention the monotheistic God! And his expression (your gods) suggests he has never even heard the famous Jewish Shema "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!" (Dt 6:4+) THOUGHT - When you began to backslide into the seductive snare laid out by SIN it is amazing how quickly you forget the clear precepts and promises of Yahweh! I am sadly speaking from personal experience! That brought you up from the land of Egypt - Jeroboam seems to express some knowledge of Scripture for here he gives almost a direct quotation from Ex 34:4+ "This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” (also Ex 32:4+) At least Aaron's idolatry was "monotheistic!"