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A Sad Page In History
(1 Kings 12:25-33)
The divided kingdom period in Old Testament history is not an easy narrative to
follow and learn. You can read and study the history of the Northern Kingdom,
then read and study the history of the Southern Kingdom. Or, try to read and
study about both in chronological order. In either case it is one of the most
difficult sections of history to read. It can also be discouraging to read about
God’s people living in such self-created chaos.
Nevertheless, there are vital messages to learn from this history. The sin of
idolatry is clearly defined. The emptiness of materialism is quickly perceived.
We can observe in this period the danger of trusting in political alliances with
nations and men. Positively, we are able to understand the value of remaining
faithful to God, though there be few. The strength of trusting in God and
finding encouragement with others who serve Him is apparent in this time. Most
important, in the divided kingdom period, the faithfulness of God to His people
is prominent. So, though there is challenge in the task, don’t skip this part of
Old Testament history.
Here’s a key event that initiated the chaos of the divided kingdom:
1 Kings 12:25 - 33 (NKJV) 25Then Jeroboam built Shechem
in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and
built Penuel. 26And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to
the house of David: 27If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of
the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their
lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king
of Judah.” 28Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said
to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your
gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 29And he set up
one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30Now this thing became a sin, for
the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31He made shrines on
the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of
the sons of Levi. 32Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth
month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So
he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he
installed the priests of the high places which he had made. 33So he made
offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the
eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he
ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar
and burned incense."
This was all about man! This was the fear and ambition of Jeroboam. This was
about human rivalry, human convenience, human will and human weakness. This
movement found its power in the readiness of men to worship according to their
will instead of God’s. Whenever this happens, in any dispensation, another sad
page in history has been written.
By Warren E. Berkley
Front Page
From Expository Files 12.7; July 2005
