Year 4, Day 355: 1 Kings 14

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Discipleship Focus: Character

• Character: Having the interior life that is necessary to support the work that God sets before a person.  It is hearing from God and obeying.  It is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.

Both of the stories of Jeroboam and Rehoboam speak to character in a negative way.  First, let’s look at the hypocrite Jeroboam.  Let’s see how he puts his character on display.

When the chips are down and life really matters, look at what Jeroboam does.  He tells his wife to go and seek out a a prophet of God.  Remember that Jeroboam had set up false temples in the northern kingdom so that his people wouldn’t need to go into Judah to worship.  Jeroboam set up false places of worship to keep his people in his own country, but when he really needs to know something he himself goes to a true prophet!  That’s hypocrisy.  Jeroboam’s character is not about doing what the people need from him.  Jeroboam’s character is all about getting what he wants, being in control, and only turning to God when he can’t get himself out of trouble.

By the way, notice how God responds to Jeroboam here.  God casts him aside.   He isn’t fooled by Jeroboam.  God brings down judgment upon his head.

Then we have Rehoboam.  Here is the man who split the kingdom by telling them that he was going to be a harsh ruler.  No doubt that when the kingdom split Egypt saw them as an even easier prey.  So in the first military campaign against them, the Hebrew people lose their wealth.  Egypt strips the gold from their significant places and Rehoboam has to replace them with bronze.  Rehoboam’s character is on display.  His ambition brought judgment upon the land and he lost even more than he could have held onto had he just obeyed God from the beginning and listened to the people.

It is interesting to see what the character of people brings into their own life.  I know I have my own struggles, too.  Jeroboam and Rehoboam are not the only people who are afflicted by their deficits in character!  There are plenty of places for me to examine my character and see where my own deficiencies bring trouble to my life.  It is a good lesson to learn as I should be striving for godliness.

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