Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Identity
- Identity: Our true identity comes from the Father. Only when our identity comes from God can we be obedient in ways that satisfy our person to our core.
On the
surface of this passage, Abijah comes off as a really spiritual leader. He goes out to battle and reminds Jeroboam’s
army that God is on their side. He
reminds them that they have the Levitical priests. He reminds them that he is the leader in the
line of David. He reminds the people
that they are the ones who rebelled against Rehoboam. When you look at this, it’s easy to see
Abijah in the right.
So, then,
why does the account in 1 Kings 15 tell us that he was evil and walked evilly
in the ways of his father Rehoboam?
When we look
more deeply, we can get a glimpse of Abijah’s identity. He seems like he gets the stories right, but
he tells the story in a way that doesn’t tell the whole story. Yes, the kingdom of Judah has the
Levites. But remember that the Chronicler
told us a few chapters back that the Levites only remained faithful for about 3
years. When it comes to the rebellion of
Jeroboam, what Abijah fails to say is that the people came to serve Rehoboam
and it was Rehoboam’s arrogant ambition that drove the people away into
rebellion. Don’t forget that Abijah is
said to have a number of wives as his fathers did who came before him.
What we see
in Abijah is an identity that is self-serving.
Abijah tells parts of the truth, but he creatively tells the truth to
paint an image that serves him in its lack of honesty. He uses God when the idea of God serves him
and his agenda, but he doesn’t truly live up to God’s ways. This identity is really what leads us to
understand that Abijah is an evil king who walks in the evil ways of his
father.
<><
No comments:
Post a Comment