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1 Kings 13:6 – Praying through the Bible #110 – A Prayer for a Religious Renegade
There is grace on every page of the Bible. Jeroboam is such an example. While all sinners do not deserve grace, we still need to examine “the sin of Jeroboam.” That phrase will describe king after king in the Northern Kingdom of Israel; and haunt them into destruction and Assyrian Captivity. And yet, God showed Jeroboam grace.
Sinful Solomon is dead. God predicted He would tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s son in punishment (11.11-13). Jeroboam receives God’s blessings to begin anew; and God promises him a davidian-like dynasty if he follows in the steps of David (11.26-38). Contrary to the promised blessings, Jeroboam reacts out of fear to his newly royal position: “The way things are going now, the kingdom might return to the house of David” (12.26). After seeking advice, receiving and following bad advice as did Rehoboam, “he made two golden calves, and said to the people, ‘Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here is your God who bought you out of the land of Egypt” (12.28). Sound familiar (Ex 32)? This old but new religion of convenience is “the sin of Jeroboam.” The four components to the sin of Jeroboam show followers still today:
1) Same God worshiped in a different manner (12.28). Golden Calves break the 2nd Commandment not to make “graven images.” Today, we should not worship God through images either.
2) Same located worship but with different locations (12.29). As true worship centered on Jerusalem, the Golden Calves were located in Dan and Bethel (12.29). Today we worship in Spirit and Truth (Jn 4.24), and no one should change it to one place being more holy than another.
3) Same priestly office but different qualifications (12.31). Anyone, except those from Levi, could be priests. Today, we should not change the qualifications for God’s servants, whether they are pastors or deacons (1 Tm 3).
4) Same feasting practice but different time (12.33). Jeroboam mimicked the Feast of Tabernacle, keeping the day, but changing the month from the 7th to the 8th (Lv 23.34). Today, we should not change the day the Lord’s Supper is observed or the weekly observance to something different (Acts 20.7).
After this, God sends a servant who condemns Jeroboam’s radical religious practices by prophesying against one of the deviating altars. Jeroboam reacts violently, reaching out his hand to command, “Arrest him!” (13.4). That outstretched hand becomes like false worship – withered. Jeroboam desperately says, “Plead for the favor of the LORD your God and pray for me so that my hand may be restored to me” (13.6). Rightfully the man of God prays for him. Restoration for the hand comes, but no restoration in religion. Nothing changed for this religious renegade even though God showed him grace.
Prayer Challenge: Because God answers prayers doesn’t mean He is satisfied with our worship. Continually examine ourselves and His word, and pray for guidance and grace.
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