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1 Kings 16:8-20 – Miscalculation
Miscalculation. Everyone does it, especially when discovering that the month lasts longer than the paycheck. In baseball, a runner tries to leg-out a triple, and miscalculates the strong arm of the right fielder – “He’s Out!” In fact, I miscalculated in every math test I ever took! Have you ever noticed how often we miscalculate in our favor only to later discover the miscalculation is not in our favor?
A serious miscalculation often takes place in churches with Christians making the same mistake as Zimri; hopefully with a different ending. He reigns in Israel for only seven days (1 Kings 16:7). Rebelling against his monarchial leader, Elah, Zimri murders the king and his entire household, including the king’s friends, making for a complete annihilation. Accomplishing his gruesome goal, Zimri sits upon the throne of Israel…oh so briefly.
What happens? The army makes Omri king (16:16). Did Zimri miscalculate his popularity? He commits suicide by burning the palace down upon himself (16:18).
How does this apply to churches? Let’s put aside for the moment, needed acts of standing up for the Lord by standing against the majority or leaders. The application here is, people trying to split churches by miscalculating their position, popularity and power. Whether it is preachers against elders, elders against the congregation, or one of the saints marshalling his people behind him, battle lines are drawn.
When the position is more personality driven than doctrinal, the usurpers of peace might be surprised that they don’t have as many “friends” ready to stand with them and fight for them. They miscalculate. In war, miscalculation generally leads to the death of the conspirator. In churches, repentance is always an option. Never miscalculate the power of grace and forgiveness.
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