This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth. — 1 Kings 13:34
Twenty-five times in scripture we come back to the sin of Jeroboam. I don’t think any other name in the Bible is more often associated with sin than his. The sin of Jeroboam led to the fall of nine successive dynasties and the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Eight kings were assassinated; the sin of Jeroboam was a factor in every one.
Again and again, the LORD sent prophets to warn these kings to turn away from the sin of Jeroboam, but all of these warnings were ignored. In hindsight, it seems incredible, tragic, immeasurable folly and a vast loss of what could have been so good.
On the surface, it seems like the sin of Jeroboam is idolatry — the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan. But when we look below the surface, we discover some things that I think can help us understand how to uproot sin in our own lives.
If you read 1 Kings 12, you discover that Jeroboam had a problem. He was looking for a way to consolidate his power. Worship in Israel centered around visiting Solomon’s magnificent temple in Jerusalem three times a year. To allow his subjects to travel into his rival’s territory to worship seemed dangerous to him. It seemed more than dangerous; it felt suicidal. He needed a way to keep them out of his rival’s country. So he devised a solution. He created regional shrines. He needed something that would rival the glory of Solomon’s temple, so he created idols of gold.
The very thing that was designed to save his dynasty destroyed it. Jeroboam’s solution became his problem.
This is sin at its essence. A solution that becomes a problem. Finding an alternative to God. Building a house of cards with a foundation of lies.
What would cure the sin of Jeroboam? Taking his problem to God. Letting God tell him the truth – did he need the idols? Not once in all the Bible do we read of any king of Israel asking God how to maintain the kingdom without the golden calves. They had prophets. They had a way of asking. But somehow, they couldn’t bring themselves to do so.
If you struggle with a sin in your life, how do you get rid of it? You can fight the sin all day long, but if you don’t let yourself discover the reason the sin is in your life, you probably won’t accomplish much. What is the sin doing for you? Is it possible that God could do for you what you think the sin will do? Is it possible that God can provide the validation, the security, the sense of belonging, the vindication or whatever it is that you need?
I believe this is what God longs to do in your life and mine. He wants to be our solution. And He will be as we allow.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
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