In 1 Kings 14, we get a greater understanding of how God feels about people that go against Him. These people do not have God’s mercy upon them, but His wrath is upon such instead. And if these people go so far as to also teach their family and others these same wicked and awful things, then God is even more upset with them. I am sure you know of people like this, but if you cannot think of anybody, then think of people that do the following… People that teach their children that homosexuality is ok, and even practice it in their homes. People that teach their children that it is alright to have an abortion and even bring them to a place to get it done. People that are PC and Console gamers and who teach their children that killing in these video games is alright. People that watch pornography, and even in front of their children, which leads them to also have an addiction themselves. People can be having sex outside of marriage and even be in adultery, and then having their children see this and think it is ok to do. The same can be for those people that have drugs and alcohol in their homes, where their children also begin to have the same addictions also over time. Everything I just mentioned goes against God, but it does not stop with those things. Now, for you to understand what happened in this chapter, let me give you a brief synopsis of the man that it is speaking about, which is Jeroboam. This man went against God and began to make idols and altars for them. He was also a king and had his people become priests to his man-made gods, and had them worship them also. This is the evil that he brought upon the people of Judah. Therefore, Ahijah spoke to him about all the evil and how God felt about him and his family, because of these things. Listen up, for this is how God feels about anyone that is willfully going against God’s will.
It was Ahijah, the prophet, who said the following to Jeroboam, 1“go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, and rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.” (1 Kings 14:7-10) And because of what Rehoboam also did in his idolatry, 1“Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.” (1 Kings 14:22) It was in this time that Jeroboam’s son died, who was sick. I hope you learned something about what God said through this prophet. He said that because he brought evil upon himself and others that he provoked God to anger. In doing this, God brought evil upon him and his house. What you will find out about God in these passages is that if you are not for God, then He is against you also. His blessings are shut up from you, while the evils of this world are open to fall down upon you. Even hell awaits these types of people when they die, lest they repent and come to Jesus. We cannot walk in sin and also be an enabler for evil and still think we are saved. Please think about this, for faith in God is also a new life in Christ.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will know Your ways and also teach their children to follow Your teachings also. That people will no longer live under their own man-made ideas and bad habits, but desire to be cleansed from all their sins. Convict these people that are living in sin and are also not being a good example to their spouse and children, to repent. They don’t realize that they are provoking You to anger because of their wicked lifestyle. However, it will be very apparent to every person that is currently leading their children and others to the opposite side of doing Your will that hell is real. That this place was prepared for the devil and his angels but is now for every unbeliever, and those that practice wickedness, while in their sins. Lord, it is hard to believe that we have so many wolves in sheep’s clothing at church, where if I was to walk into one of their homes, that I would not be filled with the Holy Spirit, but demonic forces instead. So many people have not made their homes a house of prayer and worship to You, oh Lord, but for the things of the flesh and their idols instead. They have not flushed out of their lives and houses the things that will lead them apart from You, but have brought in more of these same things over time. And so we have children that are now hooked on drugs, alcohol, and pornography, because of the bad influences of their parents. We also have children that rise up thinking that abortion and homosexuality are ok since it was never spoken against in their homes. We also have children grown up that are hooked on violent video games, TV, and movies, which take so much time away from You. So I pray that these people will repent and that children will also see the change in their parent’s eyes. Then will they also rethink what they are doing. I know that change is difficult for some people but so worth it in the end. I love You, Lord. I give You praise and glory, this day and forever. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.