“Give your husband, Jeroboam, this message from the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I promoted you from the ranks of the common people and made you ruler over my people Israel. I ripped the kingdom away from the family of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David, who obeyed my commands and followed me with all his heart and always did whatever I wanted. You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made other gods for yourself and have made me furious with your gold calves. And since you have turned your back on me, I will bring disaster on your dynasty and will destroy every one of your male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel. I will burn up your royal dynasty as one burns up trash until it is all gone. The members of Jeroboam’s family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten by vultures. I, the Lord, have spoken.’””
1 Kings 14:7-11 NLT
There is a strange juxtaposition in this passage between David and Jeroboam. Whereas David pleaded before the Lord for the safety of his son, just as Jeroboam sent his wife to do, David did so openly. He recognized and accepted God’s right and righteousness to take his son away. Instead of this heart, Jeroboam tried to deceive God’s favor from him. It is interesting to note that in David’s case, God took the child because he was a direct product of sin and it was detrimental for the people of he was allowed and celebrated into the royal line. Yet Jeroboam’s child was the only good thing about his family in God’s eyes. It is possible that God might have spared him had Jeroboam been honest. Yet, the judgment was to be swift. Not only did not pursue the heart of David but he drove the people into double the state of wickedness that they had left in Egypt. He allowed God to be called two golden calves. This could not stand. God forgives but he is not gentle to those who openly mock him. We should never try to deceive God. It is better to be humble and face God’s wrath than risk mocking him.
JOSH McGARY. COM 