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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
1 Kings 15:25-34
The new Israel, the ten tribes that split from Judah and the house of David, started off on the wrong foot and never looked back. Jeroboam created his own meaningless religious system and Israel persisted in serving the no-gods he gave them. In thinking how everything in the Bible story has a point, and that it all tells the story of mankind’s relationship with God, I got to wondering what we learn from the division of God’s people. The thought I came to is that this is yet another image of our one choice.
The nation of Judah, though far from perfect, remained under God’s unbroken promise. The nation of Israel, however, chose their own way, which we see was doomed from the start. So there it is. God’s way, which leads to life in and through Him, or our way, which leads to death. Interestingly, Judah was much smaller than Israel. Because, “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” (Matt. 7:14).
1 Kings 16
Let me continue with the thought of Israel and Judah depicting our two options in life. It’s impossible not to notice the contrast between the leadership of the two nations. The House of David reigned over Judah all the way to the Babylonian exile, according to God’s promise. Israel’s leadership, however, kept changing hands. And not in a pleasant way. One conspiracy followed another, with the destruction of entire households. Turmoil, instability, and unrest were the norm. Though they were God’s people, their story looks a whole lot like that of the God-less nations around them.
God set His people apart to be different. He gave them new ways of doing things; ways that testified to the God He is. He does the same for us. If we choose to seek Him and walk in His ways, He helps us be different and covers our shortcomings with the righteousness of Christ. If, however, we choose to do like Israel and stubbornly continue in our own ways, our lives will surly tell the tale. As Jesus said, “For each tree is known by its own fruit.” (Lk. 6:44). So the question is, does my story look like that of the world around me? Or does it testify to God?
2 Chron. 17
The Chronicler said two things about Jehoshaphat that caught my interest. The first is, when Jehoshaphat took the throne he, “strengthened himself against Israel.” (2 Chron 17:1b). This may well be related to the military fortifications we read about in the rest of this chapter. However, given the evil waywardness of Israel that we just read about in 1 Kings 16, I think it is more than that. In fact, this chapter doesn’t just speak of Jehoshaphat’s military efforts, it also says that he went to great lengths to give instruction to the entire nation of Judah. I believe that effort was as, if not more, important than his military efforts. He was proactive in helping his people choose God and His ways over the wickedness of Israel.
Which leads me to the second statement. “[Jehoshaphat] took great pride in the LORD’s ways” (2 Chron. 17:6a). That is quite a statement! If there is any pride that exists in us, this should be it. As Paul said, “So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (2 Cor. 10:17 – quoted from Jer. 9:24). His efforts to teach the people prove this statement. He knew God’s truth and He made it a priority to shine that light throughout the land. Can the same be said of me?