HELPING GOD?

Dear Beloved,

HELPING GOD?

"Then [Ahijah the prophet] said to Jeroboam, 'Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand and give you ten tribes…. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you'" (1 Kings 11:31-38, NIV).

"Jeroboam thought to himself, 'The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David...' After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt'" (1 Kings 12:26-28, NIV).

A popular English proverb states, "Heavens [i.e. God] help those who help themselves." However, for the people that want to be in God's will, this proverb is a contradiction. Many instances in the Bible prove this.

The story of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, the first king of the break-away northern kingdom of Israel was one of such instances. When King Solomon did not do according to the will of God by worshipping the gods of his foreign wives, God promised to establish the house of Jeroboam as kings in Israel, but would retain a tribe for the house of David. God established Jeroboam as the king of Israel. Nevertheless, Jeroboam was crafty. He tried to help God. Why? He was afraid that the people would kill him and return to the house of David. So he made two idols and set them in two border towns as gods "who brought [the Israelites] up out of Egypt." It was to keep them from worshipping God in Jerusalem and consolidate his power.

By this singular action, the chronicle of the people of Israel was tainted with this reference, "the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit" (1 Kings 14:16, NIV. See also 1 Kings 13:34; 15:30, 34; 2 Kings 10:31; 13:2, 6; 15:9, 18, 24, 28; 17:21).

Also, Sarah and Rebecca schemed when the promises of God seemed delayed. The former advised her husband (Abraham) to have offspring through her maid, Hagar (Genesis 16). The latter nearly destabilized her family when she tried all her possible best to fulfill the promise of God for Jacob her favorite son (Genesis 25:21-23; 27:1-17).

Are you fond of manipulating God's plans and promises for your life? Your action should be according to the will of God. Remember, "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV. See also Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 14:24). He who does not run ahead of God is truly happy.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
This message was first sent out on May 23, 2004.