7.06.2015

1 Kings 14-15

14
Jeroboam doesn't consult his prophets, but Judah's when it really counts (his son is sick).
God prophesies the complete demise of his house, and the death of the child as she re-enters her house, to his wife.  Jeroboam reigns 22 years, though.

In Judah, they start to worship like pagans.  Within 5 years, Egypt conquers and takes all their temple treasure.  Rehoboam tries to act like he's still fine (vss. 27-28).  Solomon's question in Ecclesiastes is answered: when I die, what will happen to all my life's work and legacy?  Israel and Judah fight constantly.

15
Rehoboam's son Abijam reigns just like Rehoboam - ungodly.  But God spares him and Judah for the sake of His promise to David.

Abijam's son is Asa.  He gets rid of as much paganism as politically possible, but the people love the high places.  He allies with Syria against Israel (2 Chronicles 16 shows the folly of this).

Jeroboam's son Nadab is assassinated soon after taking the throne by Baasha, who kills all Jeroboam's house.  This fulfills the prophecy from chapter 14.


How this is about Jesus
He prophesies the doom of Israel's house, too (Matthew 21:43-46), and the people believed He was a prophet as He said it.  It happened within one generation.
He plunders the strongman, instead of letting pagans plunder Him.
We are spared destruction by God for the sake of God's promise to Jesus.


Application
Like for Asa's reforms, piety has a corporate dimension we seldom consider - a culture of societal expectations that is more or less in line with God's Word.  You can reform your own life a great deal, but will hit some walls when society isn't on the same page (examples: Sabbath and holiday observance, and exposure to impurity/profanity).

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