Matters of the Heart

1 Kings 14:21- 15:8

Rehoboam was reigning in Judah, the southern kingdom, and he wasn't doing a very good job of it. He allowed the people to be into idol worship and act perverted. King Rehoboam is fighting with King Jeroboam. Also, the King of Egypt, Shishak, comes and takes their gold.

After 17 years, King Abijam takes control of Judah. Abijam walks in the sins of his father. His heart is not loyal to God and he ends up fighting with Jeroboam. He lasts for 3 years.

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This Sunday, we are to come prepared with questions for Mr.Z.'s ordination process. Do you guys have any that we should ask him before he becomes an elder?

Jeroboam

I Kings 13:33- 14:20

Jeroboam reigns over Israel for 22 years in the northern kingdom, with a sad ending.

In this passage, Jeroboam sends his wife to the prophet Ahijah to inquire about their dying son. Ahijah prophesies death for their son and also mentions that God will scatter Israel because of Jeroboam's disobedience.

Ahijah says that Jeroboam would not keep God's commandments or follow Him with all of his heart, to do only what was right in God's eyes, but instead Jeroboam made wooden images and provoked God to anger.

Application from Dad: When hard times came to Jeroboam, he wanted God's help, but he had been unwilling to obey God in the good times. There is a verse in the psalms about seeking God in the flood and how He won't hear you if you have neglected Him when times were good. Now is the time to devote your lives to Him, not in the future when you are drowning in responsibilities.

Jeroboam

I Kings 12:25-13:6

Jeroboam is the King of the 10 northern tribes. He is supposed to allow the Jews to go down to Jerusalem to follow God's laws. But he doesn't let the people go.

Jeroboam introduced idolatry, he made men priests who were not from the tribe of Levi, and he made new feasts against what God had ordained.

So a prophet comes along and splits the altar and gives Jeroboam a withered hand(well, God withers it) . The prophet prays to God and God is so kind that he restores Jeroboam's hand. Does the king now want to please God? No!

How many miracles would it take for someone to obey the Lord? That's really not what makes us want to follow Him. I think that it is His grace that compels us to obey.

Rehoboam

I Kings 12:1-24

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, starts out as the King of the United Kingdom, but within the first three days of his reign he blows it. What does he do wrong?

When seeking advice, the older men tell him to be a servant leader to the people and reduce their taxes. The younger men advise him to increase taxes and increase forced labor. So whose advice does he take?

Now the kingdom is split in two with Israel in the north with 10 tribes and Judah in the south with 2 tribes.

So many times in Solomon's proverbs, he tells young men to listen to the teaching of the older men and not to their peers. I'm sure that Rehoboam heard this from his dad.

Something for my sons to remember too. And why might an older guy have better advice than a younger man? Experience. Been there, done that. Made the mistakes.

What Is Solomon's Problem?

1 Kings 11:1-13 and 26-43

I think that we finished reading about Solomon. Dad read Deut. 17:14-17 as the key to Solomon's demise.

Solomon had everything for a good life- riches, wisdom, education, and lots of family. Yet he still went wrong. Why?

As you guys go through life, what will be your demise? Lack of money? Lack of the right spouse? Lack of a college degree? No, no,no.

Solomon's problem was his heart. Deut. says that we must not let our hearts turn away from God.

Where is your heart today? What are you seeking? Riches and wisdom and education and family are VERY nice. Just keep a pure heart, loving God, smiling through the day that you belong to the King, trying to honor His statutes and His commandments.

And He will bless you beyond ANYTHING that you can think or imagine. He blesses me with peace today. May He bless you with His peace.
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Beth's question during devotions- "Did God know that Solomon would go wrong?"

Anyone care to offer her your answer?

King Solomon

I Kings 3:1-15

We are going to be skipping around through various Kings (I think that's what Dad said).

Tonight we read about Solomon who has become King and has taken care of the troublemakers and is doing his job well at this point in his life. God asks Solomon what he would like for God to give to him and Solomon answers that he may be able to discern between good and evil.

Then there is the story of the two women and their babies, with the one dying, and both claiming the living baby as their own.

Dad pointed out how Solomon started so well. He loved the Lord, was humble, and asked for wisdom as he governed. How tragic, dad said, if at this point in his own life, he turned his back on the Lord, after all that God has done for him with giving him a wife, a family, a home, a job and blessed him so richly. Our spiritual walk must continue. Our past shows God's faithfulness and how strong He has shown Himself in our lives. This of course was all in response to knowing that Solomon didn't stay faithful or close to God.

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Well I am excited about getting my "college kids" home again! Guess I will have to contiue blogging as Josh never makes it home in time for dinner from his job.