First impressions can be most misleading. Many deep friendships I now have did not start off that way. The initial snapshot we have of others, the conversation we walked in on, a few words spoken misunderstood, can give us a very jaded and unfair picture of reality. This same thing happens when it comes to knowledge of God. God's character is complex and multifaceted, and it is easy for people to grab bits and pieces out of biblical context to create a monstrous caricature in their minds. Some can only see God as a mushy "God of love" and others see Him as always furious, ready to dole out judgment for the slightest trespass. Only through scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit can a man begin to know God. Those who are known of God on earth can know Him, but our knowledge, experience, and sight is incredibly limited. Through eternity those saved by the blood of Jesus will be ever growing in our knowledge, appreciation, and worship for who God is and all He has done.
After God revealed Himself to the Israelites in power on Mt. Sinai, the people were overwhelmed by His presence. When they realised how far above and beyond them God was, they were afraid even to speak with Him! Yet this mighty God chose them, saved them, and made a covenant with them. God made a covenant with His people according to His grace, for all people are undeserving of His great divine condescension. God made a covenant knowing His people would not always be faithful to Him nor heed His Word. He knew they would rebel, break His laws, promote idolatry and sin, murmur against Him, refuse to believe, and ask for a king like all the other nations rather than being ruled by God alone. Knowing all His people would do: cast His words behind them, kill the prophets He raised up to teach them, spit in His face, and murder His only Son, God accepted them anyway.
If man had the foresight of God, he would not give like God. Even though people are deeply, profoundly flawed, He desired only good for them. Consider the longing of God in Deuteronomy 5:29: "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!" Does this sound like a God who is "out to get people?" God alone knows the insidious nature and the far-reaching consequences of sin and rebellion. God did not give His people commands to restrict them from having fun, but to protect them from their own wickedness. God knew what would happen should His people seek after mediums, pervert justice, worship idols, or fornicate: the land would vomit them out! Judgment would be required! God longs that people would have a heart to fear Him and keep His commandments. Jesus told His disciples in John 15:12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
How has God loved you? Jesus demonstrated the love of God by laying down His own life as a sacrifice for your sin. God knew people could never measure up to His perfect standard, so He made a way through the sacrifice of His Son so all could repent, receive the Gospel by faith, and have eternal life. God desires that it would be well with us and our children forever. With new hearts by grace through faith in Christ, may we fear God and always keep all His commandments. No matter what befalls us in this life, it will be well for us. God will see to it!
29 January 2014
28 January 2014
Your King Matters
In the biblical history of the Jewish people we see well illustrated the importance of who sat on the throne. The one anointed as king wielded great influence on the lives of the people: some walked according to God's laws, and others encouraged idolatry and great abominations. What is true for nations has spiritual implications for individuals. The one you pay homage to will dictate your spiritual health and vitality. When self sits on the throne, there can be no true peace. It is only when Jesus Christ is elevated to His rightful status in our lives as LORD and Saviour that all begins to be put right.
After Adam's sin in the garden, man was separated from God. God promised He would deliver His people from the oppression of sin and tyrannical rulers if they would love Him and walk in His ways. A day came when the people demanded to have a king like the other nations, rejecting God as their divine ruler. The majority of these kings were evil and led the nation into idolatrous practices. After the kingdom was divided between Israel and Judah, there was no shortage of wicked kings and queens! God in His mercy raised up kings who performed His will to forcibly remove those abominable rulers. Jehu was one of those kings. In him we see a picture of how wickedness is overthrown by God's anointed in both hearts and nations. A day is coming when Christ will return and mete out judgment on all evildoers. He will not spare in that day when God's wrath is full. While He tarries, today is the day of salvation.
After Jehu was anointed by a prophet at the command of God, he went on a rampage against Ahab's house. 2 Kings 9:22-24 reads, "Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" So he answered, "What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?"23 Then Joram turned around and fled, and said to Ahaziah, "Treachery, Ahaziah!" 24 Now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot." Joram sought peace, but there could be no peace because of the rampant harlotries and witchcraft. Similar to how allowing a gangrenous limb to remain connected to the body endangers the whole, it was time for Ahab's wicked house to be cut off from Israel. He and Jezebel had shed much innocent blood, and their blood was upon their own heads. 2 Kings 9:27 "But when Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he fled by the road to Beth Haggan. So Jehu pursued him, and said, "Shoot him also in the chariot." And they shot him at the Ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Then he fled to Megiddo, and died there." Ahaziah tried to escape the penalty of death for his grave sins, but he was tracked down and executed. His speedy chariot was no match for the demands of God's justice.
Jezebel was not able to avoid her punishment though she was wealthy and alluring. 2 Kings 9:30-33 says, "Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window.31 Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, "Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?" 32 And he looked up at the window, and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" So two or three eunuchs looked out at him.33 Then he said, "Throw her down." So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot." Jezebel killed the righteous and promoted the wicked. She questioned the wisdom of Jehu's act in slaying Joram and Ahaziah. What she did not acknowledge is Jehu had been anointed and crowned king. As king, he had authority from God Himself to mete out justice for the grave crimes which Ahab and his house had perpetrated. Without even acknowledging Jezebel's words, he commanded she be thrown down and promptly trampled her.
Do you see it? Jezebel is a picture of the wicked ruler of this world, Satan. A day is coming when Jesus will return to earth with a mighty army and throw down the ruler of this world. Satan's grip on this world is already broken, for on the cross Jesus crushed his head through His death and resurrection. Satan is a liar, accuser, thief, and murderer from the beginning. The day of his reckoning draws nigh. Jesus will give the command, and Michael will throw Satan down! Revelation 12:7-11 reads, "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
The parallels do not end there. King Ahab's daughter Athaliah was given as wife to King Jehoram of Judah. She was an incredibly brutal and wicked woman who seized an opportunity to usurp the throne from her own kin. 2 Kings 11:1 tells the tragic tale: "When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs." Athaliah ordered the death of her own grandchildren to assume rule over Judah. If a person is willing to do such unthinkable atrocities, is anything beyond them? God did not forsake His people even in that dark chapter of their history. Joash, son of the rightful king, was hidden from Athaliah's wrath and kept hidden in the Temple. When he turned seven years old, the High Priest Jehoiada called together a group of trustworthy men who were loyal to God and their king. He organised the coronation of the king without the knowledge or consent of the usurping Athaliah.
2 Kings 11:12-16 reveals the climactic moment, a day of rejoicing and celebration: "And he brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the Testimony; they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!" 13 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the escorts and the people, she came to the people in the temple of the LORD.14 When she looked, there was the king standing by a pillar according to custom; and the leaders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. So Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the army, and said to them, "Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not let her be killed in the house of the LORD." 16 So they seized her; and she went by way of the horses' entrance into the king's house, and there she was killed." Athaliah cried "Treason! Treason!" yet there was none in Judah more treacherous than her. Once the rightful king was anointed, crowned, and established, then the usurper could be destroyed. When the Anointed Messiah, Jesus Christ the Son of God is crowned and established in a heart by faith, Satan's grip is broken. All he can do is scream and tear his clothes, for his reign of terror and oppression is broken! Jesus is for us both King and High Priest, and His Word will endure forever. Satan and all who follow after him will face eternal death in torment, while those loyal to Christ will experience life and light for all eternity.
What a day of rejoicing it is when the strongholds of Satan come crashing down before the power of our promised Saviour! Satan's rule for a Christian is effectively over, and we need not fear him any more. When the true king is rightfully on the throne, the oppression of Satan is dealt a death blow. Let us not listen to his temptations to doubt or fear, but instead rejoice because salvation, strength, the Kingdom of our God, the power of His Christ has come, and thus Satan has been overcome! To whom do you bow the knee today: Jesus Christ or some usurper? Jesus is the KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS. It is rightly said of Him in Jude 1:24-25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen."
After Adam's sin in the garden, man was separated from God. God promised He would deliver His people from the oppression of sin and tyrannical rulers if they would love Him and walk in His ways. A day came when the people demanded to have a king like the other nations, rejecting God as their divine ruler. The majority of these kings were evil and led the nation into idolatrous practices. After the kingdom was divided between Israel and Judah, there was no shortage of wicked kings and queens! God in His mercy raised up kings who performed His will to forcibly remove those abominable rulers. Jehu was one of those kings. In him we see a picture of how wickedness is overthrown by God's anointed in both hearts and nations. A day is coming when Christ will return and mete out judgment on all evildoers. He will not spare in that day when God's wrath is full. While He tarries, today is the day of salvation.
After Jehu was anointed by a prophet at the command of God, he went on a rampage against Ahab's house. 2 Kings 9:22-24 reads, "Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" So he answered, "What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?"23 Then Joram turned around and fled, and said to Ahaziah, "Treachery, Ahaziah!" 24 Now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot." Joram sought peace, but there could be no peace because of the rampant harlotries and witchcraft. Similar to how allowing a gangrenous limb to remain connected to the body endangers the whole, it was time for Ahab's wicked house to be cut off from Israel. He and Jezebel had shed much innocent blood, and their blood was upon their own heads. 2 Kings 9:27 "But when Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he fled by the road to Beth Haggan. So Jehu pursued him, and said, "Shoot him also in the chariot." And they shot him at the Ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Then he fled to Megiddo, and died there." Ahaziah tried to escape the penalty of death for his grave sins, but he was tracked down and executed. His speedy chariot was no match for the demands of God's justice.
Jezebel was not able to avoid her punishment though she was wealthy and alluring. 2 Kings 9:30-33 says, "Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window.31 Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, "Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?" 32 And he looked up at the window, and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" So two or three eunuchs looked out at him.33 Then he said, "Throw her down." So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot." Jezebel killed the righteous and promoted the wicked. She questioned the wisdom of Jehu's act in slaying Joram and Ahaziah. What she did not acknowledge is Jehu had been anointed and crowned king. As king, he had authority from God Himself to mete out justice for the grave crimes which Ahab and his house had perpetrated. Without even acknowledging Jezebel's words, he commanded she be thrown down and promptly trampled her.
Do you see it? Jezebel is a picture of the wicked ruler of this world, Satan. A day is coming when Jesus will return to earth with a mighty army and throw down the ruler of this world. Satan's grip on this world is already broken, for on the cross Jesus crushed his head through His death and resurrection. Satan is a liar, accuser, thief, and murderer from the beginning. The day of his reckoning draws nigh. Jesus will give the command, and Michael will throw Satan down! Revelation 12:7-11 reads, "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
The parallels do not end there. King Ahab's daughter Athaliah was given as wife to King Jehoram of Judah. She was an incredibly brutal and wicked woman who seized an opportunity to usurp the throne from her own kin. 2 Kings 11:1 tells the tragic tale: "When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs." Athaliah ordered the death of her own grandchildren to assume rule over Judah. If a person is willing to do such unthinkable atrocities, is anything beyond them? God did not forsake His people even in that dark chapter of their history. Joash, son of the rightful king, was hidden from Athaliah's wrath and kept hidden in the Temple. When he turned seven years old, the High Priest Jehoiada called together a group of trustworthy men who were loyal to God and their king. He organised the coronation of the king without the knowledge or consent of the usurping Athaliah.
2 Kings 11:12-16 reveals the climactic moment, a day of rejoicing and celebration: "And he brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the Testimony; they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!" 13 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the escorts and the people, she came to the people in the temple of the LORD.14 When she looked, there was the king standing by a pillar according to custom; and the leaders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. So Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the army, and said to them, "Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not let her be killed in the house of the LORD." 16 So they seized her; and she went by way of the horses' entrance into the king's house, and there she was killed." Athaliah cried "Treason! Treason!" yet there was none in Judah more treacherous than her. Once the rightful king was anointed, crowned, and established, then the usurper could be destroyed. When the Anointed Messiah, Jesus Christ the Son of God is crowned and established in a heart by faith, Satan's grip is broken. All he can do is scream and tear his clothes, for his reign of terror and oppression is broken! Jesus is for us both King and High Priest, and His Word will endure forever. Satan and all who follow after him will face eternal death in torment, while those loyal to Christ will experience life and light for all eternity.
What a day of rejoicing it is when the strongholds of Satan come crashing down before the power of our promised Saviour! Satan's rule for a Christian is effectively over, and we need not fear him any more. When the true king is rightfully on the throne, the oppression of Satan is dealt a death blow. Let us not listen to his temptations to doubt or fear, but instead rejoice because salvation, strength, the Kingdom of our God, the power of His Christ has come, and thus Satan has been overcome! To whom do you bow the knee today: Jesus Christ or some usurper? Jesus is the KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS. It is rightly said of Him in Jude 1:24-25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen."
24 January 2014
Seek Out the Truth Yourself
The theme of the primary camp at Kedron last week was "Fruit." In preparation for the talks I assembled an assortment of interesting fruit facts. One day I did a demonstration and showed how to easily remove pomegranate seeds using a knife, bowl, and wooden spoon. Less than half of the kids had ever seen a pomegranate before, and they enjoyed sampling the fruit. From what I can tell, a pomegranate is an "aggregate fruit" that is technically a berry. Believe me, botany is not for the timid. It is very complex and at times confusing, so I tended to share fruit facts I could understand and easily explain. There is much about fruit I don't know!
The following day we had a local television chef and personality come and visit. The kids were very excited to see a professional chef they had seen on TV. He came with loads of different fruit and asked questions about them. What did he hold up? A pomegranate! "Do you kids know what this is?" Tons of hands were raised. "A pomegranate!" said the one he chose. "Who here thinks this is a fruit?" Again, tons of hands were raised in confidence. Why, we just learned about this yesterday! Easy! "You would be wrong," he said with a grin. Hands went down in dead silence. "A pomegranate is actually a flower," he went on to say. The next time he asked a question, only a few hands went up. "Not so sure about things, are you?" he asked. He continued with a terrific demonstration which everyone enjoyed.
Now I admit I am no expert, but what the television chef said had me thinking: was I wrong? Did I miss something? I could find no evidence to support his claim of pomegranates being classified as a flower, not a a fruit. But the thought came to me: I wonder who the children believed? Two opposing views were presented. Would they believe the professional chef, would they take my word for it, or would they investigate themselves to find the truth? I saw in that moment a microcosm of what people face when they leave the church into secondary school and university. They have believed something they have heard without investigating themselves. When their university professor stands up and tells them what they have believed is incorrect, they begin to wonder. There stands a professional, a man or woman with education and degrees they highly respect. It is at that moment many kids forsake all they have been taught in Sunday School as fiction or fables, and choose to side with an intellectual and professional person whom they believe is better qualified to teach them. Their lack of grounding in truth makes them easy prey to be manipulated and influenced to agree with this new teaching - whatever it may be. And when the cost in university is being branded as unintelligent or a fool for believing the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, most are loathe to pay that price.
I was very happy with the object lesson I was presented with. My prayer is that everyone chose to look up the facts about pomegranates and claims of Jesus Christ and His resurrection for themselves. Both professional celebrities and me can be wrong, for we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect. What a great reminder that we need to own our faith by going to the Bible as the source of all truth. Ken Ham says it well: "Stop trusting man's word!" Don't take my word for it, but choose to seek after the truth revealed in Jesus Christ. If we seek God with our whole hearts, we will find Him!
The following day we had a local television chef and personality come and visit. The kids were very excited to see a professional chef they had seen on TV. He came with loads of different fruit and asked questions about them. What did he hold up? A pomegranate! "Do you kids know what this is?" Tons of hands were raised. "A pomegranate!" said the one he chose. "Who here thinks this is a fruit?" Again, tons of hands were raised in confidence. Why, we just learned about this yesterday! Easy! "You would be wrong," he said with a grin. Hands went down in dead silence. "A pomegranate is actually a flower," he went on to say. The next time he asked a question, only a few hands went up. "Not so sure about things, are you?" he asked. He continued with a terrific demonstration which everyone enjoyed.
Now I admit I am no expert, but what the television chef said had me thinking: was I wrong? Did I miss something? I could find no evidence to support his claim of pomegranates being classified as a flower, not a a fruit. But the thought came to me: I wonder who the children believed? Two opposing views were presented. Would they believe the professional chef, would they take my word for it, or would they investigate themselves to find the truth? I saw in that moment a microcosm of what people face when they leave the church into secondary school and university. They have believed something they have heard without investigating themselves. When their university professor stands up and tells them what they have believed is incorrect, they begin to wonder. There stands a professional, a man or woman with education and degrees they highly respect. It is at that moment many kids forsake all they have been taught in Sunday School as fiction or fables, and choose to side with an intellectual and professional person whom they believe is better qualified to teach them. Their lack of grounding in truth makes them easy prey to be manipulated and influenced to agree with this new teaching - whatever it may be. And when the cost in university is being branded as unintelligent or a fool for believing the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, most are loathe to pay that price.
I was very happy with the object lesson I was presented with. My prayer is that everyone chose to look up the facts about pomegranates and claims of Jesus Christ and His resurrection for themselves. Both professional celebrities and me can be wrong, for we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect. What a great reminder that we need to own our faith by going to the Bible as the source of all truth. Ken Ham says it well: "Stop trusting man's word!" Don't take my word for it, but choose to seek after the truth revealed in Jesus Christ. If we seek God with our whole hearts, we will find Him!
21 January 2014
The Cost of Convenience
Convenience often comes at a price. You can purchase milk at the corner store near your house, but it will likely cost more money than at major shops. The cost for convenience can extend beyond mere monetary cost as well. It may be convenient to buy fast-food off the dollar menu, but it is often not as healthy or nutritious as food prepared yourself at home. Most of us will weigh the cost of convenience and decide accordingly. If ordering five pizzas delivered is only a $3 fee, you may well choose that option. But if it is a three dollar charge per pizza, you may decide pickup is the way to go!
We've heard the sad story of a "relationship of convenience," a relationship sustained by motives other than love and affection for their spouse. Dealing with strife and contention with little effort to reconcile seems easier and cheaper for some than going through a formal split. When reading the Bible, I came across such a situation with the Israelites. Jeroboam was made king of ten tribes in Israel, having rebelled against Rehoboam king of Judah. He knew the law of God required the Jews to go to Jerusalem to offer up sacrifices and assemble for the high feast days. Prompted by the fear of people potentially becoming loyal to Rehoboam and thus endangering his life, Jeroboam decided to set up idols in Bethel and Dan. His spin to the people, however, was one of convenience.
1 Kings 12:28 reads, "Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!" The convenience of these idols and the appointment of local men as priests proved too great a temptation for the people to pass up. "It's too hard for you to go all that way to Jerusalem," Jeroboam said. "Sacrifice to God close to home! Why contribute to the economy of Judah when you can invest right here?" The nation was led into idolatry and grave sin because of Jeroboam's error. He sacrificed on the altars, created new feasts according to his own heart, and promoted idolatry as good. The cost for Jeroboam was exponentially high: his family was cut off (1 Kings 14:9-10).
In the passage of time God raised up a king named Jehu who was zealous for God. He destroyed the house of Ahab, killed those who worshiped Baal according to the Law, and destroyed the images and temples of Baal. But though he was zealous for God, Jehu fell into the trap of convenience. 2 Kings 10:31-32 states, "But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin. 32 In those days the LORD began to cut off parts of Israel; and Hazael conquered them in all the territory of Israel..." It is a sad thing when God's people do not take heed to follow God with all our hearts. There are always grave consequences of sin, and in this case parts of Israel were cut off through conquest of their enemies.
Convenience is not a bad thing - in fact, it can be a great thing! But it is good for us to examine if our relationship with God is one we pursue with our whole heart. It is good to see if we have fallen prey to seeking convenience rather than simple obedience. Zeal for God does not mean we can sin without consequences. We do well to tear down our idols and grind them to powder once we are aware of them, and go back to Christ in humility and faith as at the beginning. Convenience always carries a cost, and our relationships with God and others are not worth sacrificing over it! Is any sacrifice too much to maintain a right and good relationship with God?
We've heard the sad story of a "relationship of convenience," a relationship sustained by motives other than love and affection for their spouse. Dealing with strife and contention with little effort to reconcile seems easier and cheaper for some than going through a formal split. When reading the Bible, I came across such a situation with the Israelites. Jeroboam was made king of ten tribes in Israel, having rebelled against Rehoboam king of Judah. He knew the law of God required the Jews to go to Jerusalem to offer up sacrifices and assemble for the high feast days. Prompted by the fear of people potentially becoming loyal to Rehoboam and thus endangering his life, Jeroboam decided to set up idols in Bethel and Dan. His spin to the people, however, was one of convenience.
1 Kings 12:28 reads, "Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!" The convenience of these idols and the appointment of local men as priests proved too great a temptation for the people to pass up. "It's too hard for you to go all that way to Jerusalem," Jeroboam said. "Sacrifice to God close to home! Why contribute to the economy of Judah when you can invest right here?" The nation was led into idolatry and grave sin because of Jeroboam's error. He sacrificed on the altars, created new feasts according to his own heart, and promoted idolatry as good. The cost for Jeroboam was exponentially high: his family was cut off (1 Kings 14:9-10).
In the passage of time God raised up a king named Jehu who was zealous for God. He destroyed the house of Ahab, killed those who worshiped Baal according to the Law, and destroyed the images and temples of Baal. But though he was zealous for God, Jehu fell into the trap of convenience. 2 Kings 10:31-32 states, "But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin. 32 In those days the LORD began to cut off parts of Israel; and Hazael conquered them in all the territory of Israel..." It is a sad thing when God's people do not take heed to follow God with all our hearts. There are always grave consequences of sin, and in this case parts of Israel were cut off through conquest of their enemies.
Convenience is not a bad thing - in fact, it can be a great thing! But it is good for us to examine if our relationship with God is one we pursue with our whole heart. It is good to see if we have fallen prey to seeking convenience rather than simple obedience. Zeal for God does not mean we can sin without consequences. We do well to tear down our idols and grind them to powder once we are aware of them, and go back to Christ in humility and faith as at the beginning. Convenience always carries a cost, and our relationships with God and others are not worth sacrificing over it! Is any sacrifice too much to maintain a right and good relationship with God?
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