June 25, Day 177 – Faithfulness to the Word of God

1 Kings 12:25-14:20; Psalm 78:1-8; Acts 16:1-15

We now come to 1 Kings 12:25-14:20, and we recognize here that God will begin to judge Israel nationally for its sins of following a wicked leader. Earlier, in chapter 11, we read the following background: “I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it in your lifetime” (verses 11-12). Well, indeed, King Solomon has died, so the judgment now begins. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, is foolish and does not listen to the wisdom of elders, but rather, he entertains the contemporary nonsense of his peers (cf., 1 Kings 12:1-15). Just as Ahijah prophesied, this foolishness divided the one nation of Israel into two weaker nations – the northern kingdom under Jeroboam – and the southern kingdom under Rehoboam. Both Rehoboam and the rebel, Jeroboam, are like many of today’s young people who think they can create their own “truth.” God gave each of them an opportunity and a kingdom, and they both squandered their kingdoms willfully. Jeroboam said, “Here are your gods, Israel” (verse 28), and the people follow his silly lies! Who does that? Today, actually, lots of people fall for pure nonsense. In chapter 13, the story of the man of God is strange. It falls within the context of God’s judgment on Jeroboam and Israel, and it reveals the presence of false, lying “prophets” at that time. The man of God later accepted and was taken in by the same bad advice that he had earlier refused from wicked King Jeroboam. He refused to associate with Jeroboam, but - contrary to God’s specific Word - he accepted the testimony and fellowship of the lying (i.e., false, deceptive) old prophet. This shows us how any departure from the Word of God can lead us astray - regardless how reliable it may appear (even the testimony of a so-called “angel;” cf., 2 Corinthians 11:14). On a journey, the man of God was tired, hungry, thirsty, etc., and the “old prophet” took advantage of his weary condition and deceived him. This situation, in itself, should be a lesson to us. Here in 1 Kings, the whole account and its consequences emphasize God’s genuine concern for obedience. Within this context, this story serves to show us that living under the circumstances of false, selfish, deceptive, lying leaders - whether secular or religious - calls us to extreme vigilance and faithfulness to the Word of God, which is the only reliable source of truth. We cannot trust political or religious leaders who lie, cheat, mislead, or otherwise attempt to deceive us.

Psalm 78:1-8 clearly teaches us that we have a responsibility to teach the truth to our children and grandchildren (verses 5-6). We must not hide biblical truth from our children, and we must “tell the next generation, even the children yet to be born” (verses 4-6). Only then “would they put their trust in God” (verse 7). One of the reasons why so many people today do not trust the Lord is because - somewhere along the line - their parents abandoned this responsibility. God’s judgment upon this sin is severe (cf., Matthew 18:6).

In Acts 16:1-15, we see the gospel now expanding into Europe. In this section, we see Paul and Silas coming to Derbe and Lystra “where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer” (verse 1). The importance and influence of a Christian mother on her child or children cannot be overemphasized. “The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of” Timothy (verse 2). Here, we read how the “Spirit of Jesus” (verse 7) – which is the Holy Spirit – superintended Paul’s ministry and gave him the “vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us’” (verses 7-9). Indeed, these accounts of Paul, Silas, and Timothy – and then Lydia – are tender illustrations of God’s methods for ministering and reaching into people’s hearts to transform them and reproduce fruit for the Lord. This is the purpose for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.