“You have made for yourself other gods . . . you have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back.” (v.9)
The root of God’s judgment against Jeroboam is in His declaration against idolatry. As a result, Jeroboam's fate is disastrous: his child will die, all male descendants will be cut off, his dynasty will be destroyed, his house utterly burned, and all of Israel will be taken into exile (vv. 6-16). Although God had shown Jeroboam great grace in raising him up and giving him a kingdom, his failure was this: “You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods . . . you have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back” (v.9).
Jeroboam may have had lots of military and political accomplishments (v.19), but Scripture's assessment is clear: Jeroboam was an utter failure where it counted most. His early choice of idolatry ruined everything. Jeroboam ruled twenty-two years trying to make something of himself and his kingdom (v.20), but in the end it was all misguided. What truly mattered, his walk with God, was neglected.
Today's passage highlights the importance of a heart committed to the Lord, what Scripture sometimes calls a pure heart. None of us is without sin; even David failed miserably but, he was a man after God’s own heart. May we be the same.
The Truth
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
