Highlights:

Jeroboam pays dearly for his sins (I Kin. 13:33-34) by the death of his son (14:1-16). From here on we see one king after another leaving a legacy of evil in the sight of the Lord (15:26,34).

The gracious promises of Jehovah, through His prophet Ahijah, were offered to Jeroboam: According to all that thy soul desireth. . . . if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee (I Kin. 11:37-38). But Jeroboam made no attempt to follow the Lord. Although God bestows many privileges upon His people, they are always contingent upon obedience.

As an example, Jeroboam forsook his God-given opportunities for what he thought were political advantages. The withered hand, the rent altar, and the message of rebuke from the mysterious young prophet of Judah were some of the many warnings to this self-serving king who, in spite of the warnings continued to reject God.

Then, a time came when Jeroboam's oldest son became seriously ill. Surely in his heart Jeroboam realized that the false priests he had hired could not provide comfort or receive any message from the One True God. But it was also obvious that his calf-gods could not help him.

The seriousness of his son's illness caused him to send his wife, disguised as a peasant, to Ahijah the prophet whom he had ignored, to seek assurance that their son would not die. The aged blind prophet at Shiloh boldly said: Thou hast not been as my servant David . . . But hast done evil above all that were before thee . . . and made thee other gods. . . . Arise . . . the child shall die (14:8-9,12).

What a contrast between the clever, well-planned attempt of King Jeroboam to deceive the prophet of God, and the prophet's open, straightforward answers! God deals in simplicity and truth.

Satan is the instigator of deception and lies. Let us beware of any person whose conversation, conduct, or activities might pull us away from the One True God. We must reject the teaching of anyone who tries to promote other books as equal to the only God-inspired Guide to Life. The Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul to write: Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).

Thought for Today:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:8).

Christ Revealed:

In Asa's ridding the land of idols and sodomites (I Kin. 15:11-14). Christ cleansed the Temple (Matt. 21:12-13; John 2:13-17). As Christians, we are the Temples of God, bought with His own blood (I Cor. 6:19-20; II Cor. 6:16-17) and are cleansed of all unrighteousness when we confess our sins (I John 1:9).

Word Studies:

14:3 cracknels cakes or fig bars; 14:5 feign herself pretend; 14:6 heavy tidings very sad news; 14:15 groves pagan idol shrines; 15:12 took away the Sodomites banished homosexual male prostitutes; 15:17 suffer allow or permit.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Government Officials: Rep. G.K. Butterfield (NC) and Sen. Daniel Webster (FL) • Djibouti (447,000) in eastern Africa • Major languages: French and Arabic • Limited religious freedom • 91% Muslim; 7% Roman Catholic; .75% Eastern Orthodox; about 300 Protestants • Prayer Suggestion: Diligently seek the Lord in prayer and He will bless your efforts (Heb. 11:6).

Optional Reading: Acts 28:1-26

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:12