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“Go Tell Jeroboam”
Go Tell Jeroboam
Wade Webster
When Jeroboam’s son was sick, he sent to inquire of Ahijah the prophet what would become of the lad (1 Kings 14:1-3). Like so many people today, the wicked king had no use for God or His servants until he needed something. Fearing that a faithful seer might not want to help an unfaithful sovereign, Jeroboam sent his wife in a disguise to the prophet (1 Kings 14:2). Although the prophet was old and couldn’t see, the disguise didn’t work. After all, nothing was hidden from the eyes of the God that Ahijah served (Heb 4:13). When the prophet heard Jeroboam’s wife’s footsteps, he said, “Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam” (1 Kings 14:6). Can you imagine how surprised she must have been at this salutation? The same prophet who had years earlier predicted Jeroboam’s rise to power (1 Kings 14:2), now predicted his fall. Jeroboam had done evil in the sight of God and he was now going to suffer at the hands of God. He had provoked God to anger and was now going to feel the heat of God’s wrath. He had cast God behind his back and was now going to be cut off (1 Kings 14:9-10; cf. Neh. 9:26; Psa. 50:17; Ezek. 23:35; Rom. 1:28; 3:18). Although Jeroboam did many things contrary to the will of God, the most grievous transgressions involved the changes that he made to the worship of God (1 Kings 14:9; 1 Kings 12:25-33).
Jeroboam Changed The Aim Of Worship
Jeroboam changed the aim of worship from God to golden calves (1 Kings 12:26-28). In his pride, he even went so far as to suggest that the golden calves had brought the people out of Egyptian bondage. As you may recall, Aaron had earlier provoked God to anger in the same way (Ex. 32:1-6, 25-29). Today, many are making the same mistake. They are changing the aim of worship from God to something else (John 4:23-24). More and more today, worship is directed at pleasing men rather than at pleasing God (John 12:43).
Jeroboam Changed The Address Of Worship
Jeroboam changed the address of worship from Jerusalem to Dan & Bethel (1 Kings 12:26-29). As you recall, Jeroboam was afraid for the people to go to Jerusalem to worship, lest their hearts turn again to Rehoboam. In like manner today, many are changing the address of worship. They are trying to glorify God outside of the one place that He has designated (Eph. 3:21). As you know, the address is no longer the city of Jerusalem (John 4:19-21), but rather, the church founded in Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2-3; 1 Tim. 3:15).
Jeroboam Changed The Attendants Of Worship
Jeroboam changed the attendants of worship from the sons of Levi to the lowest of the people (1 Kings 12:31). “Whosoever would,” he consecrated to be a priest (1 Kings 13:33-34). Today, many are still changing the attendants of worship. For example, they are using women in positions that God had designated for men (1 Tim. 2:8, 11-15).
Jeroboam Changed The Anniversary Of Worship
Jeroboam changed the anniversary of worship from the seventh month and the fifteenth day to the eighth month and the fifteenth day (1 Kings 12:32-33; cf. Lev. 23:33-44). As you know, there are many today who are doing the same. Some have changed the anniversary of worship from the first day of the week to the last day of the week, while others have changed the commemoration of the Lord’s death from a weekly observance to a monthly, quarterly, or yearly observance (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2).
The message that Jeroboam’s wife was to deliver to her husband needs to be delivered to many today. Those who provoke God to anger and cast Him behind their backs will one day be cast into a far worse place (Mt. 25:30; Mk. 9:45, 47).
