Depending on The Power of Lesser gods
Then Jeroboam fortified Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there.
. . . Jeroboam thought to himself, "The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam, king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam."
After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan.
And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other. Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites.
. . . On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, he offered sacrifices on the altar he had built at Bethel. So he instituted the festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to make offerings. I Kings 12:25-33
. . . Jeroboam thought to himself, "The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam, king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam."
After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan.
And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other. Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites.
. . . On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, he offered sacrifices on the altar he had built at Bethel. So he instituted the festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to make offerings. I Kings 12:25-33
The intrigue of man and the lengths to which he would go to secure his own selfish interests and agenda is mind-boggling. As to why humans would reject the God who made heaven and earth and place their trust in lesser gods is beyond understanding. But in a sense, it shows how the powers of darkness are constantly blinding the eyes of humanity to the reality of our merciful and loving God in a bid to turn humans against the only true God. This is in spite of all that God promises and does for us.
Here is a man, Jeroboam, who was blessed and elevated by God to rule over the bulk of the nation of Israel. God took ten tribes and their vast territory away from Solomon and promised Jeroboam that He would give it to him. God specifically said to Jeroboam that the reason why He was taking the kingdom away from Solomon was because he had turned away from Him to worship other gods. God fulfilled His promise and elevated Jeroboam to the throne.
God's words to Jeroboam were: "If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for a David and will give Israel to you."
But what happened when Jeroboam ascended to the throne? He quickly turned his back on God and set up places of idol worship for the people of Israel. He subverted the national worship instituted by God and replaced it with something of his own instituting. Was God unable to sustain Jeroboam after He had elevated him? So, why would he not trust and worship God? Why turn to lesser gods?
The God who placed you where you are today is perfectly capable of protecting and sustaining the blessings He has bestowed on you. He who began this good work in you will be faithful to complete it. Be steadfast in your commitment to the Lord. Do not lean to your own understanding and strength after God has elevated you. Do not turn away from the Almighty and depend on lesser gods. Don't replace God with anything else in this world. It only leads to a downward spiral.
Here is a man, Jeroboam, who was blessed and elevated by God to rule over the bulk of the nation of Israel. God took ten tribes and their vast territory away from Solomon and promised Jeroboam that He would give it to him. God specifically said to Jeroboam that the reason why He was taking the kingdom away from Solomon was because he had turned away from Him to worship other gods. God fulfilled His promise and elevated Jeroboam to the throne.
God's words to Jeroboam were: "If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for a David and will give Israel to you."
But what happened when Jeroboam ascended to the throne? He quickly turned his back on God and set up places of idol worship for the people of Israel. He subverted the national worship instituted by God and replaced it with something of his own instituting. Was God unable to sustain Jeroboam after He had elevated him? So, why would he not trust and worship God? Why turn to lesser gods?
The God who placed you where you are today is perfectly capable of protecting and sustaining the blessings He has bestowed on you. He who began this good work in you will be faithful to complete it. Be steadfast in your commitment to the Lord. Do not lean to your own understanding and strength after God has elevated you. Do not turn away from the Almighty and depend on lesser gods. Don't replace God with anything else in this world. It only leads to a downward spiral.
Prayer: Lord, you are the author and finisher of my faith. You are my Elevator and Sustainer. Please help me to hold fast to you and never lean on anything other than you. Amen.