29 About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, 30 and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. 31 Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes. . .” 37 “However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. 38 If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes 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 David and will give Israel to you.”

1 Kings 11:29-31, 37-38 (NIV)

26 Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. 27 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” 28 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, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 29 One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30 And this thing became a sin; the people went even as far as Dan to worship the one there.

1 Kings 12:26-30 (NIV)

Idolatry takes many forms as it recasts reality. It substitutes a lie for the truth of God, and then comes chaos, whether at the personal or the national level.

Jeroboam found a way to reestablish old sins under new policies of “care and concern” for the people; he played upon their desire for convenience: “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem” (v. 28b). For those in the south, Bethel was closer; for those in the north, it was Dan. Although the king turned to advisers (v. 28a), they were mere sycophants, who aided and abetted his evil desires. Absolutely no one cautioned him against this act, even though the children of Israel had already been severely disciplined by God for worshipping a golden calf (see Exodus 32).

Jereboam’s fear was amazing in light of the firm promise given him by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-31, 37-38). He had all a reasonable man could want, but he cast it away in the vanity of his own imagination. In so doing, he joined the ranks of fools who, despite great wealth, cheat at business, and despite a wonderful marriage, cheat on their spouse. As each one falls, the question sounds, “What was he thinking!?”

This is the ancient and enduring way of idolatry—a ruler or a people discontent with the good they have in God seek new, ungodly goods regardless of the consequences. Jeroboam simply had to provide an alternative to the truth and “conveniently” forget God’s admonitions; the people followed like sheep.

Beware of the policy that poses as convenience. Disguised as a benefit, sin often lurks behind plans which seem to help but covertly dethrone God. It can happen easily, without a fight. It all begins when a leader and his advisers devise ways to enhance their own power, over against God’s way, by playing on the weaknesses of the people. The Bible shouts this lesson. To ignore it is to court destruction.

article adapted from Kairos Journal

First Baptist Church of Perryville is located in Perryville, MD across from the Principio Health Center.