RTW June 8
There’s Nothing Like the Real Thing
And Jeroboam instituted a religious festival in Bethel, held on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in imitation of the annual Festival of Shelters in Judah.
1 Kings 12:32a
My Takeaways
Something Old
Worship and sacrifice might not be convenient, and it might be costly, but it will always connect me to God.
Something New
Imitation: designed to counterfeit a genuine or superior article or thing.
Something to Do
He is worthy of the real thing.
My Takeaways: Divided
Something Old: Ecclesiates 12:13, 14 “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” No matter what the mysteries and contradictions of life are, it is my duty to work toward the one and only purpose of my life – living to glorify God, know God, and obey God. All the wisdom I need is within the pages of the Bible if I’ll only take the time to read it, understand it and obey it.
Something New: 1 Kings 12:29 “He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan – at either end of his kingdom.” History always has a way of repeating itself. Didn’t Jeroboam learn anything from Israel’s previous disaster with a gold calf? I wonder if Jeroboam was just ignoring this event from the past, ignorant of scripture, or just plain stubborn and selfish? Jeroboam establishes his own religion, one that is completely idolatrous! He abandoned the sacrificial system at the temple in Jerusalem, set up golden calves in Bethel and instituted a new priesthood, new festivals, and new sacrifices. Jeroboam is leading his kingdom away from God, a very foolish thing to do.
Something To Do: Don’t rationalize God’s teaching. Don’t be selfish when making decisions, make sure my decisions are consistent with Biblical principles. Learn from my past mistakes. Do what God wants, no matter what the cost in time, energy, reputation, or resources.