1 Kings 12-14

April 15

1 Kings 12-14

     George Santayana wrote a quote often attributed to Winston Churchill; “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Perhaps that is the reason God told the Israelites to tell the stories to their children and to their children’s children. Jeroboam forgot to read about what happened when the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea. While Moses was on Mount Sinai with God, Aaron and the Israelites built a golden calf. We are told; "He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”" (Exodus 32:4, NIV) The writer of 1 Kings tells us; "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.”" (1 Kings 12:28, NIV)

   Three thousand people died due to Aaron’s calf. Jeroboam’s entire family died due to his calves. God told Jeroboam; “You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back." (1 Kings 14:9b, NIV) People may not make calves of gold, but people continue to worship idols instead of worshiping God. There are the idols of money, fame, power, good looks, and the list continues. People constantly create a god in our image instead of allowing God to create us in His image.

     God wants to bless us, but He will not bless us if we continue to run after idols and continue to disobey Him. It is good for us to examine our lives periodically and to ask ourselves how we spend our time, our money, and our talents. That will give you a pretty good idea of what or who  you worship.