5 But the LORD had told Ahijah, "Jeroboam‘s wife iscoming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and youare to give her such and such an answer. When she ar-rives, she will pretend to be someone else." - P48
7 Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God ‘I raised you upfrom among the peopleof Israel, says:and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 498 I tore the kingdom away from the house of David andgave it to you, but you have not been like my servantDavid, who kept my commands and followed me withall his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.
Jeroboam‘s son falls ill so his wife goes to see Ahijah the prophet. Ahijah getsstraight to the point: God had raised up Jeroboam, but now that he has donemore evil than the ones before him and has roused God‘s anger. The Lordwill bring disaster upon Jeroboam‘s house. His son will die and Israel will bescattered because of its sins. - P49
16 And he will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboamhas committed and has caused Israel to commit." - P51
17 Then Jeroboam‘s wife got up and left and went toTirzah. As soon as she stepped over the threshold of thehouse, the boy died. - P51
When Jeroboam‘s wife comes to ask abouher son‘s illness, the prophet Ahijah does not sugarcoat God‘s message. He delivers the distressing news honestly and directly. His attitudestems from an understanding that, as a messenger of God, he some-times has to convey uncomfortable truths. - P52
The circumstances around the illness of Jeroboam‘s son and his eventualdeath are a sign of God‘s judgment against Israel‘s rebellion. Jeroboam‘sdetrimental influence has led the nation astray, and they now face the#consequences of their sin. Jeroboam could have changed his ways be-cause God, in His infinite mercy, grants opportunities for repentance. - P52
However, Jeroboam stubbornly continued in his sin and led the wholecommunity to sin against God. This example reminds us to reflect onthe leaders in our own communities and how their words and actionsinfluence the behavior and growth of others. - P52
May we be concerned notonly that our own lives align with His will, but also that our communi-ties and its leaders do so as well. 1. - P52
God is a God of truth. Truth is something He deeply values becauseHe himself embodies it. Throughout the Old Testament, God re-sponds strongly to people who willfully refuse to obey the truth thatHe has made known to them. - P53
In particular, believers today acknowledge what God has revealedin the person of Jesus Christ. Our hearts can hold onto the truth thatall who have chosen to believe in Christ are now dead to sin and alivein Him. Being reminded of this helps us grow in our love for God aswe reflect on His love, mercy, and grace toward us. It also helps usgrow in our love for others as our actions and thoughts demonstratethe continuous change that God‘s truth works inside our hearts. - P53
Mayour lives embrace the God of truth and all that He has revealed to us. - P53
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