The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Kings 12:15,
"So the king [Rehoboam] did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite."
In the previous chapter we read about Ahijah the prophet telling Jeroboam the Lord was going to split the nation of Israel by taking the northern ten tribes from Solomon's heir to the throne and giving them to Jeroboam to be king over them. This would split the nation as the Lord's response to Solomon turning to the idols of all the women that had led him astray. The Lord effected this by turning the people against Solomon's son, Jeroboam, through Jeroboam's own foolishness.
I find it interesting how the Lord utilizes public pressure to bring about the events he desires. Coming against rulers the Lord himself sets up, the crowd, the mob, the public, are used by the Lord to accomplish his desires. We see it here in the splitting of the nation of Israel. We also see it in a number of passages during the public ministry of Jesus, to manipulate events to secure the redemption of mankind Jesus wrought on that cross.
Here is an example in Jesus' manipulation of the chief priests and elders, "Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. 'By what authority are you doing these things?' they asked. 'And who gave you this authority?' Jesus replied, 'I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?' They discussed it among themselves and said, 'If we say, "From heaven," he will ask, "Then why didn't you believe him?" But if we say, "Of human origin"—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.' So they answered Jesus, 'We don't know.' Then he said, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'" Matthew 21:23-27. Note that Jesus masterful manipulation of the chief priests and elders was predicated upon his use of public pressure. We read in that same chapter, "They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet." Verse 46.
"So the king [Rehoboam] did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite."
In the previous chapter we read about Ahijah the prophet telling Jeroboam the Lord was going to split the nation of Israel by taking the northern ten tribes from Solomon's heir to the throne and giving them to Jeroboam to be king over them. This would split the nation as the Lord's response to Solomon turning to the idols of all the women that had led him astray. The Lord effected this by turning the people against Solomon's son, Jeroboam, through Jeroboam's own foolishness.
I find it interesting how the Lord utilizes public pressure to bring about the events he desires. Coming against rulers the Lord himself sets up, the crowd, the mob, the public, are used by the Lord to accomplish his desires. We see it here in the splitting of the nation of Israel. We also see it in a number of passages during the public ministry of Jesus, to manipulate events to secure the redemption of mankind Jesus wrought on that cross.
Here is an example in Jesus' manipulation of the chief priests and elders, "Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. 'By what authority are you doing these things?' they asked. 'And who gave you this authority?' Jesus replied, 'I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?' They discussed it among themselves and said, 'If we say, "From heaven," he will ask, "Then why didn't you believe him?" But if we say, "Of human origin"—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.' So they answered Jesus, 'We don't know.' Then he said, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'" Matthew 21:23-27. Note that Jesus masterful manipulation of the chief priests and elders was predicated upon his use of public pressure. We read in that same chapter, "They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet." Verse 46.
Many examples can be cited but this is enough to make the point. The Lord can and does use public pressure to accomplish what he desires, along with his many other approaches. This is not to say, obviously, that the will of the crowd is always reflective of the Lord's will -and I suspect most times not. But I think it good to observe how the Lord does work and bring about what he desires.
I expect he still does use public sentiment, and so an interesting question to ask is, from this past election season here in our country, in the spirit of Romans 13:1-2, what kind of role might the Lord have played in the outcome? How about the past two presidential elections? If we recognize the Lord's involvement, what might be the Lord's intentions?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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