Jeroboam: God Like Dung

Synopsis     1Kings 14:9-17     5/15/019 

The prophet Ahijah spoke to Jeroboam’s wife. She sought to understand whether or not her child would survive. But instead, Ahijah prophesied against King Jeroboam’s wickedness. Specifically, the prophet condemned the king’s practice of worshiping false gods. And so, he foretold that God would cutoff Jeroboam’s – that no male heir would survive him to become king. 

After this, the prophet further informed Jeroboam’s wife that her child would die as soon as she returned to her home. And as she returned – the moment she crossed the threshold of her house – her son died. 

Jeroboam: Treating God Like Dung 

Now, God said through the prophet, “you have cast [me] behind your back”. Of course, this is another way of saying that Jeroboam treated his relationship with God like refuse or dung. God felt like refuse.

And this treatment provoked God to wrath. 

Treating God Like Dung 

Do I treat God like dung?  

Well, I’ve definitely had people in my past tell me that I have treated them like dung. And I know enough about myself to recognize the kind of selfishness it takes to give others the impression that I don’t care about them.  

And, as Jesus said, “whatever you did to the least of my brothers… you did for me.” 

Even in the absence of guilt and shame, I suppose I have to conclude that I have also treated God like dung. I don’t think I intended this. But still, I have allowed my own selfish dispositions to rule over me to the point of indifference for those around me. I am guilty.

The Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, son of  God, have mercy on me a sinner.” 

“And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matt 25:40 

And Yet, 

“I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:13