Breaking the Chains 1 Kings 11-15

For generations some families plunge into disobedience and struggle. How can we break the chains that seem to connect us to the mistakes of our family? It can be done, but it must be deliberate!

 Key Principle: Our lives contain many moments of God’s grace. The right response to God’s truth will transform the outcome of our story!

 The passages contain the story of the house of Nebat, a man who died before the story as told in Scripture began. The story contains a litany of bad acts, displeasing to the Lord of a father and later a son:

 Jeroboam, the former warrior of Solomon began his ascendancy to the throne with a prophecy outlining God’s acceptance and a promising beginning (1 Kings 11:31). He then reversed direction and spent his 22 year reign defending his kingdom from defection by instituting a false worship system (to keep people worshiping in the north – 1 Kings 12:25-33). He was warned by God through prophetic pronouncement to give up the idolatry and return to a place of promise (13:1-10) but he did not turn his face from the sin (13:33-34). His son Abijah became ill, and Jeroboam and his wife tried to trick the prophet Ahijah for a blessing, but got a stinging rebuke (1 Kings 14:7-16) promising death and demise of the household.

 Nadab, son of Jeroboam, became king upon Jeroboam’s death (1 Kings 15:25) and held the throne for only two years. He acted out the idolatry of his father (1 Kings 15:26) and suffered a coup from one Baasha, a man who killed him during a siege of a Philistine city (1 Kings 15:27). The rest of his household was struck down by Baasha and those loyal to him, wiping out the house of Jeroboam from Israel, as was prophesied (1 Kings 15:28; cp. 14:7-16).

 What an example of principles that help to forge chains around us! The house of Jeroboam, son of Nebat offers important insights:

 

1. Never underestimate the influence of a loss of a father in the understanding of authority. Jeroboam had his father Nebat’s name, but apparently lost his love, guidance and influence. He was the child of a widow (1 Kings 11:26). Without a father, Jeroboam was guided by one parent, and may not have learned critical lessons of chain of command.
2. Don’t forget that rebellion in a parent will often show in the life of a child (1 Kings 11:26b). His mother Zeruah rebelled against the king because she disagreed with a building project he completed in Jerusalem that had a political dimension (1 Kings 11:27).
3. We may begin with a reputation of hard work (1 Kings 11:28), but that must be matched with faithful service to the Lord or it will end in tragedy.
4. We may note revelation of blessing concerning our lives from God above (1 Kings 11:31) but without obedience, the promised blessing will wither.
5. We can easily hear the good parts of God’s promises (1 Kings 11:35) but forget that all blessing comes with responsibility and warning (1 Kings 11:38).
6. Even when God has offered a position of blessing, it does not mean that we will not face hardship and even misunderstanding from the people of God (1 Kings 11:40).
7.  When we fail to trust the promises of God as a sufficient call to obedience and begin to believe in our own accomplishments, we separate from the promised blessings (1 Kings 12:25-26) and believe lies (12:27) and react with
   ungodly behavior (12:28).
8. God, in His mercy, reminds us of the promises and the disobedience to get our hearts to soften and repent. He often uses the revelation of His Word (13:3). He may even use overt signs (13:4) to warn us. The purpose is to get us to avoid discipline, and return to Him (1 Kings 13:33). His words may be severe (1 Kings 14:9-12), but they are for our good, and must be obeyed.
9. We should expect that our children will learn rebellion when we walk in rebellion (1 Kings 15: 25-26). They have their own choice, but their spiritual eyes adjust to the darkness we have brought in to their lives! The shows we watch, the language we speak, all become the life learning laboratory for our children on life!
10. God’s promises, for better or worse, get realized (1 Kings 15:27). He isn’t just speaking, He will act in our lives. He wanted obedience of a leader to bring peace to his children, but He will not allow that peace if it is founded in rebellion to His Word! (15:28-30).

 Our lives contain many moments of God’s grace. The right response to God’s truth will transform the outcome of our story! The wrong response will take us exactly where God promised as well!