There are certain characters in the Old Testament that acted as catalysts in bringing Israel under God’s judgement. One of such persons was Solomon’s former military chief, Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who later became king of the 10 tribes. We are not here to sit in judgment against anyone. God can use anybody as an instrument of His judgement. We saw this in Judges when heathen kings were unleashed against Israel because of its idolatry.
The Northern kingdom was destroyed by Assyria, just as Judah was later punished through the instrumentality of the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. What is important to note is that God does not willingly afflict the sons of men (Lamentations 3:33). If Solomon had not led Israel into idolatry, there would not have been any need for the judgement, which cost his son, Rehoboam the 10 tribes. Anyway, we conduct these interviews to give our guests the opportunity to share their experiences with us.
Shepherd Heart: We are glad to have you with us, King Jeroboam.
King Jeroboam: The feeling is mutual. Thanks for having me.
Shepherd Heart: We sometimes use the phrase, “Child of circumstance” to describe a person whose destiny is tied to something greater than himself or herself. For instance, Queen Esther fits this narrative. Do you see yourself as a child of circumstance?
King Jeroboam: If we assume that Solomon was destined to lead Israel into idolatry, I could call myself that. I don’t believe that anything or anyone directly influenced King Solomon to turn away from God and embrace idolatry. He was the king with absolute authority. Primarily, he did not need 700 wives and 300 concubines. Who does that? Secondarily, he had no reason to betray God’s love and trust. So, I would say that he deliberately destroyed Israel and I was just available for God to use at the appointed time.
Shepherd Heart: What was your relationship with God at this time?
King Jeroboam: When people think of ancient Israel, they naturally use David’s devotion to God as a yardstick to judge its people. Not many of us had the kind of relationship King David had with God. We were religious; but not entirely devoted to Him. I did not have a personal relationship with God at all.
Shepherd Heart: From your comment, it is obvious that you admired King David’s devotion to God. What stopped you from pursuing the LORD as well?
King Jeroboam: That is a very important question. Even in your generation, there are people who just want to know God from a distance. They are satisfied with giving Him as little attention as possible because they do not want to yield the entirety of their beings to Him. I was not brought up by very religious parents. Everyone in ancient Israel knew enough to go through the motion of participating in the set feasts. Other than that, we lived our lives with as little of God as we could stomach.
Shepherd Heart: Your explanation clears up many things for me. I can now understand why the people of ancient Israel were so fickle in their devotion to God. When they had a godly king, all went well. When the king was involved in idolatry, everyone naturally went along with him. Was your aversion to religion the reason you stopped Israelites in the Northern kingdom under your control from going to worship God in Jerusalem?
King Jeroboam: That was not the primary catalyst. I was afraid that King Rehoboam would capitalise on their presence in Jerusalem to win them back into his fold. Let’s just say that it was a very selfish thing to do; and I have regretted my action.
Shepherd Heart: You must have had some advisers who counselled you against taking such an action. Did you weigh the consequences of your action knowing that God had set up Jerusalem as the place of worship for all Israelites?
King Jeroboam: I was too flushed with my success against King Rehoboam to think about the implications of my action. I only knew that I had touched God’s holiness when He sent some prophets to prophesy against my children and me.
Shepherd Heart: So, God obviously gave you time to repent of your abominations. Why did you not take heed to the warnings of the prophets?
King Jeroboam: The truth is that most people who taste of power begin to see themselves as infallible and invincible. Power truly does corrupt the human mind and makes him dare Almighty God. I was at that place of no return. I wish with all my heart that God had judged me like He did King Nebuchadnezzar, then I would not have ended up a failure and separated from Him.
Shepherd Heart: The idea that any human could compare himself with Almighty God is actually laughable. I understand that power actually intoxicates more than the most potent drug or alcohol. What advice do you have for people on earth that are either flirting with power or abusing it?
King Jeroboam: There is nothing to be gained from misusing power because it ultimately belongs to God. The fact that you have access to it today does not mean that it will always be available to you. Power is transient and should be exercised with utmost decorum. God who gave you the power will ask you to account for how you used it. As Plato observed, the measure of a man is what he does with power. If you are still alive, you have the opportunity to repent for abusing power in any form or shape. I encourage you to do that now. You are not promised tomorrow.
Shepherd Heart: Thank you very much King Jeroboam for your wise counsel. We pray that it would minister grace to our readers and help them to make their ways right with God.
King Jeroboam: The pleasure is mine. I enjoyed chatting with you.