1st Kings chapter 14. Being a Leader.
There are two Kings. The king of Israel and the king of Judah. Both of them did evil in the eyes of the Lord and as result the people they ruled over became evil.
Leadership is so important when trying to influence others. If the leadership is evil, then we reap evil amongst the people. If the leadership is righteous then we have a greater probability of having a positive environment to work with in.
What kind of influence do we want to have on those in our workplace? What kind of influence do we want to have within our homes?
if we let God use us to be a spiritual leader, then we have a greater chance of seeing our workplace be a positive workplace. Our homes will hunger more for Jesus. Does my family see me in the word of God? What spiritual things do I show others that are important to me? If I want my kids to talk nice, be nice, value church and Sunday school, be in God's word, etc. Then the question is am I doing these things?
2. King Jeroboam thought he could disguise his wife so a prophet wouldn't know who she was. That's ridiculous. I wonder, though, how many times I try and hide sin in my heart from others and even act as if God's not aware? Nothing is ever hidden from God's sight. And because he loves us, we never know when our sin will be exposed so we will Repent. So let's Repent now rather than wait and be humbled or humiliated.
When I read what Ahijah told Jeroboam’s wife about the consequences for the king doing evil, I thought of what is written in Luke 12:48.
“But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
I was also reminded of Matthew 5:19.
“Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Jeroboam was given much as the king so there was much that was required from him, but he failed to do what was right. It’s a sad lesson that we see happen repeatedly throughout the Old Testament.
May we live our lives as good examples for others to see and may we help encourage people to follow God’s ways as we point them closer to Jesus. May we also remember to pray for our leaders to make the right decisions to lead well and give all the glory to God.
In Jewish genealogies, the mother’s name is not usually mentioned. But, in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, the mother’s name is often mentioned. Possibly the Lord is showing us that the mother has a great deal to do with the character of her child. It’s a mother’s primary ministry to disciple and mold the character of her children. What a glorious responsibility He has given us – to raise the next generation of the church to know and follow our Lord and Savior and to be more like Him.