It May Seem Good, But...
The Kingdom of Israel is divided in two, with 10 tribes in the north aligned with the sons of Jeroboam and 2 tribes in the south (Judah) aligned with the sons of David. We have in 1 Kings a picture of national deterioration. For just when Israel had achieved rest from their foreign enemies and prosperity within their borders, internal troubled ensued. A divided nation slowly ebbs itself away.
1 Kings 15:16–17 (ESV) And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. 17 Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
First there was internal conflict growing between the north and south to such an extent that they sought to thwart one another. Asa in the south is caught in a trap set by Baasha in the north. This is what happens when a nation is at peace with their enemies and accomplished in accumulation. What do we see in America but such similar divisions. Could it be the end of the World Wars, Cold War and Middle East wars have led us to peace on the outside which has given us time to find division on the inside?
Notice how Asa approaches this civil divide:
1 Kings 15:18-20 (ESV) Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house and gave them into the hands of his servants. And King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying, 19 “Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you a present of silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.”
Asa decides to align with a foreign nation to strengthen his position against the northern side of Israel. To do this he takes the treasures of the Temple and gives them as payment to Syria. How incredible that this is where America currently is... with both sides seeking the advice or help of foreign nations to advance their own interests against their compatriot brothers/sisters.
1 Kings 15:20 (ESV) And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel and conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
Baasha’s plans will be thwarted by this move and at first, Asa’s plan seems to work. But at what cost? He had to take from the Lord’s house to serve a foreign alliance which the Lord expressly forbid in the law. Instead of trusting God, Judah is learning from their leaders to trust other nations. Soon, this will come back to bite them but the immediate damage is done in that Israel to the North is now given even more reason to hate their own brothers.
Is this not a firm warning to the Church? If we divide over things between us so strongly we may be tempted to look to the world to settle these disputes for us. But at what cost? Our witness? Our testimony? Let us learn from these ancient narratives and seek to maintain the bond of peace through the unity of the Spirit. This divided nation needs a strong and united Church to show them how it’s done. If Christ is our king, let us serve Him together.
1 Kings 15:16–17 (ESV) And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. 17 Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
First there was internal conflict growing between the north and south to such an extent that they sought to thwart one another. Asa in the south is caught in a trap set by Baasha in the north. This is what happens when a nation is at peace with their enemies and accomplished in accumulation. What do we see in America but such similar divisions. Could it be the end of the World Wars, Cold War and Middle East wars have led us to peace on the outside which has given us time to find division on the inside?
Notice how Asa approaches this civil divide:
1 Kings 15:18-20 (ESV) Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house and gave them into the hands of his servants. And King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying, 19 “Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you a present of silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.”
Asa decides to align with a foreign nation to strengthen his position against the northern side of Israel. To do this he takes the treasures of the Temple and gives them as payment to Syria. How incredible that this is where America currently is... with both sides seeking the advice or help of foreign nations to advance their own interests against their compatriot brothers/sisters.
1 Kings 15:20 (ESV) And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel and conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
Baasha’s plans will be thwarted by this move and at first, Asa’s plan seems to work. But at what cost? He had to take from the Lord’s house to serve a foreign alliance which the Lord expressly forbid in the law. Instead of trusting God, Judah is learning from their leaders to trust other nations. Soon, this will come back to bite them but the immediate damage is done in that Israel to the North is now given even more reason to hate their own brothers.
Is this not a firm warning to the Church? If we divide over things between us so strongly we may be tempted to look to the world to settle these disputes for us. But at what cost? Our witness? Our testimony? Let us learn from these ancient narratives and seek to maintain the bond of peace through the unity of the Spirit. This divided nation needs a strong and united Church to show them how it’s done. If Christ is our king, let us serve Him together.
Comments
Post a Comment