Why This Pretense?

“Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? I have been sent to you with bad news” (1 Kings 14:6b NIV).

Jeroboam had a great opportunity in life. He became king with ten tribes to rule after a very symbolic prophesy by Prophet Ahijah. God even told Jeroboam that, if he obeyed Him, He would build for Jeroboam a dynasty as enduring like the one of David.

Could any many have desired a better promise from God? Yet, Jeroboam introduced idol worship and all other evils associated with it in Israel. The point to note is that God can give you great promises and great beginnings in life. But it is up to you to continue in obeying Him; and keeping yourself away from evil.

God gave warnings to Jeroboam through a prophet. But he did not change his ways. What about you? Now, Jeroboam’s son became ill. That meant he was affected very much by it. So he sends his wife to Ahijah the prophet who had told him that he would become king.

See, when you live in evil and do evil things; the willingness to go directly to God also disappears. Because fear about God’s judgment will rule your heart then. The same thing was true of Jeroboam. He was not willing to go to the prophet directly. Possibly an opportunity to repent and turn away from evil was thus closed.

So, instead of going himself, he sends his wife in disguise. This is true of all those children of God who live in sin. They try to send someone else to servants of God to know what is going to happen to them. More specifically, they would like to know what is going to happen to their future.

See, it was Jeroboam’s son who was ill. Whatever was happening to him was what was happening to Jeroboam’s future. Remember, God had promised him an enduring kingdom like that of David.

But the future was not to be; for God sees through pretenses. The disguise was of no use. The message of judgment was delivered. Jeroboam’s future was gone. Because he failed to walk in God’s ways.

The lesson for you is that no matter what promises God has given you; your future depends on your obeying God and turning away from evil.

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