2Ch 11:13-16 | KingComments | STEP | Just like Rehoboam, Jeroboam is also working on the strengthening of his kingdom, but his strengthening consists of founding his own religion. He excludes the true priests and Levites and thereby drives them out from all the tribes of Israel to Rehoboam ( ). They go to Rehoboam because the temple is in Jerusalem. That attracts them. In professing Christianity we see this happening when the true priests and servants of the Word go to the place where the church meets around the Lord Jesus. Those believers leave a (sectarian) church bond because the Word of God is not listened to. They answer the call: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues” ( ). The priests and the Levites are encouraged or forced in their hearts to leave Jeroboam because he has established an alternative religion ( ). He established this surrogate religion to prevent the inhabitants of the ten tribes from crossing the border to go to the two tribes. For those who take it easy, there is no need to go all the way to Jerusalem. Jeroboam has his own chosen and appointed priests. In such a situation, it is impossible for real priests to remain. How could they participate in the self-willed religion of Jeroboam and sanction it in this way? We see the actions of Jeroboam and the reaction of God’s people to them in church history. During the Reformation many stayed in the roman catholic church, at the idol service, the service of and to demons. Others have said goodbye to it and asked for the service of God. After the degeneration in protestantism, members of God’s people left again to see where they can perform priestly service in the way God wants. Not only priests and Levites from Israel come to Rehoboam, but also common Israelites ( ). However, they have a wonderful characteristic: they have devoted themselves with all their heart to seeking the LORD. Such a heart can’t be stopped by anything and goes looking to come where He is. These Israelites are a powerful support for Rehoboam. Unfortunately, the effect of this reinforcement only lasts three years ( ). The reinforcement is not only numerical, but also substantive. These people have paid a price to come where the LORD dwells. Their dedication to Him has been proved and also has its constructive effect on those who are already there. Believers who have paid a price, for example in the form of denial by family members, are often more convinced of the special thing about coming together to the Name of the Lord Jesus than those who have been familiar with it since childhood.

‏ 2 Chronicles 11:13-16

Rehoboam Is Strengthened

Just like Rehoboam, Jeroboam is also working on the strengthening of his kingdom, but his strengthening consists of founding his own religion. He excludes the true priests and Levites and thereby drives them out from all the tribes of Israel to Rehoboam (2Chr 11:13-14). They go to Rehoboam because the temple is in Jerusalem. That attracts them.

In professing Christianity we see this happening when the true priests and servants of the Word go to the place where the church meets around the Lord Jesus. Those believers leave a (sectarian) church bond because the Word of God is not listened to. They answer the call: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues” (Rev 18:4b).

The priests and the Levites are encouraged or forced in their hearts to leave Jeroboam because he has established an alternative religion (2Chr 11:15). He established this surrogate religion to prevent the inhabitants of the ten tribes from crossing the border to go to the two tribes. For those who take it easy, there is no need to go all the way to Jerusalem. Jeroboam has his own chosen and appointed priests. In such a situation, it is impossible for real priests to remain. How could they participate in the self-willed religion of Jeroboam and sanction it in this way?

We see the actions of Jeroboam and the reaction of God’s people to them in church history. During the Reformation many stayed in the roman catholic church, at the idol service, the service of and to demons. Others have said goodbye to it and asked for the service of God. After the degeneration in protestantism, members of God’s people left again to see where they can perform priestly service in the way God wants.

Not only priests and Levites from Israel come to Rehoboam, but also common Israelites (2Chr 11:16). However, they have a wonderful characteristic: they have devoted themselves with all their heart to seeking the LORD. Such a heart can’t be stopped by anything and goes looking to come where He is. These Israelites are a powerful support for Rehoboam. Unfortunately, the effect of this reinforcement only lasts three years (2Chr 11:17).

The reinforcement is not only numerical, but also substantive. These people have paid a price to come where the LORD dwells. Their dedication to Him has been proved and also has its constructive effect on those who are already there. Believers who have paid a price, for example in the form of denial by family members, are often more convinced of the special thing about coming together to the Name of the Lord Jesus than those who have been familiar with it since childhood.