A Legacy

by D. Smith, Lerwick | Category: General | Nov 1975

The evil which king Solomon did in his latter days in departing from the Lord and adapting the abomination of Moab and Ammon in Jerusalem evoked the wrath of God and ultimately brought about the division of the kingdom, as the Lord had told him, "Forasmuch as this is done of thee... I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant" (Kings 11:11). But the divine judgement fell upon Rehoboam his son. He lost the ten tribes to Jeroboam without hope of retrieving them, for it is brought about by the Lord, who said, "this thing is of Me". How solemn and irresistible is the judgement of God!

Although the ten tribes were thus severed from the kingdom of Judah they were not abandoned by God. The change in monarchic rule did not alter God's purpose that all Israel should bring their sacrifices and offerings to the place of God's Name, and worship at His habitation. 'Jerusalem which I have chosen" was to remain in the kingdom of the house of David.

It was on this issue that Jeroboam introduced his great sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. He feared in his heart that if the people went up "to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem" they would in all probability turn again to Rehoboam and consequently he would lose his kingdom and even his life. To allay his fears, he set up two calves of gold, one in Bethel and the other in Dan, "and this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan" (1 Kings 12:30). God ever regards as sin the resort to places and methods of worship which rival what He Himself has established on the ground of His own will. The apostle Paul named "factions, divisions, heresies (parties)" (Gal. 5:20) as "works of the flesh". God has no pleasure in anything that detracts from the importance of His house or reduces the portion which He deserves and expects from His people.

The kingdom of Israel existed for 254 years during which time 17 kings reigned in almost continuous succession, and although each had the opportunity of keeping God's commandments and of doing "that only" which was right in His sight, not one could God commend as having done so. Wonderful indeed is the infinite mercy of God who during all those long years bore patiently with the iniquity and ingratitude of His people and never failed to love the children of Israel although they turned to other gods and behaved stubbornly (Hosea 4:16). Their wickedness was great. They deeply corrupted themselves, their spiritual depravity increasing with the passing years. Shameful "high" places of worship and service were raised up in conformity with the surrounding nations. High places were a common feature in the life of the Gentile peoples who

previously inhabited the land of Canaan. God in bringing His redeemed and separated people into that land gave particular instructions regarding this evil, saying, "Ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire" (Deut. 7:5). The Scriptures do not disclose to what extent these instructions were implemented. This evil became increasingly common in the latter days of Israel's history and very largely contributed to the final captivity both of Israel and Judah.

The stronghold of this grievous sin was Samaria, the capital of the ten tribes, a city founded by king Omri who bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver and called the name of the city after the owner of the hill (1 Kings 16:24). The city bore the mark of his own character, as all our works do, for Omri was a man who "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD", and "dealt wickedly". Thus the city which he founded was to become "the transgression of Jacob" (Micah 1:5). The surrounding territory was studded with the "houses of the high places", the golden calves and graven images.

Ultimately God brought judgement upon the ten tribes, "because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God" (2 Kings 18:12). He removed Israel out of His sight in that He allowed the king of Assyria to carry them away and put them in the cities of the Medes, and in their stead brought men from Babylon, Cuthah and Awa to possess and dwell in the cities of Samaria. These were a people of mixed worship with gods of their own, and their gods they put in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made (2 Kings 17:29). When the Lord's people had been removed from their appointed place the work and building that they left behind accommodated the lifeless gods of the unenlightened. This is a sombre story with a salutary warning.

Before long the Lord Jesus is coming to take from this world every one of His own and what they leave behind will be of service either to those who know not God and obey not the gospel or to that worthy company who through the dreadful days of the great tribulation will be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. May the latter find comfort and instruction from the memory and material which we leave behind.

"What shall we leave to others? Silver nor gold

Nor heritage have we, nor herd nor fold.

Not these can we bequeath, but this we can:

The holy raiment of a saintly man.

The fair example of a life well spent;

Of daily 'tendance in the sacred Tent,

Of ever-praiseful heart and reverent mind,

What nobler dowry can we leave behind!"

D. Smith, Lerwick | Nov 1975
General