The destructive nature of sin and God’s faithful mercy

Viruses are small organisms usually in a protective shell. They carry genetic information, instructions as it were, to reproduce themselves but they need the equipment of a host’s cells to do so. They are like an intruder who breaks into your kitchen with their recipe but need your pots and pans, measuring cups, oven and so on to make their dish.[1] Sin in some ways is like a virus. We cannot describe it simply as wrongful actions or thoughts that leave no mark on us. Rather, sin’s intrusion into our lives impact our being and attitudes, reproducing itself and changing us from the inside. Like viruses, sins can also infect others around us, so that their effect spreads beyond one sinner.

Sin’s disruption of order

We can observe these effects in Solomon’s life. Just as at creation, God (and humanity) had rest in an ordered world (see my post Rest, temple and fellowship with God), so Solomon had rest from his enemies as he ruled over an orderly kingdom (1 Kings 5:4). When sin broke into the world, disorder ensued, so that life became toil and pain after the Fall (Gen 3:16-19). Likewise, Solomon’s sin damaged his relationship with God and undid the rest the country enjoyed. Thus, God raised adversaries to Solomon: Edom in the south-east (1 Kings 11:14), and Syria (Aram, 1 Kings 11:23) in the north. The internal disruption of the kingdom was also not far off, when Jeroboam would rebel (lit. ‘he raised a hand against the king’, 1 Kings 11:26). Ironically, he is initially trusted by the king as a hard worker and appointed as overseer of the forced labour provided by the northern tribes (‘the house of Joseph’, 1 Kings 11:28).[2] It is unclear whether the rebellion refers to a dissatisfaction with the heavy burden placed on the people or if it indicates the later schism and is entirely due to the prophecy Jeroboam receives about his future (1 Kings 11:31). In any case, Solomon’s sin will lead to chaos and turmoil within the land as well as without.

Sin’s effect on others and the self

The prophecy also shows the impact of Solomon’s sin on the people who are drawn into idolatry following their leader’s example (1 Kings 11:33). Sin’s effect on Solomon’s attitude has already revealed itself in his lack of repentance when confronted by God. That hardening of the heart also becomes visible in the way Solomon tries to have Jeroboam killed (1 Kings 11:40). Just as Saul persecuted David as a threat to his throne (1 Sam 18:11, 18), so Solomon tries to eliminate Jeroboam no doubt in response to getting wind of the prophecy. For all his wisdom, Solomon has failed to realise that you cannot subvert what God has planned.

Warning and hope in God’s faithful mercy

Our reading is a sobering reflection on the destructive nature of sin on ourselves, others and the world. It is a warning to take sin seriously because we cannot indulge in it and remain unaffected. Sin will turn us into weapons against God’s will, but it cannot succeed. In all the darkness of this passage, there is a ray of hope. Jeroboam is offered a new start, the possibility of an alternative kingdom under obedience to God (1 Kings 11:37-38), a challenge to the Davidic dynasty to return to Him. When we turn to the Lord in obedience we create a counterforce in the world, God’s instrument to challenge and bring others into His reconciliation and peace. Ultimately, the Lord’s promise that He would not abandon His project, His kingdom for David’s sake (1 Kings 11:34, 39) must have put heart into the exiles who have seen the failure of both Israel and Judah and the loss of the Davidic monarchy. As Christians, we look to that great Son of David, Jesus Christ for whose sake the Lord perseveres with us and whose victory over the power of sin and death transforms us into new people. Thanks be to God for His amazing grace and faithfulness!

---

[1] “Virus,” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24861-virus

[2] Jacob’s son, Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 41:51-52). Joseph was given the firstborn rights of a double inheritance (Gen 48:22) even though he was not Jacob’s oldest son. Thus, when Israel became a nation with twelve tribes, both Ephraim and Manasseh got a portion of land in central Israel. After the kingdom split following Solomon’s death, the northern kingdom of Israel was often referred to by its most prominent tribe or tribes (Ephraim, sometimes Manasseh, or Joseph/the house of Joseph).

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with others.