Why repentance is hard and how God seeks us
1 Kings 14:1-20
When non-Christians hear the gospel of grace, that if we repent of our sins then God forgives and reconciles us to Himself because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, many say that this is too easy. The truth is, however, that it is far from easy. For one thing, it means becoming humble and recognising that we cannot sort ourselves out. We have nothing to be proud of, nothing to point to as our achievement that gives us the right to have God’s good gifts. When we think of our actions, we usually put the best spin on them, we give excuses and explanations about our good intentions even if things turned out wrong. It is difficult to live with a self-image that admits to our rottenness to the core. Further, true repentance is a hard process. It is not the kind of remorse that is distressed over the consequences of sin on oneself, but the kind that grieves over the hurt caused to others and to God and recognises that such a way of living must stop.
Jeroboam’s response to God’s seeking
As we continue Jeroboam’s story, we see just how hard it is to turn to God. The king has been warned of coming judgment (1 Kings 13:2) and would have heard of God’s retribution on the disobedient prophet, yet he did not repent (1 Kings 13:26, 33). Now he faces personal loss as his son gets sick (1 Kings 14:1). Abijah is likely the crown prince, as all Israel will mourn for him later (1 Kings 14:18), which suggests that his death had relevance for the whole nation. The ancients often thought that illness and misfortune expressed the displeasure of their god, so such a significant event should have caused Jeroboam some soul-searching. He does seek out God’s servant though his approach is indirect and stealthy. How ironic that he expects the prophet to see what will happen to the child, while not notice the deception played on him when the king’s wife appears in disguise with only a commoner’s gift (1 Kings 14:2-3)![1]
Events interpreted
The prophet, in fact, is physically blind but sees the spiritual reality far better than the king. His message from God compares Jeroboam with David. Both were raised up because of another king’s disobedience (Solomon’s and Saul’s respectively). Both had a chance for a lasting dynasty, but while David followed the Lord, Jeroboam turned to idols and other gods (1 Kings 14:8-9). Thus, his son’s death will be the harbinger of his dynasty’s end. The metaphorical language of dogs and birds eating the corpses of the king’s male descendants indicate violent deaths and turmoil where no proper burial can take place (1 Kings 14:10-11). Small mercy that this one child will be buried because of some inclination in him towards the Lord (1 Kings 14:12-13). Jeroboam’s story also has parallels with David’s after the Bathsheba incident. Both sinned and both faced the loss of a son. Yet, David’s response was genuine repentance (2 Sam 12:13). He sought out God even in tragedy (2 Sam 12:16, 22-23), while Jeroboam could not be straight with the prophet or admit his guilt. Tragically, Jeroboam’s sins have a ripple effect on Israel who follow him into idolatry and will go into exile (1 Kings 14:15-16).
How to relate to God
Like Jeroboam, our human instinct when faced with patterns of sin in our life is to hide from God and/or to pretend to ourselves and others that everything is under control. Yet, whether God reaches out to us through circumstances or our troubled conscience, these are His mercies to draw us back to Himself. The reminders of David in Jeroboam’s story teach us that it is not over until it is over. While Jeroboam and Israel look set on a path of disaster here, the pointers to David suggest that even in tragedy and under God’s discipline, there is room for repentance and a turning back to Him. Whether we are wrestling with sin that we cannot let go of or in a good place with the Lord, it is good to remember God’s character that seeks out the lost and the straying. May it strengthen our love for Him and move us to treat Him not as an enemy to be avoided – even when we sin – but the One who works for our good.
[1] Paul R. House, 1, 2 Kings, NAC 8 (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 1995), 191.
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