1 Kings 12:25-33 “Compromise & Convenience”
Initially Jeroboam had success building the cities of Shechem and Penuel. However, his heart lead him astray: “Jeroboam said in his heart, ‘Now the kingdom will return to the house of David.’” (26). Jeroboam had experienced both rise and fall in his life and fled to Egypt where he undoubtedly picked up faulty thinking. This insecurity over the kingdom would have been entirely unnecessary if he had listed to the voice of God through the prophet who had promised blessing conditioned on obedience. Yet, he followed his heart rather than God’s instructions leading to the creation of a compromise religion for the “convenience” of the people. His plan was a fleshly attempt to keep Israel’s allegiance while ignoring God’s word. His insecurity resulted in a plan that would lead to the spiritual decline of God’s people, loss of his own legacy, and not a single healthy king in the entire history of Israel’s existence. Today, some in the church have developed a religion of compromise for the convenience of the people which has tragic short and long term consequences. Secure leaders adhere to God’s word with unending loyalty never bowing to a religion of compromise or convenience!
