Questioning authority and choosing correct counsel are critical life skills. To question authority, courage, confidence, bravery and confusion are important traits. The same is with taking counsel. Seeking and receiving advice should not reflexively rubberstamp the suggestions imparted. The First Book of Kings offers an example which is a masterclass in failure. Likewise, it is a Ten Commandments’ moment classic.
In the Hebrew Bible, questioning authority is one of the most vaulted traits. A Human confronting God over what is proper in the affairs of mankind is a high point moment of our world ethics. Sometimes, a great individual knocks on the ceiling to get the upstairs tenant’s attention. Abraham had the courage to reach up and wrap his knuckles. Sodom & Gemorrah, he questioned God on the role of societal righteousness. Moses pleaded with God to save the Children of Israel from destruction after the Golden Calf. In part, Moses tapped into God’s vanity; the Exodus ending in a failure was going to be a public relations nightmare. Patience, and being slow to anger, can be positive qualities. Some things broken can be repaired.
This First Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ moment has a king’s advice leading him to one of the most religiously horrific moments in Israelite history. After King Solomon’s death, the monarchy was broken as a result of the Solomon’s acceptance of idolatry within the nation. Jeroboam would be the leader of the new Israelite nation which consisted of the ten northern tribes. With this division, Jerusalem, with the Temple, remained in the kingdom of Judah. Jeroboam’s northern Kingdom immediately was beset with a moral crisis. Since the central place of worship was in another country, how would this northern kingdom engage in their ritual practice?
Initially, there a period of calm between the rival nations. During this time, it is reported that Jeroboam expressed concern. He thought “now the kingship may revert to the House of David. If this people will go up to bring offerings to the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, the heart of this people will revert to their lord, to Rehoboam, king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam, king of Judah.” 1 Kings 12:26-27. With this question in mind, he sought counsel. The text, however, does not indicate the qualifications and reputations of those individuals. Note: the Book of Kings, previously, in addressed a problem with counsel with respect to the Judean King Rehoboam’s taxation issue. His described failure was embracing advice from the young as opposed to the elders.
Jeroboam’s questionable advice led to a program of establishing religious centers within his territory. He made two golden calves and establishing alternative places of sacrifice. “Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt,” he declared as he placed these idols/graven images in two locations. Beyond that, he created a new holiday. It was said that it was on the fifteenth day of the eight month, in the month “he had fabricated with his imagination.” 1 Kings 12:33.
In the end, he is told by the Prophet Ahijajh that he had “acted more wickedly than any who were before you, and you went and made for yourself the gods of others and molten images to anger me, and you have cast me behind your back.” 1 Kings 14:9. With this, he was then advised that house of Jeroboam would be no longer.
In essense, Jeroboam was provided an exceedingly complex matter. The question as to how to address the matter of centralization of worship was a matter for a higher authority. As the record shows, he did not either consult with God directly or a prophet. Further, in light of the Ten Commandments, his grandious folly into graven images was a spectacular fail. There were individuals capable of providing him proper advice. When one looks at the Book of Kings, one can find Sehmaiah. Prior to Jeroboam’s decision, Shemaiah, a man of God, brought words from the Lord instructing the factioning Israelites to not engage in a civil war. 1 Kings 12:24. Certainly, Jeroboam should have had the courage and confidence that he would receive proper counsel of an individual of that stature. Was Jeroboam intimidated by such a figure? Was he afraid of what such a figure would tell him?
In the end, Jeroboam is told by the Prophet Ahijah that he had “acted more wickedly than any who were before you, and you went and made for yourself the gods of others and molten images to anger me, and you have cast me behind your back.” 1 Kings 14:9. With this, he was then advised that house of Jeroboam would be no longer.
In the end, this Ten Commandments’ moment is a master class in decision-making.
Be well!!
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