God Made Jerusalem Strong
(1 Kings 15: 1~8)
Korea has grown from the status of one of the poorest countries in the world since Christianity came to it 100 years ago to the country that sends the second most missionaries in the world, leaving the 1,500 years of Buddhism and 500 years of Confucianism behind. Due to the grace of God who made it strong, Korea, the Eastern Jerusalem, became one of the top ten countries in the world despite its political backwardness. Abijah, the second king of Judah, was not fully devoted to God. Nevertheless, God made Jerusalem strong. Lets see how and in what way God did this.
1. God strengthened Abijah, the son of an idol worshiper. The chronicles of the kings of Judah are always mentioned along with those of the kings of Israel. Even though Israel and Judah were divided, God remembered both of them as his people. In Judah, the kingdom of David grew as the lineage of Jesus, but in Israel, ruled by Jeroboam, the Josephites played the role of supporting villain. Thus the two kingdoms played separate roles until they became one. Abijah means the son of the sea-god even though its Hebrew word recorded in 2 Chronicles means My father is Jehovah. This probably reflects the national policy of Judah in favor of trade. It also shows that Abijah was influenced by his grandmother Naama, an Ammonite idol worshiper. Rehoboam chose Abijah as his successor out of his 28 sons and 60 daughters sired through his 18 wives and 60 concubines. To Maacah, Abijahs mother, it must have been a great privilege to be a favorite wife and see her son enthroned. Abijah struggled to be as devoted to God as David. He was made a mamas boy by his mother who idolized him. And he committed all the sins his father had done before him, not having the heart of David his forefather.
2. God strengthened Abijahs heart. Verses 3 through 5 describe how David was devoted to God. God must have watched David pityingly and proudly while he was passing through his fifteen deserts. And God blessed his beloved child who walked the right track. Meanwhile, as in verses 1 through 8, Abijah was a pathetic, poor wretch unlike his father. In 2 Chronicles 13, Abijah pursued Jeroboam and took from him the town of Bethel and its surrounding villages. The book of 2 Chronicles highlights this incident as a war between God and gold calves, describing Bethel, the city of golden calves as the trophy of the war. The victory that Judah won over Israel, killing 500,000 with an army half the size of the Israel one, became the foundation of the peace in the following age of Asa. All that the book of 1 Kings describes of Abijah is his wars with Israel. He was not depicted as devoted to God. The standard of devotion is David even though he also committed many sins. However, unlike David, Abijah was 'not fully devoted to God' because of his idolatry. No one can be perfect. True perfection is to recognize ones own imperfection.
3. God strengthened Abijah by giving him a lamp. God gave Abijah a lamp for Davids sake in Jerusalem. Mir which means l&rsquo stands for an offspring, that is, the successor of the kingdom of Judah. Even though God punished Solomon for his sins, he didnt discard his kingship. Instead He promised that he would keep Davids lineage through one tribe, which was demonstrated through Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah. Besides, the limited place of Jerusalem enabled them to remain poor in spirit, which itself was a blessing for the one tribe. Broken hearts made them strong. No one can get anywhere by himself. The lamp can be snuffed out when it falls. Walking together, however, they can shine light on one another, especially the one fading away. That is how to strengthen Gods kingdom. David killed Uriah. However, when Nathan pointed out his sin, David accepted it and made his watershed repentance instead of leaving God. The heart truly devoted to God is a repenting heart. Its living with a broken heart throughout ones life after turning around from sin. We can be devoted to God to the extent that we recognize our sins. God gives his lamp to these people for their spiritual heirs. Do you use your scarlet letter as a lamp for others?
4. God strengthened Abijah through war. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. It was a hereditary war from their fathers, and their hatred wasnt resolved. Abijah might have believed that he waged a war for Gods sake. Yet God still didnt acknowledge his devotion whether Abijah defeated 500,000 Israelites or not. God had commanded Rehoboam not to fight against Israel. Therefore, Abijah shouldnt have waged war against Jeroboam. God deplored the war between them no matter which kingdom won or lost. To devote ourselves only to victory has nothing to do with faith. Its not a Christians life. David didnt kill King Saul nor his son Absalom, who had tenaciously chased him. This character of David pleased God. The goal of our life is not winning the war. It is a consecrated life. We need to wage our war in a different way. Abijah lived a sinful life like Rehoboam. However, he repented at last and died facing the heavenly kingdom. Thus, God took care of Davids family by giving a lamp to the descendants of his kingdom.
One of our deacons confessed that he had enjoyed Gods grace with Wooridle communities through thick and thin since he came to our church with his wife 10 years ago. Yet finding his wife distressed recently, losing her interest in listening to the sermon, he advised his wife to see her sins. Thus, in our comfortable time we can stumble over even a word. However, God strengthens our broken heart in the structure of our true worship community by giving us a lamp. May God bless us to have Davids broken heart and proclaim, 'Only Jesus is the Christ. Its not about victory! God is absolutely right. Thus it is with all our trials.'
Nevertheless, for Davids sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong. (1Kgs 15:4)
