Priests and Levites Come to Jerusalem

  

2 Chronicles 11:13-17

 

June 25, 2023

 

Priests and Levites Come to Jerusalem

And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel presented themselves to him from all places where they lived.  For the Levites left their common lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons cast them out from serving as priests of the Lord, and he appointed his priests for the high places and for the goat idols and for the calves that he had made.  And those who had set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers.  They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehoboam the son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

 

Egypt was a pagan land of worshiping gods that could not see, smell, or talk, they were man-made goats or calves.  When one goes to live in Egypt as Jeroboam did out of fear of Solomon.  Once more I went to “Got Question” to shed light on why he feared Solomon.  “Jeroboam was a skilled worker, and, “when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work,” he placed Jeroboam over the labor force of the tribes of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). One day, the prophet Ahijah approached Jeroboam with a prophecy. The prophet tore a new cloak into 12 pieces and said, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes’” (1 Kings 11:31). The idol worship of the Israelites caused God to divide the kingdom (verse 33). The house of David would retain a remnant of the kingdom, including Jerusalem, because of God’s covenant with David (verse 32).”

So, when Jeroboam heard of Solomon's death he returned from Egypt and its little gods he brought back to the people of the 10 northern tribes.  We are told that Jeroboam and his son cast out the Levite priests.  So, they return to Jerusalem and Judah.  Their action as leaders of the people led many others to also return.

 

Your actions will affect others in your concentric circle of friends, family, and neighbors.  The enemy will tell you your actions are foolish and will not have any effect, do not listen.  At this time of my writing, I have shared with you that if a T.V. show makes fun of God’s people or if they use my Lord’s name in vain, I no longer watch them.  It has sure given me a lot of free time, that I am enjoying.  

 

A major grocery store promotes a drag queen show for children, as my major store has done, I no longer use their services.  And yes, it is inconvenient but God never said this life would be convenient.  It has been my experience that standing for your conviction based on Truth, and Jesus is Truth and Life, it often seems no one is with you, but God, and that is all you need.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice