In 1st Kings we see fulfilling of prophecies that God had set into motion because of the acts of Solomon. His son Rehoboam was now reigning and did not take the advice of the elders he took the advice of young men he consulted. Ten tribes in Israel tore away and formed their own kingdom with Jeroboam. Ahijah had prophesied these earlier and Jeroboam fled to Egypt until Solomon's death. Jeroboam formed an army of one hundred eighty thousand fighting men and God spoke through Shemaiah the prophet and said: 24 'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.' "So they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered.'
Many difficult things happen at times and we must consult the Lord before we move forward. When we listen to the wrong people instead of those sent from the Lord the consequences can be devastating for everyone entrusted to us. As we accept what seems to be a difficult message from the Lord we see His plan unfold and our faith is made stronger. Sometimes it's easier to have the brothers fight and defend our ground. We also see here where there will be false prophets who claim to be from God and really confuse us. How do we know which way to take? The true message will always agree with scripture. Knowing God's word will give us needed discernment. Then God will confirm that through prayer. Using this process will always keep us on the right path and in the center of God's plan.
In Matthew 9 we see them bringing people to Jesus for healing. He also forgave their sins. This offended the teachers of the law. They then questioned Jesus practice of going to the home of sinners and eating with them. They knew the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. They wanted to use scripture to condemn. In John 8 they tried to do that with the woman caught in prostitution. The law called for her to be stoned. When they asked Jesus he said "Let the one without sin cast the first stone." And they all left. God's revelation of sin in our life is always to redeem and restore us to Him. Scripture is the standard for our behavior and relationship. He always pursues us to bring us back not to condemn. The Holy s Spirit’s job is to convict us of our sin and prompt repentance. Jesus then restores us and reconciles us to the father. This is why we must season our spirit with prayer to be able see where the Lord is really working and how we should react to Him. He will give the answer as we take time to ask.
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