King Jeroboam: Manipulative Religious Con-Artist, & Model For Modern-Day Politicians
I Kings 12 begins the story of Jeroboam, the king of Israel after the death of Solomon. Correspondingly, it starts the chronicle of the decline and eventual dissipation of Israel and Judah. Jeroboam may or may not be a bad person. But, he is a bad king. He uses religion for personal, political benefit. The people adapt and tolerate for as long as they can. Eventually they turn, en masse, against him. Most serious, to me, God sees through his charade. His opposition to this most religious of kings is instant, and fierce.
The kingdom is split between Israel and Judah. Jeroboam is afraid his subjects will forsake his command and return to Judah. A big threat for him is that Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, is also designated as the place for regular religious sacrifices and rituals. So, for political expediency, he changes the religion! He sets up altars at Dan and Bersheba, located in safe territory and far from Jerusalem. He interviews and appoints his own priests- none from the designated and sacred tribe. And, he even has the audacity to adorn the sacred garments and perform the sacrifices, himself, when he deems it advantageous to do so. He is bold and brass about the matter, apparently with no real fear of God. Sadly for him, as the story develops we find that God actively works in opposition to this man, and eventually brings about his violent demise.
We have lots of talk about religion from political candidates, these days. For years Republicans have mastered the art. This time, the Democrats are fighting back. And for sure there are issues of religion that come to bear in the ballot box. But we need to look hard, and long, at the true basis of such religious appeal.
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Here are some lessons I believe we should heed:
*Ask yourself: Are my sincere religious convictions, in final analysis, shrewdly being played for political gain?
*What is the track record of this person, and party, for following through with religious rhetoric?
*Be very careful of any politician or preacher who publicly uses religion for personal, political benefit.
*See through the guise of the man or woman who conveniently involves self in public religious ritual in order to gain or hold onto political power.
*Run fast and far from any candidate who alters personal faith for manipulative purpose.
Considering the fate of Jeroboam, I would not want to be in the shoes of a modern-day, manipulative religious con-artist posing as a political candidate, Republican or Democrat.
