The inspired record tells us in 1 Kings 14 that king Jeroboam, king of Israel, had a son that became sick. The king sends his wife, in disguise, to inquire of God’s prophet Ahijah to see what would become of this child. God tells Ahijah that Jeroboam’s wife was approaching in disguise and to give her the bad news about the reign of Jeroboam. The conclusion is in verse 16:

“And He (God) will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who sinned and who made Israel sin.”

It is later said of Jehu in 2 Kings 10:31, “But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heat; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel to sin.”

What did Jeroboam do that would cause him to be remembered as the one that made Israel to sin? You might recall when the kingdom of Israel was divided in two after the reign of Solomon, Rehoboam became king of the southern kingdom of Judah and Jeroboam became king of the northern kingdom of Israel. In an effort to keep his people in the north and not go south to worship in Jerusalem, Jeroboam establishes places to worship golden calves in Israel, establishes a priesthood of non-Levites, and made shrines on the high places. Thus, Jeroboam made Israel to sin (1 Kings 12:25-33). What a sad commentary about this king of Israel, but are we any different? Could it be said of us that we made our children, spouses, neighbors, and church members to sin?

What about spouses that treat each other in a shameful nature? Husbands that verbally or physically abuse their wives, wives that find love outside of the marriage and commit adultery. Are we doing all we can to not cause each other so sin (Ephesians 5:22-33)? I will not put my spouse in a position to sin!

What about our neighbors that know we are Christians but see us act in an un-Christ like way? Do they hear us cuss, see us drink or smoke? What is the result? Are we not giving people a reason to blaspheme the name of God and cause them to sin rather than glorifying Him through our works (Matthew 5:16)? I will not put my neighbor in a position to sin!

What about our church family when they see us forsaking the assembly of the church? We gather together to encourage and lift up each other (Hebrews 10:24, 25), but could my lack of attendance discourage others in their service to God, causing them to sin? I will not put my church family in a position to sin!

Before we condemn Jeroboam for making Israel to sin, perhaps we should check the beam in our own eyes (Matthew 7:1-6).

By: Justin Odom