The Preacher Who Faced Burnout And Ran From A Woman

Elijah – A Preacher Facing Burnout

1 Kings 19

(Written By Kevin A. Hall   06.25.17)

You’re not the only One!

I am inclined to think that Elijah was suffering from burnout, as many leaders do. Elijah delivered a major blow to the enemy – He and God against 450 prophets of Baal. Imagine if you will, Elijah watching ungodly men giving useless worship and making appeals to a god who cannot hear for hours.  This was the challenge of the century.  “The God who answers by fire, He is God!” 

The prophets of Baal called upon their god from morning till noon as they cut themselves with swords, blood splattering all over the place (1 Kings 18:28). Elijah mocked them in their vain attempt – “Maybe your god is occupied? On vacation? Asleep?  As expected, Baal did not answer. It was Elijah’s moment to call upon his God.  I encourage you to read the account for yourself in 1 Kings 18. It is a fascinating display of theatrics. Elijah barely prayed, when God consumed his offering - the wood, the stones, the dust and the water. There was no doubting who was God! In response to this display of power, judgment was pronounced upon those who corrupted God’s people – The prophets of the false god Baal would die. Seeing that the king himself was an idol worshiper, the Law of Moses required that the man of God would render the judgment. That day, Elijah, commissioned by God, killed all 450 prophets of Baal. We can expect God to judge those who corrupt His church. Woe to the man or woman of God who is corrupt a shepherd or allows the influence of godless and worthless leaders to guide His people.

I Can Live Above My Challenges!

Along The Way:   King Asa of Judah

1 Kings 15; 1 Chronicles 15

A light in the darkness! This is a good way to describe the reign of King Asa. He was one of eight good kings who sat upon the throne of Judah. There were 19 kings who ruled Judah, plus one queen. He reigned for 41 years. The Lord blessed his efforts, but he was “not perfect” as his forefather King David. He was zealous and a striking example that community does not have to dictate a person’s outcome. His grandfather was Jeroboam (the first king of Judah), who did evil. His father was Abijah, who followed his father’s footstep (Jeroboam), also committing evil in God’s sight. Living with such examples (community), it would be expected that the son would follow the father’s lead; but Asa chose to “do good and right in the sight of the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2). 

Jeroboam – He started strong, finished a failure.

Along The Way - Jeroboam 

1 Kings 13-14

Then Jeroboam said in his heart “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David” (12:26).  This was the beginning of the end for Jeroboam.  This man had a bright future.  He was identified as a leader by King Solomon, and from humble beginnings promoted to a superintendent over the labor force of the tribe of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). His story is the story of many believers who started strong but took a turn when their heart became corrupted.  

Central to faithful Christian living is obedience to the Word of God and an unwavering love for God.

God appointed Jeroboam to be King of the Northern tribes after the death of Solomon. He ran well at the beginning, but became self-centered. In wanting the glory for himself and security of his position, Jeroboam built shrines and symbols of worship (two golden calves), instituted  and sanctioned worship back in high places throughout the land, rendered the Levitical priesthood ineffective by appointing ordinary citizens as priests, ordered worship in Bethel and Dan versus Jerusalem.  He even made himself high priest. Later we see Jeroboam raising his hand at God’s prophet when confronted about his sins. In response, God struck him with temporary paralysis.  Surely, pride leads to a fall.

It is important that God’s leaders lead righteously. The future of nations, cities, churches and homes are at stake. Jeroboam’s actions caused the people to sin. He too had the opportunity for an enduring kingdom, but God’s judgment was sure – His entire family was wiped out (1 Kings 14:10 -11). 

We should guard our hearts to prevent God’s displeasure upon our own lives, our families and our ministries.

References:

The Life Application Study Bible (NASB). The United States of America: Zondervan (2000)

Smith, J. The History of Israel. Joplin, MO: College Press (1995)

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King Solomon's Downfall

Along The Way – King Solomon’s Downfall

1 Kings 11   (Written by Kevin A. Hall    06.21.17) 

King Solomon departed from God. He strayed from his relationship and his duty. In his later years, the impact of his small allowances and compromises weighed heavily upon his life. The glory of his kingdom faded away as “his many wives turned his heart away after other gods and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been” (11:4). 

He started humbly, but over time Solomon violated three stipulations for a king of Israel: He multiplied wives (700 wives, princesses and 300 concubines); He multiplied horses (1400 chariots, 12,000 cavalry troops and control of horse trading in the region); and He multiplied wealth (from taxes, tributes, revenues, gifts and the return from naval expeditions). Solomon had become proud and distant from God. His defection from faith was slow but sure.

Small Allowances - King Solomon

Along The Way – Solomon’s Small Allowances?

(Written by Kevin A. Hall   06.20.17)

At the onset of King Solomon’s reign we notice three very important factors that defined the rest of Solomon’s life: (1) Solomon loved the Lord; (2) Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh (a proselyte) and (3) Solomon sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places (1 Kings 3:1-3). Yet, we must not overlook items 2 & 3.  Unlike his brother Adonijah or even Absalom, Solomon was peaceful and very religious. He was committed to walking in the footsteps of his father David (1 Kings 3:3), but unlike his father, he allowed and practiced the worship of Yahweh in the high places. Although these high places were “consecrated to the worship of Yahweh” (Logos), they were prohibited by the Law (Lev. 17:3). The temple had not yet been built, but the tent (in which David worshipped) was available.  Smith says “God winked at this imperfection” (420). Solomon participated in this type of worship. David did not.

 While the marriage was not unlawful, would he have been a “stronger man” had he not married a foreign woman? These two acts were not unlawful, but long term, they were not helpful. Not because God is silent on an issue does it mean it is beneficial or right for the believer. One would think God sanctioned worship at the high places as he accepted Solomon’s sacrifices (2 Chron. 1:3), but we still cannot overlook Solomon’s allowances. Small allowances can be damaging to our relationship with God. As believers, we should be mindful of these “simple allowances”.  Looking over own life, the many “simple allowances” I’ve entertained over the years, it begs me to consider how different my own life would be if I had made different choices. Ok, so Solomon made a strategic choice – Peace for the kingdom; make an alliance with Pharaoh. Beneficial, right?  He later married countless foreign wives who led his heart astray from God.