It is disappointing to read this: “And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days…” Although there was no violent clash or open war between the two kingdoms, there was palpable tension between them. Both kings died and left behind legacies of failure. The stories of these two thrones tell us that God resists the proud and judges sin. When men dethrone God in their hearts, God dethrones them in history.
The story of this unnamed MOG makes me appreciate Christ better, the true Prophet from Judah, who came “by the Word of the Lord” to confront the false worship of His day (John 4:22-24). Like the MOG, Jesus faced rejection and hostility from religious leaders… but Christ obeyed perfectly, even unto death. The prophet’s death along the road was the cost of his disobedience, while Christ’s death on the cross was the cost of His obedience. Hallelujah!
True worship is no longer about a place, but a Person (Jesus Christ). He does not demand rituals or performances from us. Therefore, we must beware of the subtle idols that glitter in religious disguise… Talk of self-righteousness, work-consciousness, and other false doctrines that are aimed at popularity rather than the Truth.
