Through the Bible: 1 KingsSample

Leadership – With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes. You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you have aroused my anger and turned your back on me. Because of this, I am going to bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will cut off from Jeroboam every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns dung, until it is all gone.

1 Kings 14:8-10 (NIV) 

When the kingdom was divided into two nations, Jeroboam ruled Israel. Jeroboam had great potential, especially in light of God’s promise; Jeroboam would be allowed to rule Israel and have an enduring kingdom if he obeyed God. Rather than seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise as motivation to obey God, Jeroboam decided to do whatever he could to secure his own position as ruler of Israel. He led Israel away from God. Jeroboam’s descendants were wiped out because he led Israel into sin. His disobedience hindered his great potential. In his failure, Jeroboam is now badly remembered as the measuring line of Israel’s bad kings. The phrase “He did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam…he made Israel sin” is used to describe the subsequent kings of Israel.

Sin is judged harshly. Worst of all, are those who lead others into sin. If you have taken the responsibility of leading others, remember the consequences of leading them astray. Teaching the truth is a responsibility that comes with the privilege of leadership.

Prayer:

Father, please forgive us our sins. Help us to always remain humble and obedient to Your will and Your way. Amen!