New Thoughts
Can you see it! All of this long story is interconnected. All of it plays into the thread of God's purpose. From Solomon's perspective, things no doubt looked pretty terrible. Enemies plagued him where God had promised peace. Had God gone back on His promise? Not at all. He had been provoked past the point of all mercy, and yet in His retribution, He remained merciful! The promise to Solomon had hinged on his obedience to God, on his following after the example David had set.
David had made mistakes, certainly, but never like this! Solomon was allowing the spread of idol worship in Israel. Rather than keeping the nation separated unto God, he was allowing every pretender to God's throne to have access. A look at the particular gods that are listed will show how vile were the practices of their followers. Not only had idolatry been allowed into God's chosen nation, but prostitution and murder as well. How could God allow such a crime to go unpunished and remain just? He couldn't.
Yet, He could maintain His own word in pursuing justice. He could maintain His promises to David, preserving a portion of Israel to his descendants, in spite of the crime. He could ensure that the formation of this second Israel was clearly seen as His own doing, and see that it was done. He could also make certain that the reason for this establishment was not lost on the people. Rebellion remains a punishable offense, even when done at God's prompting.
This is a hard thing. Jeroboam's actions, and the actions of the tribes that followed after him remained acts of rebellion against God's established authority. Notice the difference between Jeroboam and David. Both had heard God's call establishing their rule. But David waited for God to do as He had promised, where Jeroboam sought to speed up the process. It did not require God pushing him into sin, he went to it quite willingly. But even in this, God's providence was not losing control of events. Even this rebelliousness was harnessed by God's will to serve God's purpose.
That purpose required that justice be served, even in its own fulfilling. So, while the sinful actions of separatist Israel were bent to serve God's purpose, they still remained sinful. The punishment of exile had to come. We should take note of this. The ends do not justify the means. Even with God's promises to back us up, we cannot resort to sinful acts to bring His promise to fruition. He is righteous and true. He will not honor sinfulness, even if it is done in His service. His purpose will be accomplished, but woe to the one who seeks to have it accomplished his own way!
Here, it seems like a terrible fate has overtaken Israel. Surely, this is nothing but bad things for God's people! But, no. Even in this, God was working to the good of His chosen. Even in this, God was glorifying Himself. Even in this, the fame of the God of Israel was spreading. Certainly, Jeroboam's rebellion was allowed to succeed. Certainly, that rebellion had been punished by long exile. But look to the result!
Throughout that exile, God sent word to His people that this was not a final punishment, but only for a time. He established this through the words of His prophets, and then He worked to show those words true. God moved upon Cyrus' heart. No other. It wasn't Cyrus' idea to reestablish Jerusalem. Indeed, God required of Cyrus that he acknowledge that it wasn't his idea. Because of all the 'bad things' that had happened to Israel, the fame of their God had spread into Persia, the dominant empire of that time.
God so moved that not only did Cyrus have favor towards the Israelites, but so did his successor, Darius. Israel's enemies thought to ruin Israel's success with this new king, but failed to do so, because this was not God's will. Again, God's mercy had tempered His judgment against His people. Again, in His providence, He chose to prosper that nation.
And look at the results! Israel rejoiced for seven days running, because God was so moving upon their hearts. Again, the thanksgiving to God increased, the glory to God increased. But, it wasn't over yet. All those nations that had been embattling Israel throughout this time, determined to wipe the memory of that nation from the earth had been forced to acknowledge the God if Israel. They could not help but realize that what had happened had happened because God is in control.
Over and over in the history of Israel, and in the history of the Church, we have seen this same story played out. Germany attempted to take up the task that Edom and Aram had abandoned. They failed, although they inflicted unsurpassed damage upon God's people. We may not have seen the end of this particular episode even now.
Throughout the history of the Church, there have been attempts to do away with it, attempts to destroy the Biblical record, but these attempts have failed. When one Christian region has been overrun, the Bible has been planted in another. It has proven to be an unkillable religion, thriving on adversity, growing stronger with every attempt to destroy it. Surely, the history of God's work in His Church will, in the long run, show His involvement to those who have attacked it. Surely, His enemies will be forced to acknowledge Him in the end, to declare Him Lord who alone is Lord of all.
We serve a God who has been able to arrange incredible sequences of events through long periods of history to bring about His desired purpose. The example we have just been looking at covered most of a century in its accomplishing. This is the God I serve. This is the God who is as concerned with each sparrow He creates as He showed Himself to be with Israel. He is all-wise. He is not only in control, but He is capable. He can devise the best of plans for the best of results, and He arranges the best possible ways to achieve what He plans.
How can I be afraid? How can I be anxious over my circumstance? He has arranged my circumstance. He knows where I am, and He knows what I need. He knows the best ways to provide my need, and He will do it. What can come against me that He does not send for my benefit? What sorrow can I not face, knowing that He has a reason for that sorrow, that my light and temporary afflictions are suffered in His purpose, to attain to a weighty and eternal glory?
God, forgive this weak flesh of mine. All too easily, I forget these lessons. All too easily, I follow the report of my eyes, and fail to recognize Your hand behind my days. Would that I had word from You concerning how You plan to provide for this little family. Would that this time of wondering were shortened. But You know best. You know what we need, whether it be discipline or blessing. You know, and You will do it. If You choose to fill me in on Your plans, I welcome it. If You find it best that I lean on trusting You in spite of not knowing, then I will do my utmost to welcome that, as well.
Indeed, Your ways are awesome beyond my comprehending. To see the thread of Your actions through such sweeps of history; to see that whatever the vagaries of man, You have not lost control for even a moment; this is just astounding. I am bowed in awe. How could I think to question such a One as You? I accept Your will, my God. Whatever it may be, however You choose to work it out in me, I accept it. I pray that You would help me to accept it gracefully.
