THE TRUTH IN PRINT
December 2002, Vol. 8: Issue 11.
A Publication of the Valley church
of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
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WHAT DOES A RETURN TRULY MEAN?
By Bob W. Lovelace
A Return From the Northern
Kingdom, 2 Ch. 11:14-16
Immediately after the division of the
kingdom between Rehoboam (Solomon's son) and Jeroboam
who was given the Northern Kingdom, Rehoboam assembled a massive army of 180,000 warriors with
the intent of destroying Jeroboam to the north. Since God disapproved and
prevented him from doing such, he instead strengthened Judah the
southern kingdom (2 Chron. 11:1-12). Additionally, we are told from all over
their territories the priests and the Levites came to Rehoboam
and took their stand with him. The reason being that Jeroboam
and his sons had rejected (pushed them off or aside) them from serving as
priests to the Lord (2 Chron. 11:13-14).
Little is said about the abuse they suffered at this time. We have only these words:
"For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession (see Numbers
35:2-5), and came to Judah
and Jerusalem:
for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office
unto the Lord:" (2 Chron. 11:14).
Having cast off God's rightfully appointed priests, "… he ordained him
priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he
had made" (2 Chron. 11:15).
The consequences of these two despicable acts prompted others from all of the
tribes to the north to follow suit with the Levites: "And after them out
of all the tribes of Israel
such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of
their fathers. [17] So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah,
and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three
years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon" (2
Chron. 11:16-17). Moreover, the distinct mark (quality) of
those who returned is stated with their being "such as set their hearts to
seek the Lord God of Israel."
Above all those of such spiritual quality would strengthen Judah the
southern kingdom, we are told.
What kind of people were these who returned
from the north? The first to return were the priests (religious teachers) who
had been cast out. All were people who were willing to obey God rather than
man, thus putting themselves in the place where they
could worship God and be “away” from the temptation to do otherwise! They would
not dare follow a false doctrine and rationalize away God's teaching! Having
left what they had they came to Judah
with hearts set on seeking the Lord. Moreover, enduring hardship they
strengthen others, and it plainly says that they strengthened Rehoboam for three years. However, following this inflowing
and strengthening, Rehoboam forsook the way of the
Lord and paid a heavy price at the hand of Egypt for doing so (2 Chron.
11-12). Moreover, Rehoboam never fully prepared his
heart to serve the Lord and thus it says that he did evil, and there were wars between him and
Jeroboam all their days.
The next king over Judah, Abijah (2 Chron. 13), addressed Jeroboam in full battle
array himself with some 400,000 men against Jeroboam's 800,000 man army and
explained things as they really were:
“And Abijah stood
up upon mount Zemaraim,
which is in mount
Ephraim, and said, Hear
me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
[5] Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David
for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? [6] Yet Jeroboam
the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of
David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord. [7] And there are
gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened
themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not
withstand them. [8] And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in
the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great
multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for
gods. [9] Have ye not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and
the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other
lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself
with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are
no gods. [10] But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him;
and the priests, which minister unto the Lord, are the sons of Aaron, and the
Levites wait upon their business: [11] And they burn unto the Lord every
morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and
the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we
keep the charge of the Lord our God; but ye have forsaken him. [12] And,
behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding
trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye
not against the Lord God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper” (2 Chron.
13:4-12).
Against all odds God delivered Abijah and his army that was half the size of Jeroboam’s; Israel's army
fled before Judah
for God delivered them into their hand. Some 500,000 of Israel's army
were slain, and the children of Judah
prevailed "because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers" (2
Chron. 13:17). As for
Jeroboam he never recovered in strength again in the days of Abijah and God struck him, and he died (2 Chron. 13:20).
As one reads about the return of first the priests
and Levites, and then some from all of the tribes, it is apparent that there
are no qualifications. They returned because they had to if they wanted to
serve God acceptably in reverence and godly fear! Moreover, they had but one
place to go and that was to Judah
and Jerusalem
under Rehoboam. I am aware that they left their
cities, houses, properties, sources of income and the attachment to their
inheritances that had been given to their families upon division of the land
under Joshua. Would such an awareness serve as
encouragement and strength in any way for “us” today? I mean, are we aware
enough of their commitment to God that we are ready to do the same when it is
needed today?
"But
there is no church
of Christ where I
live."
Beloved there is a disheartening and pitiful
cry echoing throughout our land today. Pay attention please! A pattern has
manifested itself to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in our land, yes this
Day! Where there once was a faint whisper of despair there is now a resounding
echo that bespeaks of children of God in Christ who are not assembling to
worship God (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25). And what is being said is, “Well there
is no church here, you know, for me to worship with. And, after all, I know that I can’t
worship with denominations.” Moreover, sadly, in some cases they claim to be
“doing the best they can” while worshipping with human denominations! Dear
reader is it unscriptural to ask why they choose to be so unlike those we have
just studied about? Should one think this suggestion
to be too hard, then consider that it was not too hard
for those who left Jeroboam to pull up roots and go to a place where they could
faithfully worship and serve God.
"There is no church of Christ
there where they live but I love them so much."
Why are some not
getting it? With such examples from God’s word why is it that so many cannot
connect a love for the truth with “relocation”? Are we afraid to tell those we
love that they need to relocate in order that they might worship and serve God?
Concerning those whom we love who have left the church, grown old,
and are sought out in order that they might be restored to the faith.
But someone will say, “Yes, but you know
there is no church
of Christ there where
they live. Oh my, and what will they do? And how will
their restoration ever be accomplished?” Question: What do you think those who
loved the Lord who left the northern kingdom and went to Jerusalem and Judah would say? What advice do you
think that they’d have to give? How do
you think they would react to the faith of the ones trying to make excuses for
others? And what do you think they would say about the “cost” factor that might
be involved for those leaving and for those receiving? (End of article)
Note: Should
you find yourself, dear reader, in the category of one who has fallen away from
the faith once delivered (Jude 3), then we would encourage you to read the
following article that we have posted in conjuntion
with this article to our website. The article is titled “Restoration
Viewpoints” and it takes an in detail look at some of the viewpoints presented
in the Scriptures that are helpful in restoring one to the faith. It is
presented concerned reader with a singular point in mind, that being YOUR
restoration and eternal salvation. This article is listed on our complete
Article Index should you desire to access it at any time for your or another’s
edification.
You may go there now by clicking here.
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