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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