Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel came over to Rehoboam from wherever they lived.
14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, *for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them out from executing the priest’s office to the Lord.
15 And he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the [idols of demon] he-goats, and calves he had made.
16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel there came to Jerusalem those who set their hearts to seek and inquire of the Lord, the God of Israel, to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers.
*emphasis mine
So the divided Kingdom goes...
Jeroboam, who now reigned over 10 of the tribes of Israel, makes a serious error in judgement. He decides to worship in the way that the surrounding countries worshiped. Jeroboam and his sons were set in their decision, so set that they expelled God's priests executing their office. Jeroboam wanted to do things his own way, the way his of flesh with no limits or boundaries.
Can this ancient story give us guidance today, thousands of years later? Yes.
God sets limits and boundaries that our human flesh sometimes doesn't like. He does this because He loves us and wants the best for us. He doesn't want our immature decisions to cause a breech between us and Him.
We have a choice.
Do we submit ourselves to God's loving omniscience or do we cast out His messengers?
Do we find "messengers" who tell us what our flesh wants to hear, not speak God's truth in love?
God reminded me about boundaries in a dream last night. He told me in the dream how much He loves me and that a particular boundary He set up in my life is for my protection. I will obey! I love the way my Abba loves me!
Do you have a boundary, set by God? Cling fast to Him realizing He loves you and only wants the best for you!
Abba says, "Please don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you."
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