1 Kings Ch 14 vv 12-20

                It seems that Jeroboam’s son was a godly person. The word used for “boy” in Hebrew can refer to a youth or a young man. If that was the case it was a blessing that the Lord should take away his mortal life and bring him into His eternal presence in Heaven, rather than leave him to suffer the godlessness and atrocities of his wicked parents. We don’t think of death in this positive way as often as we should.

                As well as a prophecy against Jeroboam and his family, the eventual fall and exile of the ten northern tribes of Israel is predicted. The “River” v 16 refers to is the River Euphrates which flows through modern Iraq. Jeroboam not only destroyed his own dynasty by his despicable sins but set an evil example that eventually led to the exile of his people and the destruction of his kingdom. When we sin we may well be unable to control the consequences. This is why it is so important to seek immediate forgiveness and cleansing. We sometimes fondly imagine that our secret private sins have no effect beyond us. That is never the case.

                The Lord kept His promise to Jeroboam who thought he could use God for his own purposes. He discovered how wrong he was. Yet he never repented. We must never think we can use the Lord for our own sinful purposes.