"For the invisable things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." (Rom.1:20)
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world,unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God." (I Cor. 2:10)
JEREBOAM SENDS HIS WIFE TO AHIJAH THE PROPHET
"At that time Abijah the son of Jereboam fell sick. And Jereboam said to his wife: Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jereboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child.And Jereboam's wife did so, and arose and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age. And the Lord said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jereboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for so it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself to be another woman.
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said: Come in, thou wife of Jereboam; why feignest thou to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings. Go tell Jereboam, thus said the Lord God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, and rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee; and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes, But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molton images, to provoke me to anger and hast cast me behind thy back. (I Kings 14:1-18)
Jereboam I the son of Nebat an Ephraimite, and of Zeruah, a widow, was the first king of Israel after the disruption of the kingdom. (I Kgs 11:26-40; 12-14:20) He reigned for 22 years. (937-915 BC) His name means "May the people multiply." He was the rebel that founded the Northern Kingdom of Israel, ruling from 931-913 B.C. He set up a counterfeit religious system to keep his people from going to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. As a particularly gifted and courageous young Ephraimite, Jereboam I came to the notice of Solomon, early in his reign. (I Kgs. 1:28; 9:15-24) Having observed his abilities, the Solomon made him overseer of the fortifications and public work of the city of Jerusalem, placing him over the levy from the house of Joseph. Jereboam used this position of importance to plot against the king.
Jereboam I had a certain respect for the ministry of Prophet Ahijah, for it was this very prophet of God who in the days of King Solomon, clothed himself with a new robe, met him outside Jerusulem, tore the robe into 12 pieces and gave him ten of them as token that he would be king over the ten northern tribes. (I Kings 11:29-39) This was a true word of the Lord which came to pass.
Jereboam I, who at this time has proven himself unfaithful to Yah, commands his wife to disguise her true identity and he sends her to Ahijah the Prophet, who was a distinguished prophet in Shiloh, that she might receive a word from the Lord, concerning their son.
When the wife of Jereboam I arrives at the house of the prophet Ahijah, her true identity is perceived and penetrated by the word of the Lord. This is the work of God's anointing. "The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the jounts and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) One of the critical factors in the house of God today, that is vitally needed, is the ability to perceive and discern spiritually.
"But if all prophesy, and there come in one that is unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of the heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will report that God is in you of a truth."
Chaotic spiritual disorder can reign under the guise of pseudo divine order. Outwardly things look religiously and politicly correct. When darkness is on the face of the deep, God himself must "move upon the face of the waters, dividing the light from the darkness." (Gen. 1:1-2) How can there be darkness when people are supposed to be "Light in the Lord?" The scriptures teach: "If your eye be single, your whole body shall be filled with light. But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be filled with darkness." If threfore the light in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." (Matt. 6:23-24) So why is this prophetic element--this ability to see spiritually the things unseen in the natural realm-- an element that is often missing in assemblies today, an ingredient that is vitally necessary?
How often people pray and rebuke despondancy, dispair, hopeless, and discouragement, when that is needed is for the individual himself to grasp the need to walk in the Spirit. For in walking in intimate fellowship with the Lord, God Himself will reveal answers, and give strategic direction so he can overcome the most formidable adversary.
THE MISSING PROPHETIC ELEMENT RESULTS IN CHAORIC DISORDER:
Pride
There are multitudes of pastors today, who have not followed the scriptural injunction to "Be endued with power from on high, prior to entering the field of ministry. The evidence that demands a verdict on their part is Acts 10:46-48, which states that the apostles considered "speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance, to be the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
There are pastors who fear losing their positions, so they compromise the message of God's word, and cease to move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the sake of popularity and an aura of respectability among the people and community. At times, boards of elders will limit the ability of pastors, forbidding them to preach on certain issues, or to do anything considered "risky business."
The New Testament outlines "body ministry," which is done by the members of the congregation as God anoints various ones for each specific service, depending on what the Lord wants to accomplish. This comes forth through sermons, songs, testimonies, words of knowledge, prophecies etc. When the service format replaces this necessary New Testament element, the regular cleansing and administration of the New Testament body of Christ does not occur, or is seriously limited in it's effectiveness.
Church choirs, Living Christmas Trees, programs, and other scheduled events which take the place of individual church members being allowed to move in the power of the Holy Spirit, and to share that which God anoints them with, oftentimes supplant the true moving of the Spirit in the New Testament congregation.
Riches, false ecumenicism and other factors have replaced in the eyes of many, the need for true discernment and obedience to God's word. Pastors are over-burdened with ministry schedules. Some are too busy "putting on the ritz" to care. Riches have become their mark of credibility. The Jereboam I's today, forbid wives from operating in genuine gifts of the Spirit, because they do not wish to be thought "unspiritual" themselves. Under the husbands headship, the wife must "disguise" her true identity, as a prophetess, intercessor, evangelist, etc. He doesn't want the pastor to think his wife falls under the catagory of the Jezebel Conference everyone is buzzing about.
Sometimes Petecostal pastors who have received the Holy Spirit, do not always avail themselves of this benefit, so that they can lead God's people through the direction and leading of His Spirit.
Little emphasis is placed on the need in many services today, for prayer before service, or after services. The word of God is received "intellectually" as one would enjoy the latest film or noval. It doesn't seem like it applies to their lives.
While pastors preach from scripture, the scriptures must be spiritually discerned. The bible teaches us: When the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth. Prayer stirs this anointing, from which to preach, and as this occurs, the gifts of the Holy Spirit will be in evidence as God intends, as the message goes forth. The result is "the Spirit of power" rests on God's people. The Lord Himself walks among the people, commending and chastening as need be.
Where the prophetic element is missing, one thing that happens is that Pastor Solomon notices the gifting of the Jereboam I's, and they rapidly rise as the new breed of minister in the assembly.
They gaze wantonly from the pages of glossy religious publications with faces that manifest who they are and what they are there for. The concept of the spirit of the artist being in his "wheels" is new to religious publishers. (Ezek.1:21) They are brought into the house of the Lord and kept there with promises that they can be singers and musicians, but some need deliverance first. Many need to spend time studying the word of God, praying at the altar and dying to the fleshly desire to vaunt themselves for fame and fortune. They need to surrender all, to go where Christ says and to go where He calls them, which may not be the limelight at all. Or which may not be the best paying job! There are some dedicated and anointed singers and musicians among the people of God today, and God can use this to bring offerings into His church. Pastors and elders should be on their faces before God for these and all members. When a pastor holds onto a ministry that belongs someplace else, that spiritual leader should be the first to know that their calling is not here and should help show them to the door.
"As they ministered unto the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said: Separate me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them."
"And such as do wickedly against the covenatn shall he corrupt by flatteries, but the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits." (Daniel 11:32)
These men and women are installed in important posts within New Testament churches and synagogues, and for a time they shine like the stars of heaven. But they frequently lack the fortitude of the Holy Spirit, and are basically untested to stand the most difficult times. Their posts at times are offered as bribery, since a number of these are prophetic types in the making, whom pastors consider "trouble-makers." I love the song: "When All God's Singers Get Home." AThe day will come when we will all stand before the Lord, and we want to be able in that day to go home to be with Yeshua/Jesus. Time would fail to tell of the pastors who have found out too late, that they have unwisely given young Jereboam I, too much power, too soon, and he has stirred a mutiny behind their backs, or discredited their authority in the community.
Into the youth ministry that handsome devil goes. His "new cart" idea is to "dim the lights" and make the youth hall more like a dance club. To replace someof the music takes with something that's more "with it!" He encourages the youth to attend movies their parents would never permit. There is anarchy in the home, as the teen defiantly says: The PASTOR says it's a good movie. You just don't want me to have any fun! Soon he'd charged with making it" with the daughter of one of the members of the congregation.
WHAT THE PROPHETS VALIDATE
Jereboam believed that he had the validation of the Prophet Ahijah. Hadn't the prophet of the old sanctuary in Shiloh met him, and torn his garment in 10 pieces and given them to him in token of his reign over the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom? The scriptures state "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be confirmed." He had the authority of King Solomon AND Prophet also Ahijah! But when Ahijah gave him the prophetic word stating that God would be with him and establish his dynasty, the Lord spoke this conditiono through the prophet: "If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right." (I Kgs. 11:38)
Often times what it takes is for the Jereboam I's of our day to experience revival to such a degree, that they are prophetically capable of discerning the spirits plaguing Pastor Solomon. Not in a vindictive way, but as the David's of our era. They need to know that prophets know things that an individual will do with his life, without that being the best way for them to go at times though. What is needed from prophets oftentimes is godly counsel to a fuller degree, to bring people they minister to to the fulness of the measure of the stature of Christ.
Public ministry is not all that can be observed among the prophets or propheticly or spiritually minded people of the congregation. There is often among them an overtone that bears a credible witness to the overall truth. In Jereboam I's life, there was hostility from the prophets, who opposed idolatrous worship. King Jereboam set up an alternative form of worship at Bethel, that was, frankly speaking, idolatrous.
Into this primordial swamp of religious mixture, God sent His prophet to speak forth God's divine order into the situation. The man of God arrived on the very day that he inaugurated this "new cart" religion, an anonymous prophet appeared at Bethel, and publicly denounced the service. The weight of glory that rested on his message proclaimed that the royal altar would one day be desecrated by a ruler of the house of David. The prophet was saved from the wrath of the king only by a miracle. "The altar was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar." (I Kings 13) How dare he? Did he think that he was right and the majority who were enjoying this new house of worship were wrong? Prophets of this sort, often times lack credibility or appreciation in congregations with pastor like King Jereboam I. He was getting a lot of fanfare in King Solomon's house during the "courting period." Jereboam I draws an audience that likes to hear "smoothe words."
At a later date, when Jereboam I had realized his ambition, but not the ideal which the prophet set before him, Ahijah the Prophet predicted the consequences of his evil policy. Jereboam I's oldest son had fallen sick. Now his thoughts turned to Ahijah, who at this time was old and blind.
King Jereboam commanded his queen to show up at the prophet's house wearing a disguise, so that she could receive a prophetic word from the Lord. And she didn't come empty handed. The king had instructed her to bring gifts-- "Take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him." The prophet was fooled and he was not to be bought. He wasn't just playing "prophet" to add a sackcloth suit to his wardrobe. He knew the voice of the Lord, and it came very specificly. Ahijah bade Jereboam's wife to announce to Jereboam I that his house would be extirpated root and branch; that the people whom he'd seduced with idolatry would be uprooted from the land and transported beyond the river; and severest of all, that her son would die. She had the opportunity in that moment to do exactly as she was told, and through her faith and obedience could have delivered her own righteous soul. Look at how God views Rahab!
FEIGNED REPENTANCE
As an ambitious young man, it had taken time for Jereboam I to obtain his goal. In the early years, he fled to Egypt where he was graciously received and treated kindly by Shishak, the successor to the father in law of Solomon. Solomon taxed his people heavily to pay for his building programs. On his death, the people demanded that his son Rehoboam reduce the burden. The arrogant Rehoboam foolishly allowed the advice of his young contemporaries and threatened to increase taxation. The northern tribes rebelled and set up a rival kingdom under Jereboam I.
Rehoboam failed in an attempt to force the rebels to return, falling into a pattern of military skirmishes with the North. Although he tried to strength Judah militarily, Rehoboam fell spiritually, by permitting or perhaps encouraging the establishment of a number of pagan worship centers in his land. As punishment God allowed Shishak of Egypt, to successfully invade Judah. Solomon had been able to turn the tide of discontentment for a season. Nevertheless, the northern tribes, at a popular had assembly held at Shechem, solomnly promising to serve Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, who had already been proclaimed king at Jerusalem, on condition that he would lighten the burdens which rested unjustly on them.
When Jereboam heard that Solomon was dead, he returned from his enforced exile, in Egypt, taking up residence in his native town of Zeredah, in the hill country of Ephraim. (I Kgs. 12:20) The northern tribes having rejected the House of David, now turned to the leader, and perhaps instigator of the revolution. Jereboam was sent for and raised to the throne by the choice and approval of the general assembly.
Jereboam I died in the 22nd year of his reign, having bequeathed to posterity the reputation of an apostate and a succession of endless revolutions. Jereboam I's actions also led to the downfall of the kingdom itself. Those Israelites not killed in the Assyrian invasion of 722 B.C. were deported from the homeland.
