the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
1 Kings 15:25-34; 1 Kings 16:1-7
Our reading takes us back forty years to consider the kingdom of Israel, whilst Asa is reigning over Judah. In contrast with this last king, Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, walks during his short reign "in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin" (v. 26). This sin consists of the false religion instituted by Jeroboam to divert the people from the place chosen by the LORD (Deuteronomy 12:5-6). In Christendom there exists, as previously in Israel, a great number of people who, whilst belonging to God’s people, have been turned aside from the only centre, which is Jesus. They have been taught various religious forms which are not in accordance with God’s Word.
Nadab, with all Jeroboam’s family, suffers the terrible fate pronounced by Ahijah. But Baasha, who executes this sentence and succeeds Nadab, also succeeds him in his sinful pathway. But the same pathway ends in the same manner! The LORD announces it to Baasha by the mouth of the prophet Jehu, who, not lacking courage, presents himself before the wicked king with solemn words. Have not we ourselves been exalted out of the dust and set among princes? (v. 2; 1 Samuel 2:8). For this reason we should carefully examine the road we are following and where it is leading (Proverbs 16:25).
