Jeroboam Is the Worst

Captain's Log: Table Time ~ Friday, September 19th, 2025 ~ Vespers

¹⁵ The Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the Lord to anger. ¹⁶ And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he sinned and made Israel to sin.”

Another gripping story, which means part of the work is done for us (parents). I read through slowly, pausing at the appropriate moments for the children to guess the next word. This can be suspenseful if done well. The dramatic moment in this story, which we are expecting (having seen the consequences of David’s sin for his young child), is the verdict the Lord will give to Jeroboam's wife for their son. We knew it was coming. And he died. 

I paused here, feeling some of the weight of this, especially as there have been tragic and very public deaths in the world this week. ‘Look at the costliness of sin,' I urged the group. 'And we often rush into it so carelessly. We sin at the slightest temptation. But sin brings death. It ruins families.’ Also, the 'sins of the father' theme strikes again.

And yet the grace of the Lord glimmers in the gloom of the story. I highlighted that the child would be buried and laid to rest in peace, unlike many others who would be devoured by animals. There was something pleasing to the Lord in the young child. It is still difficult to read. But always, the grace of God in the midst of sin and judgment can strengthen the heart and shore up faith. 

We lingered on the question: ‘Why was Jeroboam worse than David and Solomon?’ There is something especially evil about bringing others to ruin. Sin is always tragic, and sinners are all accountable. But it is better for a person to be drowned in the sea with a millstone hung around his neck than to cause a little one to stumble (Matt 18:6). We pondered the importance of not leading those around us into sin. What is our influence on others? Do we take seriously the opportunity to lead others into righteousness rather than sin?

“How do you think this passage prepares us for Jesus?” We have been working on this, and it doesn’t come easily. If we’ve grown up seeing this modeled and hearing it in sermons, it comes to us quickly after a while. We have to stop ourselves from doing it sometimes. But with the kids, it needs some practice.

Liam was the first to have an insight. He often surprises us with what he knows and what he’s thinking, being the youngest. “Jesus is going to draw us away from that kind of sin.” Beautiful. ‘Jeroboam led the people into false worship, and it brought death,' I said. 'What is Jesus’ going to draw us into?’ “Love!” was Liam’s next suggestion. Beautiful again. “Righteousness,” from Lewis. Very good. ‘If Jeroboam led the people into false worship, where is Jesus going to lead us?’ “Not into temptation… but deliver us from evil,’ was Lydia’s thought, which spun all our heads around. Excellent. A genuine, Spirit-led, theological discussion at the table with three children under ten years of age. Praise the Lord.

I closed us with: ‘Jesus leads us into true worship which brings life.’ I reminded us how good it is to have a king like this. We don’t have a say under such an authority. We go as our king goes. How sweet it is to have one who leads us into righteousness and life.

I gave thanks for the One who leads us into true worship by offering a once-for-all sacrifice, and who comes after us when we turn to false worship. ‘Lord, help us to treasure our King and all that He is and does for us.’ 

We sang "As For Me."