Apostasy
This week we continue in our sermon series, Finding God’s Purposes in the Metanarrative of Scripture. This week we encounter both books of Kings and both books of the Chronicler. To be sure there is plenty to be said of each of these, however, I want to trace a common theme through these books that eventually leads to a progressively clearer understanding of God’s redemptive purpose. We begin at the height of the Davidic kingdom in the early reign of Solomon. Something happens in Solomon’s life that seems to set a precedent for all the descendants thereafter. Solomon’s lust for life overtook his desire for Yahweh, and he passed the kingdom to Rehoboam in a shaky way. After the mere 22 verses of Rehoboam’s reign, the united monarchy became divided into Israel (10 northern tribes) and Judah (2 southern tribes). This sparked a line of kings and prophets who would call them back to Yahweh amidst rebellion and idol worship. Both Kings and Chronicles give a history of the events during these several hundred years that serve as a reminder of God’s relentless dedication to those whom He has chosen.
The barage of kings and the accounts of their lusts for power and sex remind us of something very important. Apostasy happens when someone who is within the accepted orthodox understanding goes away or is enticed in other areas to such an extent that he has gone away from the one, true, living God. Mnay of the kings fell victim to this. God’s covenant with Abraham and David is marked not only by man’s waywardness, but thankfully, it is also marked by God’s faithfulness. Even though David and his descendants rebel and are justly punished during the time of the exile, He is still faithful to His promise. When we find ourselves in the wilderness of apostasy and rebellion against God, and we will feel there is no way back, He makes a way back by leading us to a cross where the penalty of our sins is unjustly paid for by the perfectly, righteous Christ.
