This same God ruled in Cleveland and Philadelphia

     Let’s place the recent conventions in proper perspective by refreshing our memories on the incomprehensible sovereignty of almighty God.  Not only is God involved in politics, He exercises absolute control over all.

     Consider the following detailed example of God’s sovereignty. 

     Recall King Josiah ruled Judah between 640 - 609 BC; however, Josiah was introduced prophetically to Judah and Samaria (northern ten tribes of Israel) right after the nation was divided following Solomon’s reign which ended in 931 BC.

     Solomon’s servant Jeroboam then ruled over the northern ten tribes; however, worship was to remain in Jerusalem in southern Judah.

     That caused much concern for Jeroboam.  He devised a way to offer worship in the north so as to keep his citizens from wanting to rejoin the south.  So he made two golden calves. 

     “Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan.  He (Jeroboam) made shrines on the high places, and made priests...who were not of the sons of Levi.”  1 Kings 12:30-31

     So the people began to worship idols in pagan shrines and Jeroboam made priests from people other than the tribe of Levi.  Both were great sins against God’s ordinances.  But Jeroboam didn’t stop there.

     “Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar.  So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made.  And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made.”  1 Kings 12:32

     Jeroboam instituted a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month; however, God had ordained the final three feasts on the Jewish calendar during the seventh month.  In addition he did at Bethel what he had done at Dan including idol worship and installing non-Levite priests.

     Such altering of God’s laws and statutes would/will be dealt with in God’s time.

     “And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.  Then he (the man of God) cried out…and said...‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’”  1 Kings 13:1-2

     Summarizing then, in approximately 931 BC God sent a prophet from southern Judah to proclaim that there would be a child born from the family of David who would utterly destroy the altar and those who burned sacrifices on it.  A specific man named Josiah would burn the priests on the altar as well as other’s bones.

     While the prophet was addressing the altar, Jeroboam was burning incense and overheard it all.

     Finite details are included in the account, but let’s fast forward 300 years to approximately 622 BC, i.e. the 18^th year of the reign of King Josiah.

     “Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam…had made, both that altar and the high place he (Josiah) broke down…And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and defiled it according to the word of the LORD…He executed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them…”  2 Kings 23:15-16, 20

     Notice the exact fulfillment of the 300 year old prophecy! 

     Jeroboam, with his own wisdom, had devised a plan that was contrary to God’s plan. God responded to such folly through the prophet Isaiah.

     “For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”  Isaiah 29:14

     God had previously derided those who sought counsel, but not of Him. 

     The above immutable passage from Isaiah was quoted 700 years later by Paul in his first letter to the church at Corinth.

     So then, how significant is the wisdom of those who devise campaign strategies?  How significant are polling numbers?

     In Cleveland and Philadelphia, Josiah’s God unquestionably reigned omnipotently.  

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com