Solomon was blessed to build the first temple in Jerusalem. Early on in his reign he had asked for “an understanding heart…that I may judge between good and evil.” (I Kings 3:9) And this pleased God and He gave him a wise and understanding heart. (v 12) But Solomon married many foreign women who turned his heart after other gods. (11:1-3) Therefore, God would take the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give 10 tribes to be ruled by Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant. (11:31)

God promised to bless Jeroboam, “if you heed all that I command you…as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.” (11:38) Due to this division of the nation, he was afraid that the people would return to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices which would then lead to the people returning to the king of Judah. He then asked for advice, not from God, but from the people. Jeroboam set up two golden calves, one in Bethel and one in Dan. This was to keep the people from returning to Jerusalem and, thus he thought that would maintain his rule over them. 

God had already promised to him that he would be king over this people. God instructed him, but Jeroboam rejected that instruction. He had no faith. The eyes of faith see the things that appear beyond our abilities while trusting in what God has said. The lack of faith only sees the things that man can do. For example, Moses “forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” (Heb 11:27) Walking by faith depends to who you are looking. 

Who will you look to today? Will you like Jeroboam only see the solutions to life through the abilities and maneuverings of man? Or will you walk by faith as Moses did, dependent on God who has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me.”(Heb 13:5, 6) 

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust… Psalm 40:4