This is a comment more than a question. My article appeared on the editorial page of our paper.

Jeroboam's In The White House

Let The Good Times Roll!

by

James D. Spinnati

If you look at a list of the kings of Israel in the eighth century B.C. you'll find one name that stands out. His name was Jeroboam the II. He reigned for four decades, from 786 to 746. This was a time when most kings were overthrown in mere months, yet this king sat on the throne for forty years. How could he have lasted so long, while others were being slain?

As we look at the history of the world at that time we will notice that Jeroboam II ruled during a prosperous time for Israel. They even managed to flex their military muscles and expand their borders, even to the point of capturing Damascus. Add to this the fact that arch enemy Assyria had fallen on hard times and many other lessor nations did battle in Syria, leaving Israel alone. Therefore, Israel was allowed a time of peace. This peace allowed them to thrive domestically. In Amos chapter 6:4-6 Amos draws us a picture of the state of affairs in Israel at this time. You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions.

Israel was prospering, but did Jeroboam's long term in office and success in both foreign and domestic policy mean that he was a good king? The Bible says in 2 Kings 14:23-24: In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

Israel was a carbon copy of America today. Financial success in America has been taken to mean God's blessings are upon us. We have a Jeroboam in the White House and the American people and, for the most part, the Church of Jesus Christ could care less. The stock market has soared. Unemployment is at an all time low. America has been victorious in the Cold War, which has left us without a major threat for the first time in years. According to the polls Jeroboam Clinton has been a great king.

As long as the money rolls and inflation is low, sin can and does engulf our society. Morally Israel was much like America. They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name (Amos 2:7). Today in America the crimminal has more rights then honest citizens. In the world market place the United States of America seeks to be #1, and she has attained that "distinction." She is #1 in abortions, #1 in murders, #1 in drug addiction, #1 in divorce, #1 in drive by shootings, and #1 in assisted suicides. Our government is the biggest promoter of homosexual rights and our Jeroboam is their greatest cheerleader! And all this began y "simply" taking the Bible and prayer out of school. Because of this we have a generation that neither respects God nor man. As far as God is concerned, America, our Jeroboam, and the homosexual movement have the right to repent or go to hell.

Many question, why would God allow Israel to continue down the sewer of sin? How could He let the good times roll during the reign of such an evil king? The only thing that can explain God's patience is His mercy. The LORD had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them. And since the LORD had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash (2 Kings 14:26-28). God wanted Israel to repent, but His patience soon came to an end and it will with America unless we repent. One year after Jeroboam II died Tiglath-Pileser seized the Assyrian throne and Israel's breathing spell was over. Two decades later the Assyrians invaded Israel and after a three year siege they captured the northern capital, Samaria. The 10 tribes were deported to Assyria and disappeared from history.

God has posted a warning for America and the Church. If America ignores God she will also be a page in history. It is time for the Church to stand up and speak up, or go to hell with those who encourage evil. Where is that voice crying in the wilderness. If not the Church of Christ, then who? If not now, then when?

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2000

Answers

Amen, James.

II Chronicles 7:14:

If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2000

Jim,

As an exclamation, check out this current article regarding a recent move by the Massachusetts state government sponsored "Teach Out 2000".

http://www.thenewamerican.com/tna/2000/06-19-2000/vo16no13_education.htm

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2000

There was an error in your URL. I fixed it and linked it. =)

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2000