The Levites Left 2 Chronicles 11 14 Background

The Levites Left 2 Chronicles 11: 14

Background § After Solomon’s death, the kingdom of Israel divided (2 Chron. 9: 31; 10: 19) § True worship remained in Jerusalem while idol worship was set up in the north (1 K. 12) § The Levites in the north left because unauthorized worship (2 Chron. 11: 13 -17)

Background § Sometimes breaks have to be made in order to be right with God § When such is necessary, are you willing to pay the price (2 Chron. 11: 14)?

The Levites Left § They left because they were cast out; unwanted (2 Chron. 11: 14) § They left because the authorized priests were replaced with unauthorized priests (2 Chron. 11: 15) § They left because they had a heart that sought the Lord (2 Chron. 11: 16)

The Levites Left § Today, that which is authorized in the NT church is being replaced with the unauthorized (1 Chron. 15: 13 – “the due order, ” KJV; Jer. 17: 5) § Will you leave when you find yourself in such a situation? Will you have a heart that seeks the Lord? § Seeking the Lord involves obedience (2 Chron. 14: 4; Isa. 51: 1; ) and separation (Ezra 6: 21)

When Do We Leave? § We have to leave when we choose to follow Christ (Mt. 4: 20 -22; Mk. 10: 28 -29) - Leave pride, intellectualism, wisdom - Leave worldliness, materialism - Leave denominationalism

When Do We Leave? § We have to leave when others don’t want the truth (Acts 19: 8 -9) § We have to leave when we are living in the world (2 Cor. 6: 17) § We have to leave when the local church is unfaithful and doesn’t want to change Cor. 11: 19) (1

The Blessings of Leaving § Great sacrifices are made when one leaves (Heb. 11: 37 -38) § Yet, there will be great rewards for all who leave for righteousness’ sake (Lk. 6: 22)