1 Kings 13:33-34 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way…and he became one of the priests of the high places. And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from the face of the earth.
Jeroboam’s sin and idolatry is seen as the initiator of the idolatrous sin of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and as contributor to its eventual downfall. Jeroboam, like the nation, was given every opportunity to repent and to turn from their evil ways. However, he returned not from his evil way. It was not just one sin and you’re done. It was also that he did not repent and turn to the Lord. God gave him chances but he stubbornly refused to return. Therefore his dynasty was ended.
And so it was with Israel for a couple hundred years. God sent prophet after prophet to call the people to repentance, but they did not return. God is patient and longsuffering, waiting for his people to return, but judgment must finally come. “He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Those who return find forgiveness. Those who don’t see judgment.
Our Lord is continually offering opportunities to repent and return, for His compassion never ends. If we do not return, we are left to the judgment. Therefore, daily repentance is a really good idea. We sin every day; we are forgiven every day. We keep accounts up to date. God extends mercy endlessly, but He extends a limited amount of time. So return daily.