Jeroboam’s Sins

1 Ki. 12:25-33

The great king Solomon was dead. His son Rehoboam ruled. He was then approached by the Israelites to request him to ease their burdens. Rehoboam refused, taking the advice of the young men and ignoring the advice of the elders. Because of this, Israel revolted against him and made Jeroboam their king. This became a very significant turning point in Israel’s history.

Now, Rehoboam continued to rule in Judah (with his capital in Jerusalem) and Jeroboam came to rule over Israel, the northern kingdom.

But Jeroboam had a problem. The Israelites continued to go to Jerusalem to worship there. This worried him. He thought:

“Now the kingdom may well revert to the house of David. If this people continues to go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, the heart of this people will turn again to their master, King Rehoboam of Judah; they will kill me and return to King Rehoboam of Judah” (1 Ki. 12:26-27).

He then devised a plan and brought it about. It was a strategic move. He set up two calves of gold and set them in Bethel and Dan (both within his kingdom) and asked the Israelites to worship here telling them that it was them that brought them out of Egypt.

Next, he needed priests. He appointed priests from among the people who were not Levites.

Finally, he appointed festivals on the dates of his own choosing.

From a worldly point of view, this was a very strategic and smart move. But it was not, in God’s sight.

The Israelites were to worship in Jerusalem, the place where Solomon made a temple, and where the covenant was housed. Additionally, regarding the appointment of non-Levites to the priesthood, Numbers 18:7 was clear. God had told Aaron, “But you and your sons with you shall diligently perform your priestly duties in all that concerns the altar and the area behind the curtain. I give your priesthood as a gift; any outsider who approaches shall be put to death.” The setting up of golden calves and the Israelites worshipping them as their gods was also a grave mistake. Many times, the LORD had told the Israelites that there is no other gods beside Him (cf. Deut. 4:35; 4:39; 6:4; 32:39). He had also warned them, on many occasions, about worshipping idols and other gods (cf. Ex. 20:2-6; 23:13; 34:14; Deut. 12:30-31; 13:1-18).

Today, Christians are also constantly bombarded with different situations and and waves of ideas. In such a time, let us be aware that our ‘strategic and smart moves’ could be against the LORD’s plans. We constantly need to see that every decisions and steps we take are in harmony with gospel.