KING JEROBOAM AND HIS “CONVENIENT” WORSHIP
In my previous article, I discussed King Jeroboam’s ascent to the throne as King of Israel. Jeroboam was chosen by God to succeed Solomon on the Throne of David in the stead of the heir apparent, Rehoboam. However, Jeroboam did not honor God’s law. In fact, he instituted unauthorized worship and convenient gatherings for God’s people rather than follow the protocols instituted by God. Jeroboam's wickedness influenced the nation for generations to come. We often read this assessment of kings who superseded Jeroboam and later followed in his steps: "And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin" (I Kings 15:34).
As soon as Jeroboam became king, he introduced a new system of worship into Israel. While there are many valuable lessons to be learned from Jeroboam's life and reign as king, we want to focus our attention on the false worship that he introduced to the people. This worship is described in 1 Kings 12:25-33 and I Kings 13:33-34. In part, these verses say, "And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David; If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin; for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi."
Jeroboam was more concerned about the people turning back to Rehoboam that he completely disregarded Yahweh's pattern and requirement for worship. This scenerio is being played out repeatedly in our houses of worship as we seek to entertain people rather than enter into the Lord's Presence!
Where Was the Error In Jeroboam's “Convenient” Worship?
Before we answer that question, we should note that Jeroboam was a man who was involved in religious activity, and in the eyes of many people, that was all that mattered. Jeroboam's example demonstrated that it is possible to operate in a religious capacity and yet not please God. Jehovah said to Jeroboam that he, "hast done evil above all that were before thee; for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back" (I Kings 14:9).
I will give you the answer in my next article. Until then, Worship in Spirit and in truth!