“And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.”
Here, we see the actions of Jeroboam, who became the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the kingdom was divided. It’s important to understand the historical and religious context to grasp the significance of this verse.
Jeroboam’s Feast:The verse begins by mentioning that Jeroboam established a feast in the eighth month on the fifteenth day. This feast was likely intended to replace the significant religious festivals in Judah, which took place in the seventh month. By establishing a feast in the eighth month, Jeroboam was attempting to separate the northern kingdom from the religious practices of the southern kingdom.
Sacrificing to the Calves:Jeroboam not only established a feast but also offered sacrifices. However, instead of adhering to the authorized worship of God at the temple in Jerusalem, he sacrificed to golden calves that he had made. These golden calves were reminiscent of the idols that the Israelites had worshipped in the past, particularly during the time of the Exodus when they built the golden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32).
Priests of the High Places:Jeroboam appointed priests from among the people to serve in the high places he had built, particularly in Bethel. The high places were locations of unauthorized worship, often associated with pagan practices. These priests were not from the lineage of Aaron as commanded by God’s law, but rather they were chosen by Jeroboam to serve his religious system.
The actions described in this verse illustrate Jeroboam’s attempt to establish a separate religious system for the northern kingdom of Israel. Instead of following the authorized worship of God in the temple in Jerusalem, he introduced idolatry and unauthorized worship practices, leading the people astray.
This incident ultimately set a precedent for the religious practices in the northern kingdom throughout its history. The worship of the golden calves and the presence of high places became deeply rooted, leading to spiritual decline and disobedience to God’s commands.
As we study this verse, we can draw lessons about the dangers of straying from God’s prescribed ways of worship and the importance of adhering to His commands. It serves as a reminder for us to worship God in spirit and truth, following His revealed Word rather than succumbing to the temptations of idolatry and unauthorized practices.
