“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.”
This verse is found in the context of the divided kingdom of Israel, after the death of King Solomon. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, became the king. However, due to his harsh ruling, the ten northern tribes of Israel rebelled against him, and Jeroboam became their king. The verse specifically focuses on Jeroboam’s actions as the new ruler.
The House of High Places:Jeroboam erected a “house of high places,” which refers to an altar or a place of worship on elevated sites. In ancient Israel, high places were often used for idolatrous worship practices. Instead of following God’s instructions to worship in Jerusalem at the temple, Jeroboam established alternative places of worship within his kingdom. This act was a deviation from the centralization of worship and was against God’s design for proper worship.
Priests from the Lowest of the People:Jeroboam also appointed priests who were not from the tribe of Levi. According to God’s command, the tribe of Levi was set apart to serve as priests in Israel (Numbers 3:6-10). By appointing priests from outside the tribe of Levi, Jeroboam disregarded God’s ordained structure for priestly service. This action further undermined the integrity and authority of the priesthood established by God.
Jeroboam’s actions in setting up alternative places of worship and appointing unauthorized priests were significant departures from God’s instructions and led the people astray. These actions contributed to the decline of spiritual purity and ultimately resulted in the spread of idolatry throughout the northern kingdom of Israel.
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of following God’s commands faithfully and not deviating from His established patterns of worship and leadership. It also highlights the dangers of introducing unauthorized practices into worship and the potential consequences that can arise from such actions.
By studying this passage, we can reflect on the need for obedience to God’s Word, adherence to His instructions, and the dangers of compromising our worship and deviating from His established principles. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s guidance and aligning our actions with His will.
