Topical Encyclopedia The golden calves at Beth-El represent a significant episode in the history of Israel, marked by idolatry and divine judgment. These calves were established by Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, as a means to prevent his subjects from traveling to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the first two commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of graven images (Exodus 20:3-4).Historical Context After the division of the united monarchy following Solomon's reign, Jeroboam sought to consolidate his rule over the ten northern tribes. To achieve this, he established two centers of worship, one in Dan and the other in Beth-El, and set up golden calves at each location. He declared to the people, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act was a deliberate attempt to create a rival religious system to that of Jerusalem, thereby ensuring political and religious independence from the southern kingdom of Judah. Prophetic Condemnations The prophets of Israel vehemently condemned the worship of the golden calves, viewing it as a grave sin that led the nation away from the covenant with Yahweh. Hosea, in particular, prophesied against the idolatry at Beth-El, often referring to it as "Beth-Aven," meaning "house of wickedness" (Hosea 4:15). He warned that the calf of Beth-El would be taken away to Assyria as tribute to the great king, and that Ephraim would be put to shame because of its idolatry (Hosea 10:5-6). Amos also spoke against the transgressions of Israel, highlighting the idolatrous practices at Beth-El. He declared, "Seek Me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing" (Amos 5:4-5). Amos's message was a call to repentance and a return to the worship of the one true God. Consequences of Idolatry The idolatry at Beth-El and Dan had far-reaching consequences for the northern kingdom. It led to spiritual decay and ultimately contributed to the downfall of Israel. The Assyrian conquest in 722 BC resulted in the destruction of these centers of idolatry and the exile of the northern tribes. The prophetic warnings were fulfilled as the nation faced divine judgment for its unfaithfulness. The golden calves at Beth-El serve as a poignant reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments. The prophets' messages continue to resonate, emphasizing the need for true worship and obedience to the Lord. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 13:1-5,32And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 48:13 Hosea 8:5,6 Hosea 10:5,6 Library Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... Resources Why wasn't Aaron punished for making the golden calf? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from the golden calf incident in Exodus 32? | GotQuestions.org What sort of pagan revelry did the Israelites indulge in (Exodus 32:6)? | GotQuestions.org Calf: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Calf of Gold was Made of the Ornaments of the Women Calf of Gold was Made: After an Egyptian Model Calf of Gold was Made: To Go Before the Congregation Calf of Gold was Made: To Represent God Calf of Gold: An Altar Built Before Calf of Gold: Destroyed by Moses Calf of Gold: Fashioned With a Graven Tool Calf of Gold: Made on Account of the Delay of Moses in the Mount Calf of Gold: Making of a Forgetting of God Calf of Gold: Making of a Turning Aside from the Divine Command Calf of Gold: Making of a Very Great Sin Calf of Gold: Making of Caused Moses to Break the Tables of the Testimony Calf of Gold: Making of Excited Wrath Against Aaron Calf of Gold: Making of Excited Wrath Against Israel Calf of Gold: Making of Israel Punished For Calf of Gold: Molten in the Fire Calf of Gold: Moses Interceded for Those Who Worshipped Calf of Gold: Punishment of Those Who Worshipped a Warning to Others Calf of Gold: Sacrifices offered To Calf of Gold: Worshipped With Profane Revelry Calf: "Calves of the Lips" a Metaphor Signifying Worship Calf: Images of, Set up in Beth-El and Dan by Jeroboam Calf: Prophecies Against the Golden Calves at Beth-El The Calf of a Year Old Best for Sacrifice The Calf: Eaten in the Patriarchal Age The Calf: Fed On: Branches of Trees The Calf: If First-Born not Redeemed The Calf: Offered in Sacrifice The Calf: Playfulness of, Alluded To The Calf: Sacrifices of Praise The Calf: Saints Nourished by Grace The Calf: The Young of the Herd The Calf: when Fattened Considered a Delicacy Related Terms Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) Commandments (181 Occurrences) |
    |