Topical Bible: Religion: National: Established by Jeroboam

◄ Religion: National: Established by Jeroboam ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The establishment of a national religion by Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, is a significant event in biblical history, marking a pivotal moment of religious and political divergence from the united monarchy under David and Solomon. This event is primarily documented in the First Book of Kings, where Jeroboam's actions are depicted as a direct challenge to the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law.

Historical Context

Following the death of Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel was divided into two: the southern kingdom of Judah, ruled by Rehoboam, Solomon's son, and the northern kingdom of Israel, under Jeroboam. Concerned about the potential political and religious influence of Jerusalem, where the Temple was located, Jeroboam sought to establish a separate religious identity for his kingdom to consolidate his rule and prevent his subjects from returning to Rehoboam.

Religious Innovations

Jeroboam's religious reforms are detailed in 1 Kings 12:26-33. He established two centers of worship in Bethel and Dan, strategically located at the southern and northern ends of his kingdom. To these sites, he introduced golden calves, declaring, "Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act was reminiscent of the sin of the golden calf at Mount Sinai and was a direct violation of the first two commandments given to Moses.

Jeroboam also appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, similar to the Feast of Tabernacles in Judah, but of his own devising (1 Kings 12:31-32). These actions were intended to create a distinct religious system that would rival the worship in Jerusalem and ensure the loyalty of the northern tribes to his rule.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Jeroboam's establishment of a national religion is viewed as a grave sin, leading Israel into idolatry and apostasy. The biblical narrative consistently condemns his actions, using the phrase "the sins of Jeroboam" as a recurring indictment against subsequent kings of Israel who continued in his idolatrous practices (1 Kings 16:26). This deviation from the covenantal worship of Yahweh is seen as a primary cause of the eventual downfall and exile of the northern kingdom.

Prophetic Response

The prophets of Israel, including Ahijah and later Hosea and Amos, denounced Jeroboam's religious innovations. Ahijah's prophecy against Jeroboam foretold the destruction of his dynasty due to his idolatry (1 Kings 14:7-11). The prophets consistently called the people back to the worship of Yahweh alone, emphasizing the need for repentance and adherence to the covenant.

Legacy

Jeroboam's establishment of a national religion set a precedent for religious syncretism and idolatry in the northern kingdom, which persisted until its conquest by Assyria in 722 BC. His actions serve as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative, illustrating the dangers of compromising true worship for political expediency and the severe consequences of leading a nation away from the commandments of God.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 12:26-33
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Israelites
... and the whole force of Israelitish religion had been ... Jeroboam separated from Judah
and established a kingdom ... which contained the great national sanctuary, and ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... of all that was once established, and a ... and higher interpretations of the national
religion, which thenceforth ... possibility of perfecting all religion; and to ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Historical Books.
... Solomon's sins, and in it the national power received a ... the first king of Israel,
established idolatry as ... of state policy, thus corrupting the religion of his ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Egypt
... The national reaction which found its expression in the ... brought back the gods and
religion of Egypt ... southern corner of Palestine, and established themselves in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... a king and in the schism which established the calf ... Morality is rooted in religion,
and if we lie to ... in which lying has become a national characteristic, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... step to be taken in view of national blessing ... from Jerusalem and the worship which
God had established there ... Religion of some kind must be the basis of government ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

A Decade of Controversies and Schisms.
... for the general advancement of religion"such were some ... Visitors to America from the
established churches of ... traditions of local or national independence in ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xvii a decade of.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... The high places were an established feature in the ... of the records of important national
events. ... the great principles of morality and religion whose development ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... to foretell the extension of the true religion over all ... three times a year at the
great national festivals. ... mountain of the Lord's house as "established in the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... relying on a similar imposture, in religion, and under ... on the Euphrates, are called
by the national name of ... seat of the kingdom was established, from Caranus ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm