What lessons can we learn from the people's continued sacrifices on high places? Setting the Scene 2 Kings 12:3: “Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.” King Joash repaired the temple and restored offerings, yet this verse points to an unresolved problem that lingered through many reigns. What Were the High Places? • Elevated sites, often on hills, where altars and shrines stood • Originated with Canaanite worship and were supposed to be destroyed (Deuteronomy 12:2-3) • Sometimes co-opted for Israel’s worship—an attempt to mix true devotion with old customs God’s Clear Instruction Deuteronomy 12:13-14: “Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose.” The Lord had mandated one central sanctuary, guarding His people from idolatry and from defining worship on their own terms. Why the High Places Persisted • Convenience—closer than Jerusalem for northern and rural families • Cultural momentum—entrenched habits proved hard to break • Sentimental attachment—places tied to family history or local stories • Weak leadership—kings such as Joash prioritized temple repairs yet tolerated compromise (cf. 2 Kings 14:4; 15:4, 35) Lessons on Partial Obedience • Obedience that Isaiah 90 % complete is still disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22-23) • Leaving one pocket of compromise undermines broader reform • God values “wholeheartedly” (2 Chronicles 25:2 reveals Amaziah “did what was right… but not wholeheartedly”) Lessons on Spiritual Compromise • Small accommodations invite larger deviations (1 Kings 11:7—Solomon’s own high place opened the door to widespread idolatry) • Public tolerance signals private permission; what leaders excuse, people embrace • Mixing sincere worship with old pagan forms confuses the next generation (Judges 2:10-13) Lessons on Leadership Responsibility • Rulers and parents shape the atmosphere of worship (2 Kings 17:22-23 shows national exile tied to collective choices) • Neglect in one area cancels gains in another; Joash’s repaired temple could not compensate for ignored high places • Eliminating visible idols isn’t enough; hidden altars of the heart must fall (Ezekiel 14:3) Lessons on Heart-Level Worship • True worship centers on God’s revealed presence, not personal preference (John 4:23-24) • A divided heart produces divided worship (James 1:8) • Genuine devotion removes substitutes and looks to Christ, the final temple (John 2:21) Living It Out Today • Identify and tear down any “high place” habits—media, relationships, practices—that compete for first love • Submit every area to Scripture, not cultural pressure or tradition • Pursue consistent obedience; ask, “Is there any area I excuse because it’s convenient?” • Encourage clear, uncompromised leadership in church and home • Remember: Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice makes all lesser altars obsolete (Hebrews 10:12-14) |
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