Topical Encyclopedia The "Calves of Jeroboam" refer to the golden calves that King Jeroboam I of Israel established as objects of worship in the northern kingdom. This act is recorded in 1 Kings 12:25-33, where Jeroboam, fearing that his subjects might return to the house of David if they continued to worship in Jerusalem, set up two golden calves. He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28).Religious Context and Motivation Jeroboam's decision to create these calves was driven by political motives. He sought to establish a separate religious identity for the northern kingdom to prevent the reunification of Israel under the Davidic monarchy. By instituting a new form of worship, Jeroboam aimed to consolidate his rule and ensure the loyalty of his subjects. This act was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols (Exodus 20:3-4). Feasts Appointed for the Calves To legitimize this new religious system, Jeroboam instituted a festival similar to the Feast of Tabernacles, which was celebrated in Judah. The Bible records, "Jeroboam instituted a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar" (1 Kings 12:32). This feast was likely intended to rival the legitimate feasts ordained by God and to provide an alternative for the people of Israel, further entrenching the idolatrous practices. Religious Practices and Consequences The worship of the calves included sacrifices and offerings, which were performed by priests appointed by Jeroboam from among the people, rather than from the Levites, as prescribed by Mosaic Law. This unauthorized priesthood and the idolatrous worship were significant deviations from the covenantal practices established by God. The consequences of Jeroboam's actions were severe. The Bible consistently condemns the worship of the calves as a sin that led Israel astray. This idolatry became a "snare" to the people and was a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, where it is often cited as a reason for the eventual downfall and exile of the northern kingdom. Hosea, for instance, laments, "With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction" (Hosea 8:4). Legacy and Theological Implications The sin of Jeroboam became a benchmark for evaluating the kings of Israel, with many subsequent rulers being judged according to whether they followed in his idolatrous footsteps. The "sin of Jeroboam" is repeatedly mentioned in the books of Kings and Chronicles as a significant factor in the spiritual decline of Israel. From a theological perspective, the calves of Jeroboam represent a profound departure from the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Torah. They symbolize the dangers of syncretism and the human tendency to reshape divine commands to suit political or personal agendas. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of idolatry and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 12:32,33And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like to the feast that is in Judah, and he offered on the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Prophet Hosea. The Hebrew Prophecies. Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Appendices The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Resources Why did Jehu destroy the Baal worship in Israel but not the worship of golden calves? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Calves: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Calves of Jeroboam were Kissed in Adoration Calves of Jeroboam: Called The: Calves of Bethaven Calves of Jeroboam: Called The: Calves of Samaria Calves of Jeroboam: Called The: Golden Calves Calves of Jeroboam: Designed to Represent God Calves of Jeroboam: Feasts Appointed For Calves of Jeroboam: God's People Refused to Worship Calves of Jeroboam: Guilt of Making Calves of Jeroboam: Guilt of Worshipping Calves of Jeroboam: Made of Gold Calves of Jeroboam: Made to Prevent the Israelites Going to Jerusalem Calves of Jeroboam: Placed in Dan and Bethel Calves of Jeroboam: Predictions Respecting: Captivity Calves of Jeroboam: Predictions Respecting: Destruction Calves of Jeroboam: Predictions Respecting: Punishment of the Worshippers Calves of Jeroboam: Priests Appointed For Calves of Jeroboam: Probably from an Egyptian Model Calves of Jeroboam: Sacrifices offered To Calves of Jeroboam: Worship of Adopted by Succeeding Kings Calves of Jeroboam: Worship of Became the Sin of Israel Calves of Jeroboam: Worship of Denounced by a Prophet Related Terms |
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