Topical Encyclopedia The "Calves of Jeroboam" refer to the two golden calves that King Jeroboam I of Israel established as objects of worship in the northern kingdom of Israel. This act is recorded in the biblical narrative as a significant moment of apostasy and idolatry, marking a departure from the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law.Historical Context Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigned from approximately 931 to 910 BC. Following the division of the united monarchy after the death of Solomon, Jeroboam sought to consolidate his rule over the ten northern tribes. Aware of the religious and political significance of Jerusalem, where the Temple of Solomon was located, Jeroboam feared that continued pilgrimages to Jerusalem for worship would undermine his authority and potentially lead to the reunification of the kingdoms under the Davidic line. Biblical Account The account of Jeroboam's actions is found in 1 Kings 12:26-30 : "Jeroboam said in his heart, 'Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, the hearts of these people will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. Then they will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.' After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, 'It is too much trouble for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.' One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves." Religious and Political Implications Jeroboam's establishment of the golden calves was a strategic move to create alternative centers of worship within his kingdom, thereby reducing the religious influence of Jerusalem. By placing one calf in Bethel, near the southern border of his kingdom, and the other in Dan, in the far north, Jeroboam made worship more accessible to his subjects, effectively decentralizing religious practice. This act, however, was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of graven images (Exodus 20:3-4). Jeroboam's declaration, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt," echoed the sin of the golden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32), further compounding the idolatry. Theological Significance From a theological perspective, the calves of Jeroboam represent a significant turning point in the spiritual decline of the northern kingdom. This idolatry set a precedent for future kings and contributed to the eventual downfall and exile of Israel. The prophets repeatedly condemned the worship of these idols, emphasizing the need for repentance and a return to the covenantal faithfulness to Yahweh. The narrative of the calves of Jeroboam serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising true worship for political expediency. It underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the centrality of Jerusalem as the chosen place for His name to dwell, as established in Deuteronomy 12:5-14. Legacy The legacy of Jeroboam's calves persisted throughout the history of the northern kingdom, with subsequent kings failing to remove these idols. The phrase "the sin of Jeroboam" became synonymous with the idolatrous practices that plagued Israel, as noted in the repeated refrain throughout the books of Kings. This legacy of idolatry ultimately led to the Assyrian conquest and the dispersion of the northern tribes in 722 BC, fulfilling the prophetic warnings of judgment for their unfaithfulness. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 12:26,27And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... The Pilgrim's Progress Resources What are the curses God promised Israel for disobedience? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the blessings God promised Israel for obedience? | GotQuestions.org What is the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam? | 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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