In the history of Israel, the role of the priesthood was divinely instituted to be filled by the descendants of Aaron, from the tribe of Levi. This sacred office was established by God to maintain the spiritual and ceremonial life of the nation, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. However, deviations from this divine order occurred, notably during the reign of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Jeroboam's Apostasy

Jeroboam, who reigned over the ten northern tribes after the division of the united monarchy, feared that continued worship in Jerusalem would lead the people to return their allegiance to Rehoboam, king of Judah. To prevent this, Jeroboam established alternative centers of worship in Bethel and Dan. In a direct violation of God's commandments, he appointed priests from among all the people, not limiting the priesthood to the Levites. 1 Kings 12:31 states, "Jeroboam built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites."

This act of appointing priests from the "lowest of the people" was a significant departure from the established Levitical priesthood. It represented a broader trend of religious and moral decline, as Jeroboam's actions were driven by political expediency rather than adherence to divine instruction. The new priesthood served at the high places, which were often associated with idolatrous practices, further leading the people away from true worship of Yahweh.

Consequences and Legacy

Jeroboam's establishment of a non-Levitical priesthood had lasting consequences for the northern kingdom. It set a precedent for subsequent kings who continued in his idolatrous ways, leading to spiritual corruption and eventual judgment. The prophet Ahijah foretold the downfall of Jeroboam's house as a result of these sins (1 Kings 14:9-11).

The practice of appointing priests from among the common people was not limited to Jeroboam. Other kings and leaders throughout Israel's history followed similar paths, often driven by political motives or personal gain. This disregard for God's ordained order contributed to the spiritual decline of the nation and was a recurring theme in the prophetic critiques of Israel's leadership.

Biblical Perspective

From a biblical perspective, the appointment of priests from the lowest of the people is seen as a direct challenge to God's established order. The Levitical priesthood was not merely a cultural or traditional institution but a divinely ordained office with specific qualifications and responsibilities. The deviation from this order is consistently portrayed in Scripture as an act of rebellion against God.

The New Testament reaffirms the importance of adhering to God's design for leadership and worship. While the priesthood of all believers is a central tenet of the New Covenant, the principle of respecting God's established order remains. The actions of Jeroboam and others serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of compromising divine standards for human convenience or ambition.

In summary, the appointment of priests from the lowest of the people by Jeroboam and others represents a significant departure from God's ordained structure for worship and leadership. It highlights the consequences of prioritizing political and personal motives over divine commandments, leading to spiritual decline and judgment.1 Kings 12:21
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 17:32
So they feared the LORD, and made to themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

"This Thing is from Me"
... And he made an house of high places and made priests of the lowest of the ... the sons
of Levi, and none would undertake it but the very lowest of the people. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

Of Orders.
... nothing of popes, cardinals, and archbishops, and made the bishops ... far from being
really so; such priests as those ... in Beth-aven, taken from the lowest dregs of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/of orders.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... as they will be "a kingdom of priests," so they ... Jeroboam was the first who made Israel
thus to sin ... awful enough), to legalize and patronise the lowest of vices. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

The Prophet Amos.
... of Israel," and "Hear this, ye priests, and hearken ... viii.11, reproves Israel for
having made many altars ... warhvN]), by "remnant;" and others, by "lowest of the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Matt. Ii. 16
... didst thou not summon the chief priests? ... of the Greeks, but are called Externals,
and occupy the lowest place ... let us heal the wounds it hath made, and withdraw ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ix matt ii 16.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... do not by any means occupy the lowest stations. ... without sin, and this circumscription
is made by legislation ... incense unto Jehovah, when the priests resisted his ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

Psalm LXXVIII.
... a weight of evil deserts doth weigh it down unto the lowest and far ... "Their priests
fell by ... that innocence, if of heart it is not, where man was made after the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxviii.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... fillets and robes of the high priests, were all ... the historical narrative could not
be made appropriate to ... hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell." [2806 ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... most true figure: [2570] ""Ask the priests concerning the ... men's bodies, but a difference
is made according to ... condemnation of a number of people, while others ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... 4804] Aaron and the other priests when about ... No difference was made between the son
who had never ... no difference between John himself and the lowest penitent is ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

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