The Past, Again
Blue 26-6 Ch 12/13 1 KgsSo what happened was Jeroboam feared that his followers would revert allegiance when they went back to Jerusalem to worship so he used The Past to come up with a strategy by finding something that had worked before. Problem with that is he didn't use something good, nor was his motive good but rather self-preserving and fearful. The kind of seed that if planted will get a harvest but you ain't gonna like it. He made not one, but two golden calves. Sin works this way. When sin is not overcome it grows bigger. Aaron made one calf. Jeroboam made two. Aaron gave in to the people. Jeroboam is afraid of losing his influence over the people. Either way, faith is the foundation but faith can be used positively or negatively. v26-28
The people recognized something familiar so after Jeroboam declared, "Here are your gods... who brought you up out of Egypt." It worked! So he set up one cow in Bethel, the other in Dan. v28-30
How prophetic! Bethel means house of God. Dan means judge.
The story deals with worship, only Jeroboam is polluting it by what he is doing because he didn't appoint Levital priests or put GOD as the object of worship so we see judgement is on it's way. v29-33
The Man of God shows up in town. Signs and Wonders begin to happen. Prophesy breaks out. Jeroboam is so mad that his plan is backfiring he yells, "Seize him!" Stretching out his hand, pointing finger toward the Man of God but instead his hand shriveles up and Jeroboam gets real nice about it then asks for prayer to have his hand restored. The reason Jeroboam got so mad is because what the Man of God prophesied had diretly threatened Jeroboam's neat little plan to self-preserve to keep his status and influence, his security and position- he didn't like it! After building that altar with all those sacrifices and getting people to follow, the money spent on making the 2 golden cows, when all he really needed to do with his faith was butcher that way of thinking to let the Father hold a feast at His Table for the wayward son who has come home..... that's what the fatten calves are really for... why should he have to waste all that time, money, and effort, on watching his altar split apart? v1-6
God's ways are easier, contrary to popular opinion! His burden is still easier and His yoke is lighter.
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