Seize the Moment – Day 944
Defined by Faithful Worship!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, October 17.
At the onset of the Divided Kingdom, the priests and Levites of the rebellious northern ten tribes returned to King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. This is expressed clearly in 2 Chronicles 11:13-16 where we learn that Jeroboam’s rebellion was against more than just the house of David:
Moreover, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel stood with him from all their districts. For the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the Lord. He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and for the calves which he had made. Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.
Jeroboam rebelled against God and led the people in false worship. He established golden calves and satyrs (goat demons) for worship (cf. 1 Kings 12:25-33). He rejected the priestly line of the Levites and appointed his own priests. His idolatry set the northern tribes on their path to destruction, and, in doing so, the name of Jeroboam became forever synonymous with the sin of idolatry and a byword for a king who walked in evil ways (e.g.,1 Kings 15:34; 16:1-4, 19, 26; 2 Kings 14:24; 15:24).
Once again, the Chronicler emphasized the centrality of the temple system located in Jerusalem. Israel was to be defined, not by the unfaithfulness of a king, but by the people’s faithful worship of their God. The same is true for us as His church today!
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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