Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” - Exodus 32:3-4
Last week we started a new sermon series titled, “The Divided Church: The Northern and Southern Kingdoms”. When Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, foolishly declared his intention to treat the people of Israel even more harshly than his father had treated them, the northern tribes rebelled against him and formed their own kingdom. They retained the name Israel and appointed Jeroboam as their first king.
Meanwhile Rehoboam returned to Jerusalem and retained control over the southern kingdom, which became known as Judah (the house and line of David). During his reign, Rehoboam built and strengthened many fortresses and cities throughout his territory. He also had a large family which he spread out across Judah. During the early years of his reign, Rehoboam was faithful to God and many of the Levites who lived in the northern kingdom moved to the south.
In today’s message we will shift our focus to Jeroboam and the northern kingdom. We will discuss an interesting event that happened there during this same period of time. Remember, throughout most of this series, we will be telling 2 stories that run concurrently - that of Israel and Judah. We must be careful not to get them confused.
I. JEROBOAM’S IDOLATRY (1 Kings 12:25-33)
After being chosen and made king over the northern kingdom, Jeroboam set up his palace in Shechem. He made some renovations and improvements to the city because it was now the capital of Israel (although only briefly). He also rebuilt and fortified Penuel, the ancient and strategic Transjordan city where Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32:30-31). Nevertheless, he still feared that if the people of Israel were to make regular pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem, which was now in Judah, their allegiance would eventually return to Rehoboam and the southern kingdom.
Concerned, Jeroboam sought out some advice. Following it, he made 2 golden calves and set them up in the Israelite cities of Dan and Bethel, which were on opposite ends of his kingdom. He proclaimed that these idols were Israel's true gods and instructed his people to go worship at either of these cites (whichever was more convenient) because traveling to Jerusalem was too burdensome. In addition to this despicable sin, he also built shrines and pagan temples on high places and appointed cultic priests who were not descendants of Levi.
Jeroboam even created his own feast day as a substitute for the traditional feast days commanded in the Law of Moses. It was observed in the 8th month, on the 15th day of the month, perhaps as an alternative to the Feast of Tabernacles which was held in Judah a month earlier. In his arrogance, Jeroboam went to Bethel on his self-proclaimed “feast day” and personally offered sacrifices on the altar to the golden calf that he had placed there. He also burned incense on the altar, assuming for himself the role of a priest.
II. JEROBOAM’S WARNING (1 Kings 13:1-10)
While Jeroboam was offering incense at the altar in Bethel, a man of God who’d come up from neighboring Judah approached him. The man prophesied that many years later a king would rise up from the line of David (in the southern kingdom) named Josiah. King Josiah would burn the bones of the northern kingdom’s false priests on this very altar, thereby defiling both the altar and their remains. The man of God announced a sign as confirmation of his prophecy stating that the altar would split open and ashes would pour out of it.
When Jeroboam heard this prophecy, he reached out his hand toward the prophet and said, “Seize him!” At that very moment, his arm was paralyzed, the altar split open, and ashes poured out just as the man had declared. Realizing his futility, Jeroboam asked the man of God to restore movement to his arm and the prophet graciously did so through prayer. Then, perhaps in an attempt to bribe or win the prophet’s favor, Jeroboam offered him a meal and reward. The man refused the king’s offer, stating that God had forbidden him from accepting any food or drink in Israel, and he departed for Judah taking a different route than he’d come by.
III. A PAIR OF PROPHETS (1 Kings 13:11-34)
Now an old prophet, who was from Israel and lived in Bethel, heard from his sons what had happened that day. With his sons’ help, he saddled his donkey and went out in pursuit of the man of God from Judah. When they met, the older prophet invited the man back to his house to eat and drink. When the man of God refused (for the same reason he’d refused the king), the old, disobedient prophet lied and said that God had told him to extend the invitation. The man from Judah believed the lie, consented, and went with the old prophet back to his home.
As the 2 men were eating together, the word of God came to the old prophet. He rebuked the younger prophet from Judah for breaking the Lord’s command not to eat in Israel and stated that, for his sin, he would not be buried in the grave of his fathers. Sure enough, as the man of God traveled home on a donkey later that day, a lion attacked and killed him. Shockingly, the lion and donkey stood peacefully beside the dead man’s body that laid at the side of the road as several people passed by. This was a sign of divine judgment.
When the old prophet heard that the man of God had been killed, he went and retrieved his lifeless body from alongside the roadway. He brought the man of Judah back to Bethel and mourned over him. The old prophet buried the dead man in his own grave, then instructed his sons to bury him in the same grave when he died, so that the 2 prophets’ bodies and bones would lie together. The old prophet believed the warning that had been spoken to Jeroboam and hoped that, perhaps, if his bones were buried with the man of God they’d be spared from being burnt on the altar someday along with those of Israel’s other false prophets and priests.
Even after all of this, Jeroboam still did not repent of his wickedness. He continued to ordain those who embraced his idolatrous ways to serve as priests in the high places he’d made. Jeroboam was the first of several evil kings in the northern kingdom. His sin became a reproach on his family which would soon lead to their total destruction and abdication of the throne.
CONCLUSION
Almost 300 years later the man of God’s prophecy was fulfilled. During the reforms of King Josiah of Judah, Israel’s remaining idols were gathered and destroyed and the bones of her false priests were exhumed and burned on the altar at Bethel. However, the remains of the man of God and the old prophet were left undisturbed (2 Kings 23:15-18).
In ancient cultures, the preservation of human bones was considered necessary for the afterlife or any future resurrection. Perhaps this was why the older prophet was so concerned about his bones being burnt. Even today, there are some people who strongly oppose the practice of cremation for the deceased. To be clear, the Bible does not state anywhere or even imply that cremation is sinful. The same God who created man out of dirt can resurrect bodies out of ashes or dust. Whether a person is buried or cremated is a matter of one’s own conscience.
This bizarre story foreshadows the future and fate of the northern and southern kingdoms. These 2 anonymous prophets generally represent Judah and Israel. Both are distinct, yet their stories are intertwined. Both wield a degree of influence over each other. Both are vessels through whom God speaks at times, yet both are fatally flawed and disobedient. Both of them die, although not in the same way or at the same time. Ultimately, both are preserved so that someday they might be raised up together.
In closing, Jeroboam’s idolatry infected and doomed the kingdom of Israel from its very beginning. As a whole, the northern kingdom abandoned God at the outset and turned their affections to false gods and idols. As we will discover, each of its kings was no better than the last, and their downward spiral continued until they hit rock bottom. That said, the southern kingdom didn’t fare much better…
Beloved, may we always remember and abide by the first commandment - “You shall have no other gods before me.” It is first for a reason!
Last week we started a new sermon series titled, “The Divided Church: The Northern and Southern Kingdoms”. When Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, foolishly declared his intention to treat the people of Israel even more harshly than his father had treated them, the northern tribes rebelled against him and formed their own kingdom. They retained the name Israel and appointed Jeroboam as their first king.
Meanwhile Rehoboam returned to Jerusalem and retained control over the southern kingdom, which became known as Judah (the house and line of David). During his reign, Rehoboam built and strengthened many fortresses and cities throughout his territory. He also had a large family which he spread out across Judah. During the early years of his reign, Rehoboam was faithful to God and many of the Levites who lived in the northern kingdom moved to the south.
In today’s message we will shift our focus to Jeroboam and the northern kingdom. We will discuss an interesting event that happened there during this same period of time. Remember, throughout most of this series, we will be telling 2 stories that run concurrently - that of Israel and Judah. We must be careful not to get them confused.
I. JEROBOAM’S IDOLATRY (1 Kings 12:25-33)
After being chosen and made king over the northern kingdom, Jeroboam set up his palace in Shechem. He made some renovations and improvements to the city because it was now the capital of Israel (although only briefly). He also rebuilt and fortified Penuel, the ancient and strategic Transjordan city where Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32:30-31). Nevertheless, he still feared that if the people of Israel were to make regular pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem, which was now in Judah, their allegiance would eventually return to Rehoboam and the southern kingdom.
Concerned, Jeroboam sought out some advice. Following it, he made 2 golden calves and set them up in the Israelite cities of Dan and Bethel, which were on opposite ends of his kingdom. He proclaimed that these idols were Israel's true gods and instructed his people to go worship at either of these cites (whichever was more convenient) because traveling to Jerusalem was too burdensome. In addition to this despicable sin, he also built shrines and pagan temples on high places and appointed cultic priests who were not descendants of Levi.
Jeroboam even created his own feast day as a substitute for the traditional feast days commanded in the Law of Moses. It was observed in the 8th month, on the 15th day of the month, perhaps as an alternative to the Feast of Tabernacles which was held in Judah a month earlier. In his arrogance, Jeroboam went to Bethel on his self-proclaimed “feast day” and personally offered sacrifices on the altar to the golden calf that he had placed there. He also burned incense on the altar, assuming for himself the role of a priest.
II. JEROBOAM’S WARNING (1 Kings 13:1-10)
While Jeroboam was offering incense at the altar in Bethel, a man of God who’d come up from neighboring Judah approached him. The man prophesied that many years later a king would rise up from the line of David (in the southern kingdom) named Josiah. King Josiah would burn the bones of the northern kingdom’s false priests on this very altar, thereby defiling both the altar and their remains. The man of God announced a sign as confirmation of his prophecy stating that the altar would split open and ashes would pour out of it.
When Jeroboam heard this prophecy, he reached out his hand toward the prophet and said, “Seize him!” At that very moment, his arm was paralyzed, the altar split open, and ashes poured out just as the man had declared. Realizing his futility, Jeroboam asked the man of God to restore movement to his arm and the prophet graciously did so through prayer. Then, perhaps in an attempt to bribe or win the prophet’s favor, Jeroboam offered him a meal and reward. The man refused the king’s offer, stating that God had forbidden him from accepting any food or drink in Israel, and he departed for Judah taking a different route than he’d come by.
III. A PAIR OF PROPHETS (1 Kings 13:11-34)
Now an old prophet, who was from Israel and lived in Bethel, heard from his sons what had happened that day. With his sons’ help, he saddled his donkey and went out in pursuit of the man of God from Judah. When they met, the older prophet invited the man back to his house to eat and drink. When the man of God refused (for the same reason he’d refused the king), the old, disobedient prophet lied and said that God had told him to extend the invitation. The man from Judah believed the lie, consented, and went with the old prophet back to his home.
As the 2 men were eating together, the word of God came to the old prophet. He rebuked the younger prophet from Judah for breaking the Lord’s command not to eat in Israel and stated that, for his sin, he would not be buried in the grave of his fathers. Sure enough, as the man of God traveled home on a donkey later that day, a lion attacked and killed him. Shockingly, the lion and donkey stood peacefully beside the dead man’s body that laid at the side of the road as several people passed by. This was a sign of divine judgment.
When the old prophet heard that the man of God had been killed, he went and retrieved his lifeless body from alongside the roadway. He brought the man of Judah back to Bethel and mourned over him. The old prophet buried the dead man in his own grave, then instructed his sons to bury him in the same grave when he died, so that the 2 prophets’ bodies and bones would lie together. The old prophet believed the warning that had been spoken to Jeroboam and hoped that, perhaps, if his bones were buried with the man of God they’d be spared from being burnt on the altar someday along with those of Israel’s other false prophets and priests.
Even after all of this, Jeroboam still did not repent of his wickedness. He continued to ordain those who embraced his idolatrous ways to serve as priests in the high places he’d made. Jeroboam was the first of several evil kings in the northern kingdom. His sin became a reproach on his family which would soon lead to their total destruction and abdication of the throne.
CONCLUSION
Almost 300 years later the man of God’s prophecy was fulfilled. During the reforms of King Josiah of Judah, Israel’s remaining idols were gathered and destroyed and the bones of her false priests were exhumed and burned on the altar at Bethel. However, the remains of the man of God and the old prophet were left undisturbed (2 Kings 23:15-18).
In ancient cultures, the preservation of human bones was considered necessary for the afterlife or any future resurrection. Perhaps this was why the older prophet was so concerned about his bones being burnt. Even today, there are some people who strongly oppose the practice of cremation for the deceased. To be clear, the Bible does not state anywhere or even imply that cremation is sinful. The same God who created man out of dirt can resurrect bodies out of ashes or dust. Whether a person is buried or cremated is a matter of one’s own conscience.
This bizarre story foreshadows the future and fate of the northern and southern kingdoms. These 2 anonymous prophets generally represent Judah and Israel. Both are distinct, yet their stories are intertwined. Both wield a degree of influence over each other. Both are vessels through whom God speaks at times, yet both are fatally flawed and disobedient. Both of them die, although not in the same way or at the same time. Ultimately, both are preserved so that someday they might be raised up together.
In closing, Jeroboam’s idolatry infected and doomed the kingdom of Israel from its very beginning. As a whole, the northern kingdom abandoned God at the outset and turned their affections to false gods and idols. As we will discover, each of its kings was no better than the last, and their downward spiral continued until they hit rock bottom. That said, the southern kingdom didn’t fare much better…
Beloved, may we always remember and abide by the first commandment - “You shall have no other gods before me.” It is first for a reason!