King Solomon’s heart did not remain loyal to the Lord. Because of this, God promised to tear the kingdom away from his house and give it to his servant during the reign of his son Rehoboam (1 Kings 11:4-13). Jeroboam would receive ten of Israel’s tribes and reign over them as king.
God made Jeroboam a conditional promise: “Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you” (1 Kings 11:38). Instead of trusting God’s promise, Jeroboam quickly instituted his own religion to retain the loyalty of his people (1 Kings 12:25-33). Consider some characteristics of Jeroboam’s counterfeit religion.
1. It’s Source: Human Wisdom. The gold calves and altars erected at Dan and Bethel, the shrines on the high places, the priesthood, the feast, and the day of celebration were all according to that “which he had devised in his own heart” (v. 33).
The problem with us devising things for God is that our hearts aren’t always in tune with God’s divine will (Is. 55:8-9; Jer. 10:23). It is foolish to think we can conjure up in our minds something better than what God has commanded in His word. God has revealed the pattern He wants us to follow as we worship and serve Him. Is what we do “from heaven or from men” (Matt. 21:25)?
2. It’s Motive: Retain Followers. Jeroboam’s religion wasn’t about worshiping golden calves. It was about keeping the people away from God’s house in Jerusalem. God called for all males to assemble for various feasts. Jeroboam feared that seeing the temple would rekindle their loyalty to the house of David (vs. 26-27).
The same thing motivates some false teachers today. “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30). Some churches claim to be Christ-centered but their true priority is in retaining their numbers. This is seen in their willingness to engage in any number of unscriptural practices to please their members.
3. It’s Appeal: Convenience. “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem” (v. 28). Why are items usually more expensive at “convenience stores?” Because the owners of these stores know customers are willing to pay for the convenience.
Some churches have gone entirely into the catering business. They are catering to the whims of their members. They have stopped teaching on moral issues and strong standards of righteous living. They don’t expect their members to return for additional services throughout the week (or even later on the Lord’s Day). Immersion is replaced with sprinkling for baptism. The Lord’s Supper is rarely observed. Casual dress is encouraged. Live streamed worship services are a blessing to some, but it also appeals to those who don’t want to bother with the effort involved in “going up to Jerusalem.”
4. It’s Appearance: Similar to the Truth. Jeroboam’s feast was “like the feast that was in Judah” (v. 32). The people went along with it because it was familiar to them. It was close enough to keep them comfortable.
Churches usually don’t dive headfirst into apostasy. Small changes are made over time. Doctrines are taught, practices are brought in, error is tolerated in small doses. Change agents and progressives are careful to work slowly but effectively. It usually takes an outsider to realize that things have indeed changed for the worse in a congregation.
Religious programing is more available today than ever before. Recorded sermons, podcasts, blogs, videos, etc., are archived online and easily accessed. Many of these teachings contain just enough truth to sound good to religious minded people. One must listen closely to find the error. Remember, rat poison is only about 5 percent poison – but that 5 percent makes the difference between life and death.
5. Its Effect: Progressive Degeneration. Jeroboam started by making small changes to the religious practice of his people, but they were changes. The nation would never overcome the stumbling block he introduced. As time went on, things only got worse. “So they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger” (2 Kings 17:16-17).
6. Its Result: Destruction. Things would have been different if only Jeroboam had followed God’s will. Instead, the Northern Kingdom went away into Assyrian Captivity never to return. “Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone” (2 Kings 17:18). Jesus warned, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matt. 15:13). The false religions of man will not survive the fire of God’s final judgment.
Conclusion: The true religion of Jesus Christ is the opposite of Jeroboam’s false religion. Its source is God. Its motive is to make people followers of God. Its appeal is spiritual. Its appearance is true to the divine pattern. Its effect is to improve its followers. Its result is God’s glory and our salvation.