Far in the north of present-day Israel, at Dan, lie the remains of one of Jeroboam's temples. He erected worship centers at Dan in the far north and at Bethel in the southern area of the northern kingdom he created. He had risen up in opposition to Rehoboam, Solomon's son, who took the throne after his father's death.

Jeroboam had the spirit of today's denominationalism; he was more interested in keeping the people loyal to him than to God. In 1 Kings 12:26-33, we read about how Jeroboam changed the place of worship, the manner of worship, and the authorized intermediaries of worship (the priests).

"And Jeroboam said in his heart, 'Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.' Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt.' And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made. So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense."

Jeroboam even changed the appointed worship time to suit himself.

Modern parallels.

Sadly, there are many modern Jeroboams and even more people willing to follow such men (and women). God-directed, Scripturally authenticated worship occurs on Sunday, the first day of the week--the Lord's Day. But it is not uncommon to find Saturday evening worship services among some denominations; this keeps Sunday open for fishing, camping, ball games, and general personal use. The Lord's Day, it appears, no longer belongs to the Lord.

The New Testament commands singing in worship, but worldly people like the sound and beat of instrumental music, so they ignore and supplant God's directions.

God's pattern has Christians partaking of the communion on the first day of the week (there is a first day in each week). But modem Jeroboams suggest that monthly, biannual, or annual observance is sufficient; and having it on a day other than the Lord's Day also suits them better.

The Bible tells women not to teach or usurp authority over men within the church (1 Timothy 2:12). But Miss and Mrs. Jeroboam see that as antiquated teaching and boldly step forward to lead prayer, teach classes, and ascend to the pulpit to teach both men and women.

And, as Jeroboam did with the golden calves, modernists also change the very nature of God. The Bible depicts God as both loving of sinful men and judicially righteous, unwilling to forgive and redeem those who won't repent and act in faith to obey His will. But the typical twenty-first century depiction of God leaves out the part about His judgment and emphasizes only His love for sinners.

The sad truth is, not that much has changed since Jeroboam's day.