2 Chronicles 11:13-17 "And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. (14) For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD: (15) And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. (16) And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers. (17) So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon."
Israel was divided. We are told in the book of James the reason for all
division, strife, and wars. "From whence come wars and fightings among
you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"
(James 4:1) The reason Israel was divided came about as the result of
Jeroboam's desire to rule the people. He had drawn 10 tribes after him. They
willingly followed. Just a side note about Jeroboam. He did not want the people
to be influenced by the things of God, so he made two golden calves. He placed
one in the north country and one in the south country. He persuaded the people
this was for their convenience. "You don't have to go to Jerusalem to
worship. See? I have provided places of worship for you right here in your own
country." The people fell for it. He even ordained priests to go through
motions that resembled worship as the people had known. It is my thought that
Satan does not mind that people worship. He just does not want the worship to
go toward God.
Thank God there were those who realized this was not properly ordained worship
of God. The priests and Levites went to Jerusalem where proper worship was
being maintained. There were those who indeed remained faithful. I think of the
days of Elijah (which would be later in history). Elijah thought he was the
only one who loved and worshiped the Lord God Almighty. The Lord revealed to
him that 7000 men had been reserved who had not bowed the knee to Baal. In the
days of Rehoboam, there were those who refused to bow to idols. They came back
to the place where God had ordained proper worship to take place.
In our day, we often wonder where is the world headed? Where is society taking
us? It is imperative that you and I maintain integrity of worship and praise.
We must not allow Satan to present a fake alternative to worship. He is good at
presenting things to be beautiful and for the moment seem to fill the void that
only true worship can fill. It only takes a brief moment of weakness to be taken
from the true peace of the Lord to the fake peace of Satan. We must be careful
and we must remain true to the One True and Living God Who loves us so much
that He gave His Son to die for us. We must not bow down to the things of the world.
May God grant grace and mercy that we remain true to Him.