The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the Lord removed them from his presence. (2 Kings 17:22,23)Jeroboam son of Nebat, the first king of Israel the Northern Kingdom, knew that if anyone made the trip back to worship in Jerusalem, they might realize the error of their ways and return their allegiance to Rehoboam of Judah (1 Kings 12:27). He had two golden calves fashioned to represent the gods who had brought the people out of Egypt, appointed a new priesthood and built shrines on the high places, all of which were abominations before God.
King after king, generation after generation, the people continued to worship the calves stationed at Bethel and Dan (conveniently located in a neighborhood near you!), as well as worshiping at the high places scattered throughout Israel. After Jeroboam, 18 kings ruled in Samaria and almost every single one had the same epitaph: He did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Even Jehu - responsible for purging the evil Omride dynasty (Ahab and Jezebel) from Israel - did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat (2 Kings 10:29).
The nicest thing said about any king of Israel was said about Hoshea (Israel's very last king): He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him (2 Kings 17:2).
What spiritual heritage are you leaving to your great-grandchildren?
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