The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-07-07
Jeroboam's IdoIatry .


dom of Israel The cleavage between
Ephraim and Judah seemed newt
able. 1t was postponed by the states
manship of David, but it began under
the abuses of Solomon, and was pre-
cipitated by the insolent incompe-
tence of Rehoboam. In point of terri
tory the new kingdom included the
ten tribes with the tributary portions
of Moab, Syria, and Ammon. The
! population is believed to have been
not far from three and one-half mill
ion. The country was marked for
fertility and studded with places
sacred in Hebrew annals. 1t was
more exposed than Judah. but sur
vived for three centuries, finally fall
ing under the Assyrian invasion.
The first king of the new nation,
Jeroboam. was man OF brilliant
genius. His speciality was military
architecture. Solomon discovered
his marked ability and employed him
in the fertilization of Jerusalem, so
that he came to be known as the
imam who inclosed the city of De-
vid." Solomon afterward feared him
as a rival and caused his exile to
Egypt. where the reigning Pharoah
probably used his talents in the
same way and regretfully allowed
him to return to his native land.
Over against the dreary incompe
tence of Rehoboam, the practical
and forceful spirit of Jeroboam APP
pears to the best advantage. The
moment he took up the scepter he
began the fertilization of the key
cities of Shechem, Terrain. and Pen
uel, well earning the title of fortress
builder OF Israeli
\ pathetic incident shows the hui
man side of this rugged warrior, and
links these scenes of a dim antiquity
with the experiences Of today. It is
the story of the sick child and the
mothers hasty visit TO the blind
prophet; his narrowing answer and
the child's death as the mother puts
her foot on the Threshold.
There is a'dash of color, too, in the
incident which records the prophet
Ahiiah as lying in wait for Jeroboam
while he was still in the employ of
Solomon. The seer pulls him aside
from the black. paved road running
out of Jerusalem. They stand alone
in a sheltered spot. Without word
the prophet pulls off his own new robe
and tears it into twelve strips, keep
ing two and giyingte n to Jeroboam.
By this speaking sign he knows he is
to have ten tribes for his kingdom.
But the most significant incident
is that which describes the means
which Jeroboam took to ALLEVIATE his
subjects permanently from Jerusa-
lem. Humanity speaking it was i'm
peratiye that he should take steps to
preserve the autonomy of the new
kingdom. The thing most threaten
ing to this was the rule of the Hebrew
religion which required the presence
of every male three times year in
the temple. 1t was evident that if
the new Kingdoms were to be kept
separate politically, they must first
be separated religiouslY. No one can
dispute the cleverness of Jeroboam's
device. He set up symbols of relig-
l. Ill, anil il,
his own territory which happened
also to be most conveniently located.
He excused his subjects from the
long and expensive journeys to Jeru-
salem. In the place of the Levites
who had deserted to Judah, he ere
ated new priesthood in which all
sections and classes were represented.
AS pure piece of statescraft this
was a master stroke. 1t confirmed
the separation of the two kingdoms
for all time Without it, to all hu-
man appearances, Israel would ulti-
mately havelbeen reabsorbed by Ju-
dab. BY this device Jeroboam but
tressed his throne and perpetuated
his dynasty, and.for doing so current
opinion would certainly ommend
him.
But this whole transaction must
be viewed from a standpoint abso-
lutely extraordinary. If the super
natural elements of Hebrew history
are admitted, then Jeroboam was at
fault in throwing himself dead
against the fundamental principles
eff the Mosaic law and ritual. He
carried his worldly policy into q
sacred realm and poisoned the stream
of national life in its verv fountain.
The Teachers Lantern.
The key to Jeroboam's character is
found in the word policy" He al
lowed it TO carry him too far when he
set aside the fundamental principles
of the Mosaic law and worship.
"Who made Israel to sim" is men
| ,.,a;,,r. ,.ofro IL, rapaotad tnautv.tbraa