Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-07

that. He would have his people continue
the Worship of Jehovah, but 1T must be
an Independent cult. Not only must they
have places of their own. but their priest
hood must be of different order.
The old rule that confined the priest
hood to the tribe Of Levi was abrogated.
Our version says that Jeroboam made
prize SITS of the lowest OF the people. which
were not Of the sons of Levi" This
would better read from the whole of the
people: that IS. his selection was made
without reference to tribes. The excuse
for this is not given, but it is probable
that the Leviticel priests were not will
ing to give their support to the new king
dom. .!s-ohoam was determined to have
rchcion Tor his people. but he would
accept 10 rule, cor would he consent to
any requfremer. that would clash with
the establishment OF the new kingdom.
He was what would be called in our day
broad man. SO broad. indeed, was he
that there could be found TO his breadth
no boundaries. Whatever would satisfy
the people "ritl!ou; compromising his
claims Or Interfering with his rights
woult be accepted BY him. Such men
are Z 3c.tl n any age or nation. Nomi
the religious centers Of MS kingdom. In
reality, he was Its center. His real
thought was: "Ail things must bow to
my supremacy. No political scheme. no
rel'sto.s teaching that does not harmon
ize with that. can be tolerated
acknowledge me as supreme. and
things may go as they WILL. This is the
creed OF the demagogue in all ages. Many
OF our modern ''up-to-date" politicians
could shake hands with Jeroboam. They
are the disciples, these politicians. of the
old king. And ever and forever the pol
icy ,s disastrous. It led Israel into gross
est idolatry. It was the cause of their
nameless degradation. 1t made Jeroboam
notorious in the worlds annals as cor
rupter of the people
Gods Rebuke of Jeroboam.
One of the truths that is sure to be
taught in these lessons with frequent and
persistent reiteration is the presence of
Gcd in the life Of both the man and the
nation. The Bible does not represent
God as an absolute sovereign lie is
everywhere present and every where con-
Germs Himself in the affairs of men,
To show that all idea OF the priesthood
as caste was fore yer done away with.
Jeroboam. on the Inauguration of the new
religion at Bethel, presumed to be the
public administrator at the altar. AS he
stood by the altar to offer sacrifice "a
man of God out o: Judah came by the
word of the Lord and cried against the
altar, and said: o altar. altar. thus saith
the Lord: Behold. child shall be born
unto the house of David. Josiah by name;
and upon thee shall he offer the priests,
of the high places that burn incense upon
thee, and mems bones shall be burnt upon
thee
But who was this man. Was it some
ono jealous of the success of the new
kingdom, who dared to rebuke the kingo
Such he might have been. but Gods min
listers always bear with them the divine
credentials. Jeroboam, angered by the
singing rebuke of this stranger doubt
less intended to punish him for his temer-
ity. He put forth his hand and COM
| manded those who stood by to lay hold on
him. but the hand of the king was dried
up SO that he could not pull it in again