Prophecy Against Jeroboam's Altar Declared In Bethel
In the immediate aftermath of King Jeroboam's establishment of unauthorized golden calf worship and a counterfeit feast in Bethel during the eighth month, a man of God from Judah arrived in Bethel with a message of divine judgment. As Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense, the prophet cried out against the altar itself, proclaiming that a future king named Josiah would sacrifice the priests of the high places upon it and burn human bones. In a dramatic confirmation of this prophecy, the altar split apart and the ashes poured out, just as the man of God had declared.
And he cried against the altar by the word of Yahweh, and said, “O altar, altar, thus says Yahweh, ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’” ... And behold, the altar split apart and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of Yahweh.
— 1 Kings 13:2-3a, 5 LSB
— 1 Kings 13:2-3a, 5 LSB
Timeline Box:
This prophetic declaration against Jeroboam's altar in Bethel took place shortly after Jeroboam instituted his idolatrous feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month (Cheshvan). Thus, recounting this event on 25 Cheshvan, the 8th month of the biblical sacred calendar, places it within the immediate timeframe and consequence of Jeroboam's rebellion.
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