2 Chronicles 13:9 – “But didn’t you drive out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may become a priest of what are not gods.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, Abijah, the king of Judah, confronts Jeroboam, the king of Israel, about his actions against the true worship of God. Jeroboam had expelled the priests from Israel—the sons of Aaron and the Levites—who were appointed by God to serve in the temple. Instead, Jeroboam set up a false religious system, allowing anyone who could afford the sacrifices (a bull and seven rams) to become a priest, regardless of whether they were from the tribe of Levi or had been called by God to this role.

Abijah criticizes this practice as being similar to the ways of the pagan nations, which appointed priests for their idols. His words reveal the corruption and spiritual decline in Israel, as they had replaced God’s ordained system of worship with one of their own making. This rejection of God’s commands was a key factor in the spiritual and moral downfall of the northern kingdom.

Historical Context

This verse takes place during the divided kingdom period, after the united kingdom of Israel had split into two: the northern kingdom of Israel, ruled by Jeroboam, and the southern kingdom of Judah, ruled by Abijah. Jeroboam, who had led a rebellion against Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, feared that if the people of Israel continued to go to Jerusalem to worship, they would eventually return their loyalty to the house of David.

To prevent this, Jeroboam set up golden calves in the northern cities of Bethel and Dan, establishing places of worship that mimicked the worship of God in the temple, but without God’s blessing. He removed the true priests of the Lord and installed his own, violating God’s commands regarding who could serve as priests. This verse is part of Abijah’s speech, where he accuses Jeroboam of leading Israel away from true worship and into idolatry, highlighting how deeply Israel had strayed from God’s laws.

Theological Implications

This verse raises important theological points about true worship and the role of God’s appointed leaders. God had established clear guidelines for who could serve as priests—the descendants of Aaron, from the tribe of Levi. These priests were set apart to serve God and represent the people before Him. By rejecting God’s priests and appointing his own, Jeroboam was essentially saying that human desires and political goals were more important than obeying God’s commands.

Theologically, this shows that true worship of God cannot be altered by human will. Worship is not about what we think is best or convenient, but about submitting to God’s authority and design. Jeroboam’s actions led Israel into false worship because they replaced God’s established ways with man-made substitutes. This verse reminds us of the importance of honoring God’s instructions and recognizing that true worship must be centered on Him, not on human preferences.

Literary Analysis

In this verse, Abijah uses strong language to highlight the absurdity of Jeroboam’s religious reforms. By comparing Jeroboam’s practices to the customs of pagan nations, he is emphasizing how far Israel had fallen. The mention of “whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams” points to the way Jeroboam had made the priesthood something that could be bought, rather than a sacred calling from God.

This contrast between the true priests—the sons of Aaron—and the false priests that Jeroboam appointed serves to show the corruption and spiritual decay in the northern kingdom. The phrase “what are not gods” further underscores the point that Jeroboam’s priests were not serving the true God, but rather idols and false gods that had no power or authority.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• 1 Kings 12:31 – Jeroboam’s actions in appointing priests for the high places and the golden calves, even though they were not from the tribe of Levi.
• Exodus 28:1 – God’s command to Moses to set apart Aaron and his descendants as priests, showing the importance of God’s appointed priesthood.
• Leviticus 8:33-36 – Instructions for the consecration of priests, emphasizing the seriousness of the priestly office and the need for it to be done according to God’s commands.
• 1 Kings 13:33 – After being warned by a prophet, Jeroboam continued in his sin of appointing priests, showing his persistence in rebellion against God’s order.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that true worship must align with God’s Word. Just as Jeroboam disregarded God’s commands and created his own religious system, we too can be tempted to modify or water down our faith to fit personal preferences or societal trends. This verse challenges us to examine our worship and ensure that it is centered on God’s truth, not on human ideas or traditions that stray from His commands.

It also reminds us of the importance of spiritual leadership. God has always called specific people to serve Him and lead His people, and we are called to honor and support those who faithfully carry out this role. Jeroboam’s rebellion against the priesthood shows the danger of rejecting God’s appointed leaders in favor of those who offer a more convenient or appealing message.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Even in the face of rebellion, this verse points to God’s love and patience. Despite Jeroboam’s actions, God continued to call His people back to true worship. God’s love is evident in His desire for His people to worship Him rightly and live according to His commandments. His rejection of false worship is not because He wants to control His people, but because He knows that following false gods or creating our own ways of worship leads us away from the true source of life.

God’s love is also seen in how He provides a way for His people to return to Him. Despite the corruption in Israel, God’s covenant with David remained, and He continued to work through the descendants of David to bring about His ultimate plan of salvation.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse connects to Jesus Christ by highlighting the theme of true worship and the role of the priesthood. In the Old Testament, the priests were the mediators between God and the people. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills this role as the ultimate High Priest who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin.

Jeroboam’s attempt to create his own religious system points to the danger of trying to approach God on our own terms. Jesus is the only way to God, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He has made it possible for us to have a relationship with God. In Hebrews 4:14, we are reminded that Jesus is our great High Priest, and through Him, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He has made the way for us to be reconciled to God.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What are some ways we might be tempted to alter or compromise true worship in today’s world?
2. How can we ensure that our worship and faith practices are aligned with God’s Word and not influenced by cultural trends?
3. What does this verse teach us about the importance of honoring God’s appointed leaders and respecting His design for worship?
4. How does this verse challenge us to guard against idolatry or false religious practices in our own lives?
5. How does Jesus, as our High Priest, fulfill the role that the Old Testament priests pointed to, and how does this affect our relationship with God?

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true worship belongs to God alone and must be done according to His ways. Through Jesus, we are invited into a relationship with God that is based on truth, grace, and the perfect sacrifice of the one true High Priest.