The Great Sin of Jeroboam Son of Nebat

The Great Sin of Jeroboam, Son of Nebat 2 Kings 17: 20 -23

The Sin of Jeroboam, the Son of Nebat 20 And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His sight. 21 For He tore Israel from the house of David, and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them commit a great sin. 22 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them, 23 until the LORD removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, as it is to this day.

The Importance of Making Right Steps • One right step repeated over and over, leads to righteousness • Mao said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” • It is important that the first step be in the right direction!

One Wrong Step Made Nineteen Times • Jews left Egypt, entered promised land as God’s chosen people, ruled by righteous judges and three kings—Saul, David, Solomon • When Solomon died, 80% of Jews turned away from God’s temple • Look at the history of that 80%, the northern kingdom of Israel • Dates: Death of Solomon – 931 B. C. & Death of Israel – 722 B. C. • It all started with one wrong step; repeated again and again • Over 200 years walking in wrong direction with 19 evil kings

One Wrong Step Made by Nineteen Evil Kings The First King Making Wrong Step—Jeroboam, son of Nebat Nadab reigned 2 years Jehoahaz reigned 17 years Baasha reigned 24 year Jehoash reigned 16 years Elah reigned 2 years Jeroboam II reigned 41 years Zimri reigned 7 days Zechariah reigned 6 months Omri reigned 12 years Shallum reigned 1 month Ahab reigned 22 years Menahem reigned 10 years Ahaziah reigned 2 years Pekahiah reigned 2 years Jehoram reigned 12 years Pekah reigned 20 years Jehu reigned 28 Years Hoshea reigned 9 years

One Wrong Step Made First by Jeroboam The First King Making Wrong Step—Jeroboam, son of Nebat Nadab; Jehu; Baasha; Jehoahaz; Memahem; Elah; Zimri; Jehoash; Pekahiah; Omri; Jeroboam II; Pekah; Ahab; Ahaziah; Zechariah; Jehoram; Shallum; Hoshea Nineteen King and Seventeen Times Stated “And he walked in the ways (or sins) of Jeroboam, son of Nebat” God’s Summation of Why Israel Destroyed “For the children of Israel walked in the sins of Jeroboam, which he did; they did not depart from them:

The Sin of Jeroboam 931 B. C. • • • What was this terrible sin of Jeroboam The background of his sin lies in God’s plan for Jews God had worked hundreds of years to Jerusalem temple Before Jeroboam, all Jews followed God’s plan Jeroboam’s sin? Started a new “God” religion, a denomination

The Sin of Jeroboam 931 B. C. 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah. " 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!" 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan.

The Sin of Jeroboam 931 B. C. 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31 He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. 32 Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made. 33 So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense.

The Sin of Jeroboam 931 B. C. • • • What was this terrible sin of Jeroboam The background of his sin lies in God’s plan for Jews God had worked hundreds of years to Jerusalem temple Before Jeroboam, all Jews followed God’s plan Jeroboam’s sin? Started a new “God” religion, a denomination - They still worshiped the God who lead them from Egypt - They still had priests, altars, incense and “Jewish” feast days • The new religion was of human origin • The new religion was a religion of convenience • The new religion was sin—one step away from God

Walking in His Steps to Jesus • Believe Heb. 11: 6 • Repent Acts 17: 30 • Confess Faith in Him Rom. 10: 9 • Be Baptized Into Him Gal. 3: 27 You are Now a Member of His Glorious Church • Now be faithful until you die Rev. 2: 10