Golden Calf
[Bulls] This sin was committed twice by Aaron and the people [Exod. 32:4, 8] and then by Jeroboam who reasoned he would not be able to maintain the political division while religious unity existed [1 Kings 12:26-27]. Therefore he chose to alter the religion of the North just enough to deprive Jerusalem of its role as the only center of worship of the Lord. Jeroboam made two golden calves [bulls] and placed one in the northern part of his kingdom at Dan, and the other in the southern part of his kingdom at Bethel. Jeroboam was not introducing new gods. Rather he was claiming that these were visible representations of the Lord who 'brought them up from the land of Egypt' [12:28]. He was not saying that the Lord was the calf. The bull was revered in ancient times as a symbol of great strength. This sin of the golden calf sets up an idol to worship God to assist supposedly in their understanding of God. [Pathetic-make no images to assist in worship-violates the 2nd commandment]
Aaron, who made a calf of gold for worship was Israel's first high priest so Jeroboam had history on his side. Jeroboam also changed the religious calendar and the priesthood. Jeroboam was introducing his own version of the worship of the Lord.
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