Have you ever noticed how often we choose what’s easiest rather than what’s best? It happens in our daily routines, but it also happens in our faith. King Jeroboam once told Israel, “It’s too much trouble to go up to Jerusalem to worship”—and in doing so, he created a religion of convenience that looked spiritual but was hollow inside. It makes us wonder: how often do we trade true devotion for something easier, something that costs less, but also offers less? What if the easy way in faith is actually the most dangerous path of all?
Jeroboam then built up the city of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and it became his capital. Later he went and built up the town of Peniel. Jeroboam thought to himself, “Unless I am careful, the kingdom will return to the dynasty of David. When these people go to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple of the Lord, they will again give their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah. They will kill me and make him their king instead.” So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. He said to the people, “It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. Look, Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!” He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan—at either end of his kingdom. But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols, traveling as far north as Dan to worship the one there. Jeroboam also erected buildings at the pagan shrines and ordained priests from the common people—those who were not from the priestly tribe of Levi. And Jeroboam instituted a religious festival in Bethel, held on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in imitation of the annual Festival of Shelters in Judah. There at Bethel he himself offered sacrifices to the calves he had made, and he appointed priests for the pagan shrines he had made. So on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a day that he himself had designated, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar at Bethel. He instituted a religious festival for Israel, and he went up to the altar to burn incense. 1 Kings 12:25-33
Characteristics of Easy Religion
So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. I Kings 12:28
Jeroboam also erected buildings at the pagan shrines and ordained priests from the common people—those who were not from the priestly tribe of Levi. I Kings 12:31
And Jeroboam instituted a religious festival in Bethel… in imitation of the annual Festival of Shelters in Judah. Kings 12:32
Causes of Easy Religion
Jeroboam thought to himself, “Unless I am careful, the kingdom will return to the dynasty of David. When these people go to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple of the Lord, they will again give their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah. They will kill me and make him their king instead.” I Kings 12:26-27
Cost of Easy Religion
But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols… I Kings 12:30
The Cure for Easy Religion
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… Romans 12:2
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