How ancient Israel kept on sinning
When you read the Old Testament, undoubtedly you are going to come across many references to “high places”.
What the heck is that???
That’s a great question and for as often as they show up in the Old Testament, I think we should have some kind of idea about what they are and what they look like. Otherwise, when reading the Bible, we won’t be able to accurately picture what it’s describing!
The general idea of a “high place” was a hill top or other elevated location (hence the word “high”) where worship was conducted.
Simple enough, right?
Since the place was for worship, most likely there would be the accoutrement of worship there… like an altar. That would allow the people to go to the high place and make sacrifices.
Why hilltops? I’m not sure. Perhaps it felt closer to the heavens. Perhaps because it had a great view of the surrounding area and that made it feel special.
What we know from the biblical text is that the people worshipped there.
“For they also built for themselves high places and pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, and there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that the LORD drove out before the people of Israel.” (1 Kings 14:23-24)
But oddly enough it wasn’t just idol worship that happened in the high places. Even Solomon (the wise) chose to use high places to worship God!
“Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.” (1 Kings 3:3)
This is very odd since Solomon is also the king who built the Temple where God’s presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies. Apparently he thought the places were special like the temple – but God wasn’t happy about it…. that’s why the text calls out that the high places worship was a deviation from the path of David which was better.
Now, to give you an even BETTER idea about the High Places, a friend of mine recently traveled to the holy land and took some photos of an altar on top of a high place in Jordan.
I put those photos on my website:
https://www.dennis-stevenson.com/understanding-high-places-in-the-old-testament/
There are 3 photos that will really give you the idea of a whole complex of altars and platforms where worship could be given to a deity.
These are built of stone, so you can see how destroying it would take some real effort. Throughout the time of the Kings, this is often one of the key points that measures the righteousness of the king himself… what did he do with the high places? How did he protect and preserve the worship of Jehovah?
I hope this gives you a better idea of what the words in your Bible mean. I hope it enriches your reading. I hope it helps you fall more in love with God.
Until next time,
Dennis
As you get this email, I’m getting ready to launch my book Give Us A King! on Amazon. It walks step by step through the kings of Israel and Judah. Informative introductions to each lesson, scripted readings, question-and-answer workbook format, full answers in an explanation of every chapter.
You can see the links to the Amazon pre-order page or buy immediately from my website from the page I linked above.
The full Amazon availability (ebook & print) will be on August 4.
