Jeroboam was a devious and divisive character in the Old Testament, perhaps best known for dividing the nation of Israel and becoming the first king of the northern kingdom. Among his first acts as king were major changes that he made to the worship of the Lord. Go and read about these in 1 Kings 12:25-33.
These changes came about when “Jeroboam said in his heart…” (12:26). The verses that follow detail changes that HE made to the object, location, time, manner and leaders of the worship. All of these changes were enacted as he “devised in his own heart” (12:33).
As you read these nine verses, it is hard not to ask the question, “Who gave him the right to make such changes to the worship?” The answer is that no one gave him such a right. He just did what “his heart” desired, and such was an abomination before God. What does that tell us about our worship today? We have no right to change what God has prescribed! Let us truly “worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).