Paper Topic 6

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I
Compare Exodus 32 (The Golden Calf) to 1 Kings 12:25 (Jeroboam's Calf). What does this story appear to tell us about Northern Israel's religion? Is it likely that all the Northern tribes were apostates? Is it likely that the northern tribes are just doing evil in the eyes of the southern kingdom and may actually have been worshippers of YHWH all along?
How does Hosea 8:5 help you decide? Look at the beginning of Hosea's book to see if you have some clues about his background.

II
What is the meaning of the story of the Exodus for the Israelites living under the monarchy? Would it have a special meaning in the Northern tribes which it did not have in the Southern tribes? Can you substantiate these positions?

Here are some passages which might interest you:
1. Genesis 15:13-15; Exodus 1, Exodus 3:22
2. Hosea 11-14; Amos 11-2; Amos 4, especially vs. 9f; 9:7f
3. 1 Kings 12:1-24