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Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 15 - Verse 35

15:35
Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.

Meaning

In this verse, the mention of the high places not being removed signifies a disregard for the commands of the Lord. Throughout the Old Testament, the high places were locations where the people of Israel would engage in idol worship, offering sacrifices and burning incense to false gods. Despite the efforts to reform and purify the worship practices in the temple of the Lord, the people continued to participate in these idolatrous rituals in the high places. Additionally, the construction of the higher gate of the house of the Lord symbolizes a further departure from the purity and holiness that God requires in worship. By building a gate that elevates the entrance to the temple, it may have provided a platform for even more extravagant and pagan practices to take place within the sacred space. Overall, this verse highlights the constant struggle of the Israelites to remain faithful to God and His commandments, as well as the dangers of compromising one's worship practices.

Theological Overview

The verse you are referring to is 2 Kings 15:35, which talks about King Jotham's reign over Judah. The mention of "high places" in this verse is significant because these were locations where pagans traditionally worshiped their gods through sacrifices and burning incense. Despite Jotham's efforts to rule righteously, the high places were not completely eradicated during his reign. This highlights the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to fully commit to worshipping the one true God. The reference to building the higher gate of the house of the LORD may signify Jotham's devotion to the temple and to the worship of God in a centralized, proper location. However, it also showcases the tension between preserving traditional practices and embracing the reforms necessary to worship God faithfully. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by believers in maintaining true worship and avoiding the temptations of idolatry.

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