And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
Every morning and evening we burn offerings and sweet-smelling incense to the LORD. We also arrange the sacred bread on the pure table and light the golden lampstand with its lamps each evening. We are faithfully following the LORD our God's commands, but you have abandoned him.
The writer is contrasting faithful worship of God with those who have turned away from Him, emphasizing that true followers maintain consistent devotion through proper worship practices.
📚 Historical Context
This is King Abijah of Judah speaking to the northern kingdom of Israel before a battle around 913 BC. After Solomon's death, Israel had split into two kingdoms, with the northern kingdom setting up alternative worship centers and abandoning proper temple worship in Jerusalem. Abijah is defending Judah's faithfulness to God's prescribed worship while condemning Israel's apostasy.
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