Idolatry
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Introduction
Introduction
Perhaps, we have a problem. Kyle Idelman came to the same conclusion. He wrote:
“I’ll tell you the moment that convinced me we had a problem. A few years ago, one of my friends traveled to India on a missions trip. After he returned, he was excited to show me pictures and tell me about his journey. My friend had a picture of what was essentially the family room in an Indian home.
The centerpiece, what we’d think of as the mantle, featured a carved idol. He pointed out that every seat in the room was carefully arranged so that it faced this idol.
I shook my head sadly at the sight of a family with a false god at the very center of its world. A few hours later, I walked in the front door of my house and had a seat in my recliner. I grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and kicked back in the chair. Suddenly it hit me. My eyes scanned the room slowly, and sure enough every seat in our room was carefully positioned to face the fifty-inch flat screen on my mantel.
This problem is idolatry. This refers to “the worship of an image or figure considered a representation or copy of a deity.” Yet more broadly, it seems to suggest a sort of spiritual adultery.
The Root of Idolatry
The Root of Idolatry
For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Idolatry is forsaking the fountain of life.
Idolatry is finding water in broken cisterns.
Idolatry is the rule, not the exception.
Idolatry is the rule, not the exception.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Israel’s Worship of Idols
Immediately after their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites made their first idol—the Golden Calf (Exodus 32).
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Israel’s Worship of Idols
In the land of Canaan, Israel began worshiping idols after Joshua’s death (Judg 2:11–13).
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Israel’s Worship of Idols
In the tribal period, Israel would alternately be obedient (while led by a judge) and idolatrous the rest the time.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Israel’s Worship of Idols
During the united monarchy, Solomon married foreign women and worshiped the idols of their deities (1 Kgs 11:1–8). This marked the coming fall of the monarchy.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Israel’s Worship of Idols
During the divided monarchy, both Israel and Judah worshiped idols. After splitting from Judah, Jeroboam made golden calves for the northern kingdom to worship instead of Yahweh (1 Kgs 12:25–33). In Judah, Rehoboam worshiped Asherahs (1 Kgs 14:23). The worship of idols continued in Judah—only Hezekiah, King of Judah (2 Kgs 18:4) and Josiah (2 Kgs 23:4–25) attempted to eradicate it
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Israel’s Worship of Idols
During the Babylonian exile, the prophets condemn Israel for idolatry. Isaiah 42:17 prophesies that those who worship idols will be humiliated.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Israel’s Worship of Idols
In the postexilic period, intermarriage with foreign nations, which led to idol worship, is condemned (Mal 2:10–16; Ezra 9–10; Neh 13:23–31).
English Standard Version Chapter 10
Now these things happened to them as an example, but tthey were written down for our instruction, uon whom the end of the ages has come.
The End of Idolatry
The End of Idolatry
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
What you revere, you resemble, either for ruin or restoration.
And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
G. K. Beale paraphrases this passage, “Isaiah , go and tell this idolatrous that they have been so unrepentant about their idol worship that I am going to make them as spiritually insensitive as the idols, as spiritually inanimate as the idols. You like idols, Israel? All right, you are going to become like an idol, and that’s the judgment.”
The end of idolatry is eternal separation from God.
Resolve to end idolatry.
Resolve to end idolatry.
Do we have a problem? Is there a problem that at times I enjoy playing my Nintendo Switch more than I enjoy my relationship with the God of heaven of earth? Even when my life revolves around the study of the Bible, I am tempted to make much of my study rather than God.
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.
And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
They understood that our God is greater than any loss we experience.
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
We understand this principle in worldly terms. If you’re an alcoholic, you probably shouldn’t hang around bars. If you’re on a diet, you probably should hang out at Canes...
We can’t end idolatry; Jesus did.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
See the gods around you; cut yourself off from them.
Are you resolved with me to end idolatry by seeking God for our joy and repentance?
