Idols
Idolatry – the worship of something created
Heb: images Gk: images, heathen god
While we find bowing down to a statue no temptation, Israel apparently slipped into
idolatry constantly.
Israel’s ancient neighbors believed there were many gods. They worshiped whatever
gods were necessary at the given time.
The Bible strictly forbids the making of images of any kind (Ex 20:3-7), because they
themselves receive worship that God jealously reserves for Himself.
Idolatry can take many forms, and it has persisted from the earliest times. Josh 24:2
states that Abraham’s father served idols. Perhaps the earliest reference in the Bible
to idols is the “household idols” that Rachel stole from her father Laban when she and
Leah fled with Jacob (Gen 31:30-35). This is why Rachel died see vs 32.
Aaron made a golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai, when the Israelites lost their
patience waiting for Moses to return with the revelation of the true and living God (Ex
32:1-4).
The conquest of Canaan by the Hebrews brought new temptations to worship the
object created rather then the Creator (Josh 24:15) poses the classic question “Whom
will you serve?”
Others tried the route of compromise: the mixing of idolatry with worship of the true
God. So, Gideon’s ephod was made an object of worship (Judge 8:24-27).
Much later there was another instance of an otherwise good symbol of God’s
deliverance turned into an idol. In King Hezekiah’s time the people worshiped Moses’
bronze snake (Num 21:9, II King 18:4).
Starting with Elijah the prophets called on the people to turn from the worship of false
gods back to reverence for the true God. Hosea’s entire book is devoted to preaching
against idolatry (Hos 8:5, 13:2) (Isa 2:8, Jer 50:2, I Sam 15:23).
In the letters of Paul and others New Testament books Christians are frequently
warned against idolatry. The Christians lived in a world filled with idols. Paul’s
observation about Athens in Acts 17:16 tells it well: He saw that the city was given over
to idols.
In the New Testament period the term “idolatry” began to be used as an intellectual
concept. Idolatry became not bowing before a statue but the replacement of God in
the mind of the worshiper. Col 3:5 points in this direction see also Eph 5:5 & Gal 5:19-
20. At this point the modern believer must understand the vicious nature of idolatry.
While we may not make and bow down to a statue, we must be constantly on guard
that we let nothing come between us and God. As soon as anything does, that thing is
an idol (I Thess 1:4-9).
In addition to material objects such as houses, land, and cars, idols can be popular
heroes or those whom we love. Remember when Abraham’s love for Isaac got so
great, God tested Abraham to see where his love lies.
Objects of worship can even include things like fame, reputation, hobbies, pride and
deeds done in the name of the Lord (I Cor 10:14, I John 5:21).