Dictionary of Bible Themes Belief in, and worship of, more than one god. It is forbidden in Scripture because God has revealed himself as the one true God. Israel in the OT and the church in the NT lived amongst polytheistic peoples. The Israelites shared in this worship and so came under God's judgment. Isaiah 45:5-6The uniqueness of God See also There is only one true God Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:39Isaiah 43:10; 44:8 1 Thessalonians 1:9 See also The contrast of the true God with idols 1 Chronicles 16:26Isaiah 40:18-19,25-26 Acts 17:29 pp Ps 96:5 1 Corinthians 8:4-6Galatians 4:8 Exodus 20:23 Polytheism is expressly forbidden See also Warnings against worshipping idols Exodus 20:3-5Exodus 23:13 Leviticus 17:7 pp Dt 5:7-9 2 Kings 17:35-38See also Polytheism compromises relationship with God Deuteronomy 31:16Jeremiah 11:10 1 Corinthians 10:18-22 Joshua 24:15 See also The challenge to Israel to worship God only Genesis 35:2-4Deuteronomy 12:2-4 1 Kings 18:21 Exodus 22:20 Polytheism brings God's judgment Deuteronomy 31:17-18Joshua 23:16 Jeremiah 11:11-13 Judges 10:6 Polytheism among Israel's neighbours See also Judges 16:231 Kings 11:33 2 Kings 1:2; 17:29-33 Isaiah 46:1 Jeremiah 50:2 Ezekiel 8:14 Numbers 33:51-52 Polytheism among the Israelites See also They were called to destroy foreign gods Exodus 23:24; 34:12-13Deuteronomy 12:2-3 2 Kings 17:15-18 Jeremiah 2:11 They were seduced by foreign gods See also Exodus 34:15-16Numbers 25:2 Deuteronomy 12:30; 32:16-17 Judges 2:11-13 Psalms 106:34-36 Hosea 2:13; 11:2 1 Kings 11:5-7 Polytheism among Israel's kings 1 Kings 12:28-29Solomon 1 Kings 16:30-33Jeroboam, king of Israel 2 Kings 16:3-4Ahab, king of Israel 2 Kings 21:3-5Ahaz, king of Judah 1 Kings 15:12-13Manasseh, king of Judah Examples of reforming kings 2 Kings 18:4Asa, king of Judah 2 Kings 23:12-15Hezekiah, king of Judah Josiah, king of Judah Leviticus 26:1The character of polytheism in the OT 1 Kings 14:23The physical representation of deities Isaiah 48:5Deuteronomy 23:17 1 Kings 14:24 Cult prostitution Leviticus 18:21Human sacrifice Deuteronomy 12:312 Kings 3:26-27 to Molech Jeremiah 19:5to Chemosh Ezekiel 16:20-21to Baal 1 Kings 18:28-29Self-mutilation Acts 17:23Polytheism in the NT It was widespread See also Acts 14:11-13; 19:35The Athenians were fearful of offending a god by failing to give him attention. Any omissions were covered in the designation "UNKNOWN GOD". 1 Corinthians 8:5-61 Corinthians 12:2 See also The worship of man-made idols Acts 17:16; 19:26Romans 1:20-23 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 See also Idols in themselves are nothing, but they represent a demonic presence which lies behind polytheistic worship. 1170 God, unity of7314 blood 8140 prize 8624 worship, reasons 8748 false religion 8768 idolatry 8830 suspicion 8832 testing 8841 unfaithfulness to people |
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