Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8771 idolatry, objections to

8771 idolatry, objections to

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8768 idolatry » 8771 idolatry, objections to

Scripture presents idolatry as absurd and irrational, offensive to God and a source of spiritual and moral danger.

Idolatry is disparaged

The absurdity of making idols

Habakkuk 2:18 See also Deuteronomy 4:28; Isaiah 40:18-20; Isaiah 41:6-7; Jeremiah 10:3-9; Hosea 10:6; Habakkuk 2:19

Idols represent falsehood and fraud

Bowing down to idols is inappropriate

Psalm 135:17-18 pp Psalm 115:5-8 See also Isaiah 2:8; Isaiah 44:15-17; Isaiah 46:6; Jeremiah 1:16; Micah 5:13

Idols contrasted with the LORD

Isaiah 46:5 See also Isaiah 40:25-26; Jeremiah 5:24; Jeremiah 10:10; Hosea 2:8; Acts 17:24-25

Idolatry is forbidden by God

Exodus 20:3-4 pp Deuteronomy 5:7-8

Idolatry incurs severe penalties

Zephaniah 1:4 See also Deuteronomy 13:1-9,12-15; Isaiah 66:4; Amos 5:27; Nahum 1:14

God abominates idols

Ezekiel 7:20 Two terms, that is “idols” and “vile images”, meaning “abomination” are found here in parallel. A third, punning on the word for “dung” is often used by Ezekiel for idols. See also Deuteronomy 7:25; 2 Kings 23:24; Ezekiel 5:9,11; Ezekiel 6:4

Pressure to worship idols must be resisted and idols abandoned

Daniel 3:18 See also Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 30:22; Isaiah 31:7

The dangers of idolatry

Blindness

Isaiah 44:18

Becoming like idols

Psalm 115:8 See also Jeremiah 2:5; Hosea 9:10

Spiritual adultery

Deuteronomy 31:16 See also Judges 8:33; Isaiah 1:21; Jeremiah 13:27; Hosea 1:2; Hosea 2:7; Hosea 8:9

Injustice

Amos 5:7