Topical Bible: Idolatry: Early Notice of, Amongst God's Professing People

◄ Idolatry: Early Notice of, Amongst God's Professing People ►

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or the elevation of anything above the one true God, is a recurring theme in the Bible, particularly as it pertains to the people of Israel, who were chosen by God to be a holy nation. Despite their unique covenant relationship with God, the Israelites frequently fell into the sin of idolatry, which is sternly condemned throughout Scripture.

The Golden Calf Incident

One of the earliest and most notable instances of idolatry among God's people is the incident of the golden calf, which occurred shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, the people grew impatient and demanded that Aaron make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied and fashioned a calf from their gold jewelry. The people proclaimed, "These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked God's wrath, and Moses interceded on behalf of the people to prevent their destruction.

Idolatry in the Wilderness

Throughout their wilderness journey, the Israelites struggled with idolatry. In Numbers 25, the Israelites began to engage in the worship of Baal of Peor, influenced by the Moabite women. This provoked the Lord's anger, resulting in a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites. The incident underscores the persistent temptation of idolatry and its severe consequences.

Warnings Against Idolatry

The Law given to Moses included explicit warnings against idolatry. The first two commandments directly address this issue: "You shall have no other gods before Me" and "You shall not make for yourself an idol" (Exodus 20:3-4). These commandments highlight the exclusivity of worship that God demands from His people. The Israelites were repeatedly warned that idolatry would lead to their downfall and exile from the Promised Land.

Idolatry During the Conquest and Settlement

As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were instructed to destroy the idols and altars of the Canaanites. However, they often failed to fully obey these commands, leading to periods of syncretism where they combined the worship of Yahweh with that of local deities. Judges 2:11-12 states, "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt."

The Monarchy and Idolatry

During the period of the monarchy, idolatry continued to plague Israel and Judah. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, fell into idolatry in his later years, influenced by his foreign wives. 1 Kings 11:4 records, "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been."

Subsequent kings, particularly in the northern kingdom of Israel, perpetuated idolatry. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom, set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading Israel into sin (1 Kings 12:28-30). The southern kingdom of Judah also experienced periods of idolatry, though there were occasional reforms under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah.

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets consistently condemned idolatry, calling the people to repentance and warning of impending judgment. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others spoke against the futility and destructiveness of idol worship. Isaiah 44:9-10 declares, "Those who fashion idols are all nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame."

Conclusion

The early notice of idolatry among God's professing people serves as a sobering reminder of the human tendency to stray from true worship. Despite the clear commands and warnings, the Israelites repeatedly fell into idolatry, highlighting the need for vigilance and faithfulness in the worship of the one true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 31:19,30
And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 35:1-4
And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar to God, that appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.
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Joshua 24:2
And Joshua said to all the people, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelled on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Discourse
... all debauchery, inhumanity, profaneness, superstition, and idolatry,' will be ... that
which in special I take notice of is ... light against light was so early in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

Heb. 4:14 Our Profession
... by publicly promising to give up idolatry and wickedness ... a Christian profession in
the early Church unless ... thoughtless, irreligious world takes notice of such ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xii heb 4 14 our.htm

The Strait Gate;
... Why, amongst the rest of their service, this was one ... proved; wherefore, without more
words, I will, God assisting by ... These are also taken notice of in Job, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Colossians iii. 17
... be better signified by the term idolatry; a reverence ... doubt the importance of studying
the early Christian writers ... perplexed us, as I shall notice more fully ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... squadrons and generals, lest after an early victory there ... At the same time we must
notice the Apostle's ... the world vanishes like the clouds, amongst the other ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... grace of God freed us from this false doctrine, impiety, and blasphemy, and from
those persons who have dared to cause discord and division among the people ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... One day, amongst all the ... As for secret thoughts, I took no notice of them; neither
did I ... In early life he had been, like Bunyan, a thoroughly depraved character ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm