What other scriptures emphasize the importance of worshiping God alone? Hezekiah’s Stand: 2 Kings 18:22 in Focus The Assyrian envoy mocked Judah’s trust in the LORD, noting that Hezekiah had removed the high places so the people would “worship before this altar in Jerusalem” alone. That taunt actually highlights Scripture’s consistent call to honor the one true God and no other. Foundational Old Testament Commands • Exodus 20:3-5 — “You shall have no other gods before Me… You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” • Deuteronomy 6:4-5 — “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” • Deuteronomy 6:13-14 — “Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only… Do not follow other gods.” • Joshua 24:14 — “Now therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your fathers served… and serve the LORD.” Psalms and Chronicles: Praise Reserved for God Alone • 1 Chronicles 16:25 — “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.” • Psalm 96:4-5 — “For great is the LORD… For all the gods of the nations are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” Prophetic Reminders of God’s Sole Deity • Isaiah 42:8 — “I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.” • Isaiah 45:22 — “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” New Testament Echoes • Matthew 4:10 — “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” • John 4:23-24 — “The Father is seeking such as these to worship Him… God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” • Romans 12:1 — “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices… your spiritual service of worship.” • 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 — “We know that an idol is nothing… yet for us there is but one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ.” • 1 Corinthians 10:14 — “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” • 1 John 5:21 — “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” • Revelation 14:7 — “Fear God and give Him glory… worship the One who made the heavens and the earth.” Living with Undivided Allegiance • Guard the heart from modern idols—anything that competes with God’s rightful place. • Keep corporate worship centered on the LORD, as Hezekiah did. • Let daily choices—time, resources, affections—declare that the LORD alone is worthy. |
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