What other scriptures warn against turning to false gods and idols? Living in the shadow of Leviticus 20:5 Leviticus 20:5: “then I will set My face against that man and against his family and cut off from among their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves after Molech.” God’s resolve to “set His face against” idol-seekers is not an isolated warning; Scripture repeats it from Genesis to Revelation. Echoes in the Law of Moses • Exodus 20:3-5 – “You shall have no other gods before Me… You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.” • Exodus 34:14 – “For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” • Leviticus 19:4 – “Do not turn to idols or cast images of gods for yourselves; I am the LORD your God.” • Deuteronomy 6:14-15 – “Do not follow other gods… Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you.” • Deuteronomy 8:19 – “If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods… you will surely perish.” • Deuteronomy 11:16-17 – “Be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship… or the LORD’s anger will be kindled against you.” • Deuteronomy 27:15 – “Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol… and sets it up in secret.” Prophetic alarms • 1 Samuel 12:21 – “Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit or deliver; for they are empty.” • 2 Kings 17:35-38 – “Do not worship other gods, do not bow down to them… do not forget the covenant I have made with you.” • Isaiah 44:9 – “All makers of idols are nothing, and the treasures they prize are worthless.” • Jeremiah 25:6 – “Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands.” • Ezekiel 14:6-8 – “Repent and turn away from your idols… I will set My face against that man.” • Hosea 2:13 – “I will punish her for the days of the Baals to which she burned incense.” Songs of warning and wisdom • Psalm 16:4 – “Sorrows will multiply to those who chase after other gods.” • Psalm 97:7 – “All worshipers of images are put to shame—those who boast in idols.” • Psalm 115:4-8 – “Their idols are silver and gold… Those who make them will be like them, as will all who trust in them.” • Psalm 135:15-18 – “The idols of the nations are silver and gold… Those who make them will be like them.” New Testament confirmations • Acts 15:20 – “Write to them to abstain from food polluted by idols.” • Acts 17:29 – “We should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone.” • Romans 1:23-25 – They “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images… and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” • 1 Corinthians 10:14 – “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” • 2 Corinthians 6:16 – “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols?” • Galatians 5:19-21 – “Idolatry… those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” • Ephesians 5:5 – “No immoral, impure, or greedy person—that is, an idolater—has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” • 1 Thessalonians 1:9 – “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” • 1 John 5:21 – “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” • Revelation 9:20 – “They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood.” • Revelation 21:8 – “But… idolaters… will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.” Threads that bind the passages together • God’s jealousy guards His exclusive covenant love. • Idolatry is spiritual adultery, provoking His righteous anger. • False gods cannot save, satisfy, or speak; those who trust them become like them. • Judgment is certain for the unrepentant, yet mercy is held out to all who turn from idols to the living God. |
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