Topical Bible: Israel: Renew Their Idolatry

◄ Israel: Renew Their Idolatry ►

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The history of Israel is marked by a recurring cycle of faithfulness to God followed by periods of idolatry and rebellion. This pattern is evident throughout the Old Testament, where the Israelites repeatedly turn away from the worship of Yahweh to embrace the gods of the surrounding nations. This entry explores the instances and implications of Israel's renewed idolatry, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible for scriptural references.

Idolatry in the Wilderness

The seeds of idolatry were sown early in Israel's history. After their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites quickly fell into idol worship. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the people grew impatient and demanded Aaron make them gods. Aaron complied, fashioning a golden calf, which the people worshiped, saying, "These, O Israel, are your gods, 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 avert their destruction.

The Era of the Judges

The Book of Judges chronicles a time when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). During this period, Israel repeatedly turned to the gods of the Canaanites, such as Baal and Ashtoreth. 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." This apostasy led to cycles of oppression by foreign powers, followed by deliverance through judges whom God raised up.

The Monarchy and Divided Kingdom

Under King Solomon, Israel reached the height of its power and influence. However, Solomon's marriages to foreign women led him to build high places for their gods, turning his heart away from the LORD (1 Kings 11:4-8). This idolatry set a precedent for future kings. After Solomon's reign, the kingdom divided, and Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, established golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from worshiping in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:28-30).

The southern kingdom of Judah also struggled with idolatry. Despite periods of reform under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, the people frequently returned to idol worship. The prophet Jeremiah lamented, "Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols" (Jeremiah 2:11).

Prophetic Warnings and Exile

The prophets consistently warned Israel and Judah of the consequences of their idolatry. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others called the people to repentance, emphasizing that their unfaithfulness would lead to judgment. Despite these warnings, the people persisted in their idolatrous practices. Ezekiel 8:10-11 describes the idolatry within the temple itself, where "every form of creeping thing and detestable beast" was portrayed on the walls, and seventy elders of Israel were seen offering incense.

Ultimately, the persistent idolatry led to the downfall of both kingdoms. The northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, and the southern kingdom of Judah was conquered by Babylon in 586 BC. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple marked a significant turning point, as the people were exiled from the land God had given them.

Post-Exilic Period

After the Babylonian exile, a remnant of Israelites returned to the land and rebuilt the temple. The experience of exile had a profound impact on the Jewish people, leading to a renewed commitment to monotheism and the Law. While idolatry in its traditional form diminished, the struggle against spiritual unfaithfulness continued, as evidenced by the teachings of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament.

Throughout Israel's history, the cycle of idolatry serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of turning away from God. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness and the consequences of spiritual adultery, themes that resonate throughout the Scriptures.

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Judges 3:12-30
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
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Library

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... chosen to make them your friends, and their friendship shall ... that our only remedy
is to renew continually our ... It is a poor affair if, like Israel, our devotion ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

Hezekiah
... courts to seek forgiveness and to renew their vows of ... The solemn warnings against
idolatry, spoken through Moses in the hearing of all Israel, had been ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... many forgot their fears and turned again to idolatry. ... the chastened and penitent
of Israel and Judah were at last to renew their covenant relationship ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

Jeroboam
... reign, many might feel inclined to renew their allegiance to the ... Never was the kingdom
of Israel to be left ... hours some would remain true to their divine Ruler ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

"Behold Your God!"
... they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they ... eyes shall have respect
to the Holy One of Israel. ... forgiven, and they were to make their boast in ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 26 behold your god.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... were here to meet their God and renew their vows of ... thee a man to be ruler in Israel."
2 Chronicles 7 ... the Israelites forsake "the Lord God of their fathers" and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

"The House of Israel"
... would have brought untold blessing"the Lord now offered to renew with those ... holds
out His hand to take the hand of Israel and to ... Their motives were selfish. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

The Restoration.
... the priest, stimulated the people to renew their building operations ... now that they
are back in their own land ... material kingdoms, while spiritual Israel lived on ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvi the restoration.htm

Repentance and victory
... the hand' into which they have struck their fangs, we ... eloquent of former disgrace,
we may renew the struggle ... The Lord was helping Israel no less by sorrow and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

A Godly Reformation
... To make a covenant' probably means to renew the covenant ... not consult priests or people,
but expects their acquiescence ... the power of the kings of Israel and Judah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a godly reformation.htm