Topical Bible: Pillar: Monuments of Idolatry, to be Destroyed

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In the biblical context, pillars often served as physical representations of spiritual realities or covenants. However, when associated with idolatry, these structures were seen as abominations to be eradicated. The Bible provides numerous instances where God commands the destruction of idolatrous pillars, emphasizing His desire for exclusive worship and the rejection of false gods.

Biblical Commandments Against Idolatrous Pillars

The Israelites were repeatedly instructed to dismantle and destroy any pillars associated with idol worship. In Exodus 23:24, God commands, "You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces." This directive underscores the necessity of removing any physical structures that could lead the Israelites astray from worshiping the one true God.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 7:5, the Israelites are instructed, "But this is how you are to treat them: Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire." The destruction of these pillars and other idolatrous symbols was a means of purifying the land and ensuring that the Israelites remained faithful to God's covenant.

Historical Instances of Destruction

Throughout the history of Israel, faithful leaders took action to remove idolatrous pillars. One notable example is found in the reign of King Josiah, who initiated a comprehensive reform to rid Judah of idolatry. 2 Kings 23:14 records, "He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones." Josiah's actions were in direct obedience to God's commands and served to restore proper worship in the land.

Another instance is seen during the time of Gideon, who was instructed by God to destroy the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole beside it. Judges 6:25-26 recounts, "That same night the LORD said to him, 'Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper kind of altar to the LORD your God on the top of this height.'" Gideon's obedience led to a significant spiritual victory for Israel.

Theological Significance

The destruction of idolatrous pillars is deeply rooted in the theological principle of monotheism and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. These actions were not merely about physical demolition but represented a spiritual cleansing and a return to covenant faithfulness. The presence of idolatrous pillars was a direct challenge to God's sovereignty and a temptation for the Israelites to stray from their commitment to Him.

The biblical mandate to destroy these monuments of idolatry serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining purity in worship and the dangers of syncretism. It highlights the need for God's people to be vigilant in identifying and removing any form of idolatry that may infiltrate their lives, ensuring that their devotion remains solely directed toward the Lord.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 12:3
And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and you shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Second Commandment
... Therefore keep yourself pure from Romish idolatry; if you love your souls ... (1) We
are all living monuments of his ... As Israel had a pillar of fire to go before them ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

The Bible
... were populous, the temples and monuments colossal. ... harlot signifying fornication,
and fornication, idolatry"image worship ... who leads them in a pillar of cloud ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... taken by Jacob in purging out idolatry by putting ... this instance again a sacred memorial
pillar; and since ... here of the fact that "these monuments were doubtless ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

A Discourse
... debauchery, inhumanity, profaneness, superstition, and idolatry,' will be ... persecuted,
and, if possible destroyed by Satan ... in her time is the pillar and ground ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The prophets, their struggle against Phonician idolatry, the story of ... The only one
of their monuments which has been ... king, by the oak of the pillar which was ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... Indeed, there was an Artaxerxes that put a stop to this work of God (chap 4), and
he also was of the kings that had destroyed the Babylonians; for it doth not ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... Will not your brother be offended if he sees you sitting in that idol temple?" Here
of course he brings himself in guilty of idolatry; for if reading causes ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... For the southern Picts, who had their homes within those mountains, had long before,
as is reported, forsaken the error of idolatry, and embraced the true faith ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm