Topical Bible: Armies: Often Destroyed by Brought Their Idols With Them

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Throughout the biblical narrative, the theme of armies being destroyed due to their reliance on idols is a recurring motif. This theme underscores the futility of idolatry and the sovereignty of the God of Israel. The Bible consistently portrays the downfall of nations and their armies when they place their trust in idols rather than the one true God.

One of the most illustrative examples is found in the account of the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib. In 2 Kings 19, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invades Judah and boasts of his previous conquests, attributing his success to the power of his gods. However, the prophet Isaiah delivers a message from the Lord to King Hezekiah, assuring him that the Assyrian army will not succeed. The Lord declares, "I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David" (2 Kings 19:34). That very night, the angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp, demonstrating the impotence of their idols and the might of the God of Israel.

Similarly, the Philistines, known for their worship of Dagon and other deities, often faced defeat when confronting the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 5, after capturing the Ark of the Covenant, the Philistines place it in the temple of Dagon. The following morning, they find their idol fallen face down before the Ark. This incident is a powerful symbol of the superiority of the God of Israel over the idols of the nations. The Philistines suffer plagues and ultimately return the Ark, acknowledging the power of the God of Israel.

The narrative of Gideon in Judges 6-7 also highlights the theme of idolatry leading to destruction. The Midianites, who oppressed Israel, are defeated by Gideon's small army of 300 men. Before this victory, Gideon is instructed by God to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. This act of destroying idols precedes the miraculous victory, emphasizing that deliverance comes from the Lord, not from the strength or numbers of an army.

In the prophetic literature, the downfall of idolatrous nations is a common theme. Isaiah 37:19 states, "They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands." This verse highlights the ultimate fate of those who trust in idols: destruction and humiliation.

The biblical record consistently affirms that reliance on idols leads to defeat and destruction. The God of Israel, who demands exclusive worship and allegiance, demonstrates His power and sovereignty by delivering His people and defeating their enemies. The destruction of armies that bring their idols with them serves as a stark reminder of the futility of idolatry and the supremacy of the one true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 14:12
And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... of religion is convenient and cheap, and often effectual in ... The armies of the Assyrians,
not the prophets, are ... destroy, and now it shall be destroyed as they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ...
... defeat of Syrian and Egyptian armies of relief. ... the city was now not only destroyed,
but actually ... the censorship of the press, been often purposely substituted ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in judaea and.htm

On the Incarnation and Redemption
... they became so bad that God destroyed by a ... a great and powerful king, with mighty
armies conquering the ... animals into these caves, they are often called stables ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 7 on the incarnation.htm

Cyrus, the Servant Of-The Lord {4}
... And the two little armies of foot-soldiers"the ... so grand that they have been often
enough applied ... and effect ensued: Alexander of Macedon destroyed the Persian ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/cyrus the servant of-the lord.htm

The Servant of the Lord.
... And the two little armies of foot-soldiers"the ... so grand that they have been often
enough applied ... and effect ensued: Alexander of Macedon destroyed the Persian ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture iv the servant of.htm

Repentance and victory
... exterminated; Shiloh seems to have been destroyed, or, at ... Probably the armies met
on some piece of level ... and overcome temptations which have often conquered us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... he knoweth not." [The prophet Hosea often referred to ... "O Israel," He declared, "thou
hast destroyed thyself; but ... long reign of Jeroboam II the armies of Israel ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

The Sixth Book
... Armies about to engage in battle are said either to ... it happens, as it does only too
often, that on ... of the Christian people is utterly destroyed, and through a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the sixth book.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... at length their city and temple were destroyed by the ... Hence often the feuds which
obtain among religious people ... and jealousy, and maintain great armies on all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... occur to true believers are consequently often very painful ... knew that Jerusalem was
to be destroyed, and he ... they saw Jerusalem compassed with armies they might ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/godly fear and its goodly.htm