Topical Bible: Egypt: Idolatry of, Followed by Israel

◄ Egypt: Idolatry of, Followed by Israel ►

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Egypt, a prominent nation in biblical history, is frequently associated with idolatry and pagan worship practices. The Israelites' exposure to Egyptian idolatry during their sojourn in Egypt had lasting effects on their spiritual journey and relationship with God.

Idolatry in Egypt

Egypt was renowned for its pantheon of gods and goddesses, each representing various aspects of life and nature. The Egyptians worshiped deities such as Ra, the sun god; Osiris, the god of the afterlife; and Isis, the goddess of magic and motherhood. These gods were often represented by idols and images, which were central to Egyptian religious practices.

The Bible highlights the idolatrous nature of Egypt in several passages. In Exodus 12:12, during the account of the Passover, God declares, "On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both man and beast—and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD." This statement underscores the spiritual battle between the God of Israel and the false gods of Egypt.

Influence on Israel

The Israelites' prolonged exposure to Egyptian culture and religion during their 400-year stay inevitably influenced their own religious practices. Despite witnessing the mighty acts of God during the Exodus, the Israelites struggled with idolatry, often reverting to the practices they observed in Egypt.

One of the most notable instances of Israel's idolatry is the incident of the golden calf at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 32:1-4, the people, impatient for Moses' return, demanded Aaron make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied, fashioning a calf from gold, reminiscent of the Egyptian bull god Apis. The people proclaimed, "These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4).

The prophet Ezekiel also references Israel's idolatrous inclinations, noting their rebellion and idol worship in Egypt. In Ezekiel 20:7-8, God recounts, "And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes; do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. They did not cast away the abominations before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt."

Continued Struggle with Idolatry

The influence of Egyptian idolatry persisted throughout Israel's history. Even after entering the Promised Land, the Israelites frequently turned to the worship of foreign gods, a sin that led to their downfall and exile. The prophets repeatedly called the people to repentance, urging them to abandon the idols they had adopted from surrounding nations, including those reminiscent of Egyptian deities.

In summary, Egypt's idolatry had a profound impact on the Israelites, shaping their spiritual struggles and testing their faithfulness to the one true God. The biblical narrative consistently warns against the dangers of idolatry, using Egypt as a cautionary example of the consequences of turning away from God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 32:4
And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a engraving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 20:8,19
But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the middle of the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Israel in Canaan.
... to hold any dealings with those who followed it ... than they would fall back again into
idolatry, and receive ... not Canaanites, but had once dwelt in Egypt, and then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had ... they trace Israel's fall to its
cause in idolatry. ... the bare notice in verse 6, immediately followed by verse 24 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience
... which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods ... They are: Relapse
into idolatry, retribution, respite and deliverance, and brief return ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/israels obstinacy and gods patience.htm

The Census of Israel
... the world, the generation which came out of Egypt must die ... The taint of slavery and
idolatry must be lessened if ... top of Nebo to die, the people followed him up ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... The sin of idolatry, while it is the worst of ... brought them out of the land of Egypt,
and followed ... Solomon, in turn, was followed by a number of idolatrous ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Israel Returning
... Petitions are followed by vows ... to Assyria for help, nor to seek protection from Egypt's
cavalry, nor ... His renunciation of idolatry is based, in the second clause ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/israel returning.htm

The Call of Moses
... midst of the divine communication which followed and interpreted ... probably had in
many instances fallen into idolatry. ... of Moses, or had been forgotten in Egypt. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the call of moses.htm

Egypt
... Alexander was followed by the Ptolemies ... Such were the Egyptians and such was Egypt
where the childhood ... also a land of popular superstition and idolatry, and the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Chosen People
... his sojourn, what Joseph was in Egypt, and Daniel ... During the centuries that followed,
they suffered from the ... world in order to escape temptation to idolatry. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 2 the chosen people.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... The people of his time were falling into idolatry. ... There is no mention of the bondage
in Egypt nor of ... fugitive, fleeing from his own crimes, is followed by the ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm