Topical Bible: Idolatry: Altars Raised For

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often depicted as a grievous sin against the one true God. The construction of altars for idol worship is a significant aspect of this practice, illustrating the tangible and organized nature of idolatry in biblical times.

Old Testament Instances

The Old Testament provides numerous accounts of altars being erected for idol worship, often leading to divine judgment and calls for repentance. One of the earliest instances is found in the account of the golden calf in Exodus 32. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the Israelites, led by Aaron, constructed an altar before a golden calf and proclaimed, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked the Lord's anger, resulting in severe consequences for the people.

In the period of the Judges, the Israelites repeatedly fell into idolatry, raising altars to the Baals and Ashtoreths. Judges 2:11-13 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. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them."

King Solomon, despite his wisdom, also succumbed to idolatry in his later years. Influenced by his foreign wives, he built high places for their gods. 1 Kings 11:7 records, "At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, and for Molech, the abomination of the Ammonites."

The divided kingdom saw a proliferation of idolatrous altars, particularly in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Jeroboam, in an attempt to prevent his subjects from worshiping in Jerusalem, set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act established a pattern of idolatry that persisted throughout the history of the northern kingdom.

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets of Israel and Judah consistently condemned the practice of raising altars for idols. Isaiah, for instance, denounced the futility of idol worship, declaring, "They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it in its place, and there it stands. It does not move from its place. Though one cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save him from his troubles" (Isaiah 46:7).

Jeremiah also spoke against the altars built for Baal, warning of impending judgment: "They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter My mind" (Jeremiah 19:5).

Reforms and Destruction of Idolatrous Altars

Throughout Israel's history, there were periods of reform where righteous leaders sought to eradicate idolatry by destroying these altars. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to restore true worship, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:4 : "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles."

Similarly, King Josiah's reforms were marked by a thorough cleansing of the land from idolatrous practices. 2 Kings 23:12 describes his actions: "He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had erected on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, as well as the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the issue of idolatry is addressed with a focus on the spiritual implications rather than the physical altars. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, warns against idolatry, equating it with the worship of demons: "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons" (1 Corinthians 10:20).

The early church faced challenges from idolatrous practices prevalent in the Greco-Roman world. The Book of Acts recounts the Apostle Paul's distress upon seeing the city of Athens full of idols (Acts 17:16). His message to the Athenians emphasized the worship of the one true God, who "does not live in temples made by human hands" (Acts 17:24).

Idolatry, manifested through the raising of altars for false gods, remains a powerful symbol of humanity's tendency to turn away from the Creator. The biblical narrative consistently calls for the rejection of idols and the exclusive worship of the Lord, who alone is worthy of praise and devotion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 18:26
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped on the altar which was made.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 8:11
Because Ephraim has made many altars to sin, altars shall be to him to sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Manasseh's Sin and Repentance
... fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up ... house of the Lord, and all
the altars that he ... conduct, he went wrong: first, in his idolatry; and second ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/manassehs sin and repentance.htm

Paul at Athens
... unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from ... with keen eyes every token of the
all-pervading idolatry. ... to show from other authors that there were such altars. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at athens.htm

Blair -- the Hour and the Event of all Time
... Even to vices and passions altars were raised; and what ... His kingdom suddenly departed
from Him; the reign of idolatry passed away: He was beheld to fall ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/blair the hour and.htm

Knox and the Scottish Revolution, 1559
... levies that gathered when the royal standard was raised. ... holy course, "breaking down
the altars and idols in ... for their recent destruction of idolatry "and for ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter x knox and the.htm

Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... this religion, against which the Jews raised the standard ... of the vanity of those
gods whom idolatry adorns after it ... Mercury, it is true, had their altars in the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/saurin paul before felix.htm

Mongrel Religion
... The people saw the same altars and sniffed the same ... danger of extinction from the
prevalence of idolatry, and it ... more put forth his hand and raised up reformers ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... Altars, raised by the heathen to men, [501]338; by Christians only to God, though
in memory of men, [502]338, n.; Christian, for ... Idolatry, origin of, [1333]337 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Paul in Athens.
... incense and the sacrifices which were burnt upon the altars. ... words do not imply,
that the former idolatry of the ... unto all men, in that he hath raised him from ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... and consequently the multiplication of altars and temples is ... Law to the exclusion
of idolatry: because all ... a table, called the "propitiatory," raised above the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... dreamed of divinity, because accident had raised him to ... temples rose in every city,
and altars in every ... the indefinite phrase, "times past." Idolatry seems to ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm