Topical Bible: Idolatry: Curse Denounced Against

◄ Idolatry: Curse Denounced Against ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, the worship of idols or the elevation of anything above God, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, consistently condemned and associated with severe consequences. The Bible explicitly denounces idolatry and pronounces curses upon those who engage in it, emphasizing the seriousness of this sin in the eyes of God.

Old Testament Warnings and Curses

The Old Testament is replete with warnings against idolatry and the curses that follow such practices. In the Ten Commandments, God explicitly commands against the making and worshiping of idols: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath" (Exodus 20:4). The prohibition is clear, and the consequences are dire for those who disobey.

Deuteronomy 27:15 pronounces a curse on idolaters: "Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret." This curse underscores the abominable nature of idolatry and the divine judgment that follows.

The prophets frequently warned Israel of the consequences of idolatry. Jeremiah 11:10-11 highlights the curse of disaster for those who turn to other gods: "They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to obey My words and have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers. Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I will bring upon them a disaster from which they cannot escape."

New Testament Affirmation

The New Testament continues to affirm the curse against idolatry, emphasizing its incompatibility with the Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 10:14, Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." This command reflects the ongoing danger and spiritual peril associated with idol worship.

Revelation 21:8 lists idolaters among those who will face the second death: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." The eternal consequences of idolatry are starkly presented, reinforcing the curse denounced against it.

Theological Implications

Idolatry is fundamentally a breach of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It represents a turning away from the true God to false gods, which is seen as spiritual adultery. The curses associated with idolatry serve as a divine warning and a call to repentance, urging believers to remain faithful to God alone.

Throughout Scripture, the denunciation of idolatry and the associated curses highlight the holiness of God and His rightful place as the sole object of worship. The biblical narrative consistently calls for the rejection of idols and the exclusive worship of the one true God, underscoring the severe consequences of failing to do so.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 27:15
Cursed be the man that makes any graven or molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and puts it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... and made his partner in the destruction of idolatry. ... obey their parents, and dreadful
curses denounced against those who ... of mercy and entail a curse on their ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

Sin in the Heart the Source of Error in the Head
... The origin of idolatry, and of infidelity, is not in ... A heavy woe is denounced against
any and every one who ... of God utters a deep and bitter curse against her. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin in the heart the.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... The grossest vice here prohibited is external idolatry. ... posterity of the righteous,
and his curse on the ... is declared by the punishment denounced against it, "I ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... means that they had abandoned idolatry, and other ... pardon, and averted the punishment
denounced against him (1 ... The curse of God, though concealed, was fixed on ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... Let judgement be denounced against sin, he laughs at the shaking ... These bless God
for the greatest curse. ... saw the people of Athens given to idolatry his spirit ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... abhorrence, and the severest judgments were denounced against him. ... yet every one
of them doth curse me" (15 ... to check the swelling tide of idolatry and profligacy ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

A visit from vigilantius
... I hope not; that were an idolatry to be abhorred of ... the past, a source of immense
demoralisation and a curse to the ... Is it true that you have denounced fasting ...
/.../chapter xl a visit from.htm

Knox's Intrigues, and his Account of Them, 1559
... was a woman, as such under the curse of "The ... the false articles on suppression of
idolatry, and expulsion ... treaty, the Congregation must have denounced it, and ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xi knoxs intrigues and.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... I will soon bring him around to curse thee to ... of Satan; it is filled with open idolatry,
lies and ... the presence of King Jeroboam openly denounced the idolatry ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... which is employed, every form of superstition is denounced. ... died that he might bear
our curse upon the ... infatuated proneness of mankind to idolatry was kindled ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm