Topical Bible: Idolatry: Everything Connected With, should be Destroyed

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or the excessive reverence for something other than God, is a recurring theme in the Bible, consistently condemned as a grievous sin. The Scriptures emphasize the necessity of eradicating all forms of idolatry and anything associated with it, underscoring the importance of maintaining purity in worship and devotion to the one true God.

Biblical Mandate for Destruction

The Bible provides clear instructions regarding the destruction of idols and all related paraphernalia. In Deuteronomy 7:5, the Israelites are commanded: "Instead, this is what you are to do to them: Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire." This directive highlights the comprehensive nature of the destruction required, extending beyond the idols themselves to include altars, sacred stones, and other objects of pagan worship.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, the Israelites are instructed to "destroy completely all the places on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every spreading tree where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places." This passage underscores the thoroughness with which idolatry and its remnants are to be eradicated.

Historical Examples

Throughout the history of Israel, there are numerous instances where leaders took decisive action to eliminate idolatry. King Josiah is a notable example, as recorded in 2 Kings 23:4-6: "Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel. He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the temple of the LORD, where the women were weaving for Asherah."

Josiah's reforms were comprehensive, extending to the destruction of altars and high places throughout Judah and even into the former northern kingdom of Israel. His actions reflect a commitment to purging the land of idolatry and restoring true worship.

Spiritual Implications

The call to destroy everything connected with idolatry is not merely a physical act but carries profound spiritual implications. Idolatry represents a turning away from God, a breach of the covenant relationship, and a contamination of the community's spiritual life. The eradication of idols and their associated objects serves as a tangible expression of repentance and a return to exclusive devotion to God.

In the New Testament, the principle of separating from idolatry is reiterated. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:14, exhorts believers: "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." This call to flee underscores the ongoing relevance of avoiding any form of idolatry and the importance of maintaining spiritual purity.

Contemporary Application

While the physical idols of ancient times may not be as prevalent today, the underlying principle remains relevant. Modern forms of idolatry can include the excessive pursuit of wealth, power, or personal gratification. Believers are called to examine their lives and remove anything that competes with or detracts from their devotion to God.

The biblical mandate to destroy everything connected with idolatry serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the lengths to which His people must go to ensure their worship remains pure and undefiled.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 34:13
But you shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:5
But thus shall you deal with them; you shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
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2 Samuel 5:21
And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
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2 Kings 23:14
And he broke in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.
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Library

Fourth Division.
... and not less in regard to everything connected with the ... for the things which are
seen, should condescend to ... to the laws of Honorius against idolatry, passed in ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/fourth division.htm

Of the Beginning and Rise of the Romish Papacy, Till it Attained a ...
... but just that his name might stand connected with the ... For while he was arrogating
everything to himself, and ... so blinded by error and sunk in idolatry, there is ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 of the beginning.htm

Comparison Between the False Church and the True.
... and forbidden modes of worship, everything which was ... day, which are contaminated
by idolatry, superstition, and ... the keys are inseparably connected with the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 comparison between the.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... This abhorrence of all connected with idolatry, and ... very contact, was polluted by
idolatry; and there ... Under such circumstances, therefore, everything must be ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... men as barbarous, except themselves?' Besides, everything looks old. ... so that the
species of idolatry which has ... Gospel to every creature, has connected with it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm

The Prophet Micah.
... Hezekiah, the prophet committed to writing everything which was ... entire book forms
one closely connected whole, it ... view, the general spread of idolatry [Pg 421 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet micah.htm

CHAPTER III.
... as were separable although connected, and connected although separable ... makes them
disgusted with idolatry, and all ... in that case, comprehend everything in which ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... it had been"unclean, defiled, and defiling everything to which ... so Grecian rites and
idolatry prevailed ... any article, however distantly connected with heathenism ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... guests to have been previously wedded to the idolatry of covetousness ... cases, the
will of the man is everything; the wealth ... [48] A custom connected with funerals ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

On Zeal
... is, good in general; that is, everything that is ... This is the entire, connected system
of Christianity: and ... I instance in idolatry, worshipping of angels, saints ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 92 on zeal.htm