Topical Bible: Idolatry: Great Prevalence of, in Israel

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, was a persistent and grievous sin among the Israelites, despite the clear commandments from God to worship Him alone. The prevalence of idolatry in Israel is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, highlighting the spiritual struggles and apostasy of God's chosen people.

Commandments Against Idolatry

The foundation of Israel's covenant with God was the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The first two commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai explicitly prohibited idolatry: "You shall have no other gods before Me. 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 20:3-4). Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites frequently turned to idol worship, influenced by surrounding nations and their own inclinations.

Idolatry in the Wilderness

Even during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, the Israelites fell into idolatry. The incident of the golden calf at Mount Sinai is a notable example. While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Law, the people grew impatient and demanded Aaron make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied, fashioning a calf from their gold, and the people declared, "These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked God's wrath and resulted in severe punishment.

Idolatry in the Promised Land

Upon entering Canaan, the Israelites were commanded to destroy the altars and idols of the land's inhabitants (Deuteronomy 7:5). However, they often failed to fully obey these commands, leading to the adoption of Canaanite religious practices. The Book of Judges records a cycle of apostasy, where the Israelites repeatedly turned to the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, leading to oppression by their enemies until they repented and cried out to God for deliverance (Judges 2:11-19).

The Monarchy and Idolatry

The establishment of the monarchy did not eradicate idolatry. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, was led astray by his foreign wives, who turned his heart after other gods. "Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites" (1 Kings 11:5). This idolatry led to the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death.

The northern kingdom of Israel, under Jeroboam, institutionalized idolatry by setting up golden calves at 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 sin became a defining characteristic of the northern kingdom, leading to its eventual downfall.

In the southern kingdom of Judah, idolatry was also prevalent, though there were periods of reform under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah. Despite these efforts, the people often reverted to idol worship, provoking God's judgment and the Babylonian exile.

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets of Israel and Judah consistently condemned idolatry, warning of its consequences. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others spoke against the futility and abomination of idol worship. Isaiah declared, "All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless" (Isaiah 44:9). The prophets called the people to repentance and a return to the worship of the one true God.

Conclusion

The prevalence of idolatry in Israel serves as a sobering reminder of the human tendency to turn away from God and the importance of faithfulness to His commandments. The history of Israel's idolatry underscores the need for vigilance and devotion in the worship of God alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 2:8
Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 2:28
But where are your gods that you have made you? let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble: for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 8:10
So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed on the wall round about.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

'Lying Vanities'
... of stupidity, a tragic mistake, as well as a great sin ... Its rigid monotheism was
intensified and embittered by the universal prevalence of idolatry; and there ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/lying vanities.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... obvious test of a genuine work of God is the prevalence of the ... when God purposed
to destroy the Israelites because of their great sin of idolatry, at the ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

The Mediator's Threefold Prayer
... manner of their guidance, and the penalties of their idolatry. ... says 'I and Thy people.'
The great seal of ... prevails, and the reason for its prevalence is God's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the mediators threefold prayer.htm

The Fiery Furnace
... caused to be made a great golden image ... a land where idol worship was of universal
prevalence, the beautiful ... with the established forms of idolatry recognized as ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 41 the fiery furnace.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... These marks may indicate the prevalence of idolatry and have ... It is not unlikely that
idolatry had begun to ... a people from whom would come the Great Revealer of ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

Opposition to Messiah in Vain
... The sensuality, oppression and idolatry which have prevailed in ... We live in a time
when great pretences are ... private judgment, but to the prevalence of sceptical ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiv opposition to messiah.htm

Immanuel
... The prevalence of idolatry was early, and (with ... The alienation of our hearts is the
great cause of our ignorance of Him. We are willingly ignorant. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon v immanuel.htm

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... a famous soothsayer or diviner, of whose prevalence with the ... and with the proffer
of great honors and ... and seduce them to uncleanness and idolatry, in order to ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

Introduction.
... right way, proclaimed the will of God, great attention was ... thereto, confirmed his
abhorrence of idolatry and his ... to our times, prove the wide prevalence of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

The Leaven.
... the leaven in this place to predict the prevalence of false ... Idolatry, for example,
is a leaven that must have been ... but at a very early date it had grown great. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/iv the leaven.htm