Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Bowing to Them

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Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of idols or images as gods. This practice is strictly prohibited in the Scriptures, as it diverts worship from the one true God to created objects. The act of bowing to idols is a physical expression of reverence and submission, which the Bible consistently condemns.

Biblical Prohibition of Idolatry

The Ten Commandments explicitly forbid idolatry. In Exodus 20:4-5 , God commands, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God." This passage underscores the prohibition against creating and worshipping any physical representation as divine.

Examples of Idolatry in Scripture

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently fell into the sin of idolatry, often influenced by surrounding nations. One notable instance is the worship of the golden calf in Exodus 32. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people fashioned a calf from gold and bowed down to it, declaring, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked God's anger and led to severe consequences for the Israelites.

Another example is found in 1 Kings 18, where the prophet Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal. The Israelites had turned to worship Baal, a Canaanite deity, bowing to idols and forsaking the LORD. Elijah challenges them, saying, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). This confrontation highlights the futility of idol worship and the call to exclusive devotion to God.

Consequences of Idolatry

The Bible warns of the spiritual and moral decay that results from idolatry. In Deuteronomy 4:27-28 , God warns the Israelites that if they turn to idols, they will be scattered among the nations and serve gods made by human hands, "gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell." This passage illustrates the emptiness and impotence of idols compared to the living God.

The prophets frequently spoke against idolatry, emphasizing its destructive nature. Isaiah 44:9-10 declares, "All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol, which can profit him nothing?" The prophets called the people to repentance, urging them to return to the worship of the true God.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, idolatry is expanded beyond physical idols to include anything that takes the place of God in one's heart. The Apostle Paul warns the Corinthians, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14). He emphasizes that idolatry is incompatible with the Christian faith and the worship of Christ.

Paul also addresses the issue in Romans 1:22-23 , where he describes how humanity "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." This exchange leads to a darkened understanding and separation from God.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on idolatry is clear: worship is due to God alone. Bowing to idols, whether physical or metaphorical, is a violation of the first commandment and an affront to God's sovereignty. The Scriptures call believers to reject all forms of idolatry and to worship the Lord in spirit and truth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 19:18
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 5:18
In this thing the LORD pardon your servant, that when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this thing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Second Commandment
... president feel if Americans made such hideous objects to resemble ... compass, and called
it his god and worshipped it ... to the senses is the origin of all idolatry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/second commandment.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... rags, called relics, are the objects of adoration ... such contact with the abominations
of idolatry that they ... idolaters; or else he is worshipped through ritualism ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... have pictures in the church, lest that which is worshipped and adored be ... upon all
who assisted in the fabrication of these objects of the heathen idolatry. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

The First Commandment
... singles him out from all other objects to set ... that there were many; the Persian
worshipped the sun ... Therefore, when Israel committed idolatry with the golden calf ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the first commandment.htm

Storming the Battlements
... wicked nation, who were yet the objects of his ... pious church of God, whose members
worshipped and bowed ... man has proceeded to a foolish fondness and idolatry. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/storming the battlements.htm

Questions About the Lord's Supper
... For this is precisely one of the objects for which ... not be adored; for that were idolatry
to be ... ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.". ...
/.../chapter xx questions about the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... I.--- The prophets, their struggle against Phonician idolatry, the story ... in a list
of strange gods worshipped at Memphis ... of the sea-coast," as objects of God's ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

part ii
... duly reverenced and solemnly honoured and worshipped by you ... Forgive them that trespass
against you with joy, as a ... it cannot love two opposite objects"God and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... of prayers, contained in the liturgy, reciting, instead of reading them"a course ...
prohibited on that day to use any wrestlings, shooting, bowing, ringing of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm