Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Prayer

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of created objects or beings rather than the Creator Himself. This practice is consistently condemned throughout Scripture as a violation of the first and second commandments, which call for exclusive devotion to God and prohibit the making of graven images (Exodus 20:3-5). The act of praying to idols is a significant aspect of idolatrous worship, as it attributes divine power and authority to objects that are inherently powerless.

Biblical Instances and Condemnation

The Bible provides numerous examples of idolatry involving prayer to objects. One of the most prominent instances is the worship of the golden calf by the Israelites at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 32:4-6 , the people fashioned a calf from gold and declared, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" They offered sacrifices and engaged in revelry, demonstrating their devotion through acts of worship and prayer.

Another example is found in the account of the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. In 1 Kings 18:26-29 , the prophets of Baal called upon their god from morning until noon, praying and even cutting themselves in a desperate attempt to elicit a response. Despite their fervent prayers, there was no answer, highlighting the futility of praying to idols.

The prophet Isaiah also addresses the absurdity of idol worship in Isaiah 44:17-19 , where he describes a man who uses part of a tree to warm himself and cook his food, and with the rest, he makes a god and prays to it, saying, "Save me, for you are my god." Isaiah emphasizes the blindness and ignorance of those who engage in such practices.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, praying to idols is a direct affront to the sovereignty and uniqueness of God. The Bible teaches that God alone is worthy of worship and prayer, as He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Isaiah 45:5-6). Idolatry, therefore, is not merely a misguided practice but a fundamental rejection of God's rightful place in the lives of His people.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, describes idolatry as exchanging the truth of God for a lie and worshiping and serving created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). This exchange leads to spiritual blindness and moral decay, as individuals turn away from the source of life and truth.

Consequences and Warnings

The Bible warns of severe consequences for those who persist in idolatry. In Deuteronomy 4:23-24 , God warns the Israelites to be careful not to forget the covenant and make an idol, for the Lord is "a consuming fire, a jealous God." The prophets repeatedly warned Israel and Judah that idolatry would lead to their downfall and exile, as seen in the writings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

In the New Testament, the Apostle John exhorts believers to "keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21), recognizing the ongoing temptation and danger of idolatry even in the early church. The book of Revelation also depicts the ultimate judgment of idolaters, who are excluded from the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:8).

Conclusion

Idolatry, particularly the worship of objects through prayer, is a pervasive theme in the Bible, illustrating humanity's tendency to turn away from God and seek fulfillment in created things. The consistent biblical message is a call to exclusive devotion to the one true God, who alone is worthy of worship and prayer.

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

Isaiah 44:17
And the residue thereof he makes a god, even his graven image: he falls down to it, and worships it, and prays to it, and said, Deliver me; for you are my god.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... and rotten rags, called relics, are the objects of adoration ... and in one shape or
another idolatry is the ... to the barns in which our fathers worshipped, or better ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

Second Commandment
... president feel if Americans made such hideous objects to resemble ... and called it his
god and worshipped it ... in the flesh, and I understood the growth of idolatry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/second commandment.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 Golden Calf
... The 'god' whom the Israelites worshipped under the image of a ... directed to Him, is,
in His sight, rank idolatry. ... give up everything for the sake of its objects. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden calf.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... involved in the thick darkness of ignorance and idolatry. ... of the city of Thyatira,
which worshipped God, heard ... detaching him from the unhallowed objects of his ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm

The First Commandment --On the Honor and Invocation of Saints
... hearing, and may be led by these visible objects to a ... in the whole world that knew
and worshipped the true God ... as I told you, they fell into idolatry and really ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 31 the first commandmenton.htm

Refutation of the Gentiles --Continued
... The objects of worship formerly were varied and countless ... Dionysus is worshipped
among them, because he taught men ... the weakness of their own idolatry, at the ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 8 refutation of the.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... chiefly to inferior deities, who were worshipped as mediators ... the worshippers
entertained of the objects of their ... favor for them"the very idolatry of paganism ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

The Conversion of Cornelius.
... and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him ... the salvation of souls, were the great
objects which they ... shadow of death." The altars of idolatry were overthrown ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiii the conversion of.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... bowed down to stocks and stones, and worshipped the work ... side by side; let the same
objects be presented ... No death like this, death in idolatry, irreligion, and ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm