Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Gods That Have not Made the Heavens

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of idols or the elevation of created objects to the status of deities. This practice is consistently condemned throughout Scripture, as it represents a fundamental deviation from the worship of the one true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The Bible explicitly distinguishes between the living God and the lifeless idols that people often revere.

Biblical Condemnation of Idolatry

The Bible is replete with admonitions against idolatry, emphasizing the futility and absurdity of worshiping objects that are the work of human hands. In Jeremiah 10:11, the prophet declares, "Thus you are to tell them: 'The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.'" This verse underscores the transient and powerless nature of idols, contrasting them with the eternal and omnipotent Creator.

Characteristics of Idols

Idols are often described in Scripture as man-made objects, crafted from materials such as wood, stone, or metal. These objects, despite being fashioned with care and skill, lack the essential attributes of divinity. They cannot see, hear, speak, or act. Psalm 115:4-8 vividly portrays this impotence: "Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them."

Theological Implications

The worship of idols is not merely a misguided practice but a profound theological error. It represents a rejection of the Creator's sovereignty and a distortion of the created order. Isaiah 44:9-20 offers a detailed critique of idolatry, highlighting the absurdity of worshiping objects made from the same materials used for mundane purposes: "The woodworker stretches a measuring line; he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it in the form of a man, of a man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine."

Consequences of Idolatry

The Bible warns of severe consequences for those who engage in idolatry. Such practices lead to spiritual blindness and separation from God. In Romans 1:21-23 , the Apostle Paul describes the downward spiral of those who exchange the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and animals: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."

Call to Worship the True God

Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent call to abandon idolatry and return to the worship of the true God. The first of the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:3 , is a clear directive: "You shall have no other gods before Me." This commandment establishes the foundation for a relationship with God based on exclusive devotion and reverence.

In summary, the Bible presents a clear and unequivocal stance against idolatry, urging believers to recognize the futility of worshiping objects that have not made the heavens and to devote themselves wholly to the Creator, who alone is worthy of worship and praise.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 10:11
Thus shall you say to them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... take the gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... of the two-fold idolatry which
has now been described. ... to a creature is pure from idolatry, except that ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

A Jealous God
... In Ezekiel we find the false god described as "the image ... other, but when we carry
love to idolatry, and put ... persons who continue to live for objects other than ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

The So-Called Letter to Diognetus
... The Stupidity of Idolatry. ... latter think that they are offering something to objects
which in ... In the rite of baptism described in Hippolytus' Apostolic Tradition ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the so-called letter to diognetus.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... but even divine, taking refuge in the objects of his ... punished covetousness, which
is a second idolatry; but he ... and practices are too shameful to be described. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... was of a people who should be objects of this ... Lord, in a familiar passage is explicitly
described.[520] From ... of the world."[524] The sin of those is idolatry. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Athenian
... Idols and Idolatry. ... How much less can I call those objects gods, whose makers I know ...
They have, furthermore, described their exploits with a wealth of supposed ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/a plea regarding christians by.htm

A vision of the Latter-Day Glories
... gods being cast down, mighty systems of idolatry being overthrown ... to come, somewhat
as John Bunyan described the battle ... He objects to it flowing towards the sea ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a vision of the latter-day.htm

The Prophecies
... around them and seen some pleasing objects, have given and ... Daniel 12:7. Having described
all the extent of ... That then idolatry would be overthrown; that this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xi the prophecies.htm

Homiletical.
... for the slaughter of their brethren, to punish idolatry. ... recognise the pettiness
of the common objects of human ... She is described as having said that women no ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... in common conversation, as well as the idolatry of swearing ... has been shown that
Covenanting is described as a ... and elsewhere, as to kindred objects of Christian ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm