Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Strange Gods

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often described as a grievous sin against the one true God. The term "strange gods" is used to denote foreign deities that the Israelites were tempted to worship, contrary to the commandments given by God. These strange gods are often associated with the surrounding nations and their practices, which were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 35:2-4: Jacob instructs his household to rid themselves of foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their garments. "So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, 'Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.'" . This passage highlights the presence of strange gods even within the patriarchal family, necessitating a return to purity and exclusive worship of Yahweh.

2. Deuteronomy 32:16-17: The Israelites are described as having provoked God to anger by worshiping strange gods. "They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear." . This passage underscores the spiritual adultery committed by Israel through the worship of unfamiliar deities.

3. Judges 10:6: The Israelites again fall into the sin of idolatry, serving the Baals and Ashtoreths, as well as the gods of various neighboring peoples. "Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, as well as the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines." . This reflects the persistent temptation and influence of surrounding cultures on the Israelites.

4. 1 Kings 11:4-8: King Solomon, despite his wisdom, is led astray by his foreign wives to worship strange gods. "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been." . Solomon's idolatry is a poignant example of how even the most blessed individuals can fall into the trap of worshiping strange gods.

5. 2 Kings 17:7-12: The fall of Israel is attributed to their worship of strange gods, despite the LORD's deliverance from Egypt. "All this happened because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt and from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods." . This passage serves as a historical account of the consequences of idolatry.

6. Jeremiah 19:4: The prophet Jeremiah condemns the people for forsaking God and burning incense to strange gods. "For they have forsaken Me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah ever knew." . Jeremiah's words highlight the betrayal and spiritual infidelity of the people.

Theological Implications:

The worship of strange gods is consistently portrayed as a violation of the first commandment, which demands exclusive devotion to Yahweh. Idolatry is not merely a cultural or religious misstep but a profound spiritual betrayal that incurs divine wrath and judgment. The biblical narrative repeatedly warns against the allure of foreign deities and emphasizes the necessity of faithfulness to the covenant with God.

Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, polytheism was prevalent, and the Israelites were surrounded by nations with diverse pantheons. The temptation to adopt these practices was strong, especially when intermarriage and political alliances brought foreign influences into Israelite society. The biblical injunctions against idolatry served to preserve the distinct identity and faith of the Israelite people amidst these pressures.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

The accounts of idolatry in the Bible serve as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and resisting the temptation to compromise with worldly influences. The call to worship God alone is a central tenet of biblical teaching, underscoring the need for purity of heart and devotion in the life of faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 35:2,4
Then Jacob said to his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 24:20
If you forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he has done you good.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... of God concerning that species of idolatry
which is ... execution of these threats, are described generally throughout ...
/.../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 Preface to the Commandments
... [2] God is described by his relative ... Why is it that we are prone to idolatry? Because
we are led much by visible objects, and love to have our senses pleased. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

The Prophecies
... looked around them and seen some pleasing objects, have given ... 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

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... how aid is implored from dead and senseless objects, by beings ... pretexts in defence
of the execrable idolatry in which ... in the very way which has been described. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

CHAPTER III.
... without any figurative covering, the effect is described which will ... With regard to
the other two objects mentioned in ... it only, which is on a par with idolatry. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... in themselves, has been partly described and will ... The grossest vice here prohibited
is external idolatry. ... with those who swear by strange gods, and construes ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.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

Chapter xxxv
... taken by Jacob in purging out idolatry by putting ... these monuments were doubtless
originally objects, of worship ... Though Bilhah was heretofore described only as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.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