Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Images

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Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship or veneration of created objects or images as deities, which is strictly prohibited in the Scriptures. The Bible consistently warns against the practice of idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive worship of the one true God. The objects of idolatry often include images, statues, or representations of false gods, crafted by human hands.

Biblical Prohibition and Condemnation

The Ten Commandments explicitly forbid the making and worshiping of idols. In Exodus 20:4-5 , God commands, "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. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God." This command underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry, associating it with spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness.

Objects of Idolatry in the Old Testament

Throughout the Old Testament, various objects of idolatry are mentioned, often associated with the surrounding pagan cultures. The Israelites frequently fell into the sin of idolatry by adopting the practices of their neighbors. For instance, the golden calf in Exodus 32:4 is a notable example: "He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf, which they said, 'These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"

The Canaanite deities Baal and Asherah were also common objects of idolatry. Judges 2:13 states, "For they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths." These idols were often represented by carved images or wooden poles, which the Israelites were commanded to destroy (Deuteronomy 7:5).

Idolatry in the New Testament

The New Testament continues to warn against idolatry, expanding the concept to include not only physical idols but also anything that takes the place of God in one's heart. In 1 Corinthians 10:14 , Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." The apostle John similarly warns in 1 John 5:21 , "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

Spiritual Implications

Idolatry is portrayed as a fundamental breach of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It is seen as a rejection of God's sovereignty and a turning away from His commandments. The prophets frequently rebuked Israel for their idolatrous practices, calling them to repentance and a return to the worship of Yahweh alone. Isaiah 44:9-10 highlights the futility of idol-making: "Those who fashion 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 profits him nothing?"

Contemporary Relevance

While the physical idols of ancient times may not be as prevalent today, the essence of idolatry remains a relevant issue. Anything that usurps God's rightful place in a believer's life can become an idol, whether it be wealth, power, or even relationships. The call to reject idolatry and worship God alone is as pertinent now as it was in biblical times, urging believers to examine their hearts and lives for anything that might compete with their devotion to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 29:17
And you have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
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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.
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Library

Spiritual Idolatry
... angels, or the souls of departed saints, or images of gold ... In a word, so many objects
as there are in ... in their hearts, so many species of idolatry they practise ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 78 spiritual idolatry.htm

On Idolatry
... to sin and of increasing the crime of idolatry; (1 Kings ... take the gods of foreign
nations as objects of worship ... regard to the matter, they forbade images to be ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... become a worshipper of God through the medium of images. ... rotten rags, called relics,
are the objects of adoration ... they had so far gone into idolatry that they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

Let us Pass on Now to Theatrical Exhibitions, which we have ...
... the first, among other evils of idolatry, the pollutions ... provision and preparation
for the objects they had ... but those in whose names, and images, and histories ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter x let us pass.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries.
... idols professed to be converted, and united with the church, they still clung to
their idolatry, only changing the objects of their worship to images of Jesus ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /2 persecution in the first.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries
... idols professed to be converted, and united with the church, they still clung to
their idolatry, only changing the objects of their worship to images of Jesus ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 2 persecution in the.htm

Second Commandment
... and China, because they fashion these images according to ... feel if Americans made
such hideous objects to resemble ... to the senses is the origin of all idolatry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/second commandment.htm

The Uproar in Ephesus.
... the Ephesians placed in their houses as objects of private ... of your Moloch, and Chiun
your images, the star ... While the votaries of idolatry and superstition have ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiii the uproar in.htm

The First Commandment --On the Honor and Invocation of Saints
... hearing, and may be led by these visible objects to a ... is: "You shall not adore or
serve the images you make ... as I told you, they fell into idolatry and really ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 31 the first commandmenton.htm

Paul in Athens.
... It was crowded with images, and temples, and altars. The Athenians were more addicted
to idolatry, and had multiplied the objects of it more than any of their ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm