Topical Bible: Idolatry: Rites of, Obscene and Impure

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of idols or images as gods, and it is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. The rites associated with idolatry often involved practices that were not only spiritually offensive but also morally corrupt, characterized by obscenity and impurity.

Biblical Condemnation of Idolatrous Rites

The Bible explicitly condemns the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations, which often included obscene and impure rites. In Deuteronomy 12:31, the Israelites are warned, "You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods." This passage highlights the extreme depravity and moral corruption inherent in idolatrous worship.

Sexual Immorality in Idolatrous Worship

Idolatrous rites frequently involved sexual immorality, which was an integral part of the worship of certain deities. The prophet Hosea speaks against such practices, saying, "They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God" (Hosea 4:12). This metaphorical language underscores the spiritual adultery and literal sexual immorality that accompanied idol worship.

The apostle Paul also addresses the connection between idolatry and sexual immorality in his letters. In Romans 1:24-25, he writes, "Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen." Here, Paul links the rejection of God with the descent into moral and sexual impurity.

Child Sacrifice and Other Abominations

One of the most heinous practices associated with idolatry was child sacrifice, particularly in the worship of the Canaanite god Molech. Leviticus 18:21 warns, "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." Such practices were not only obscene but also a direct violation of the sanctity of life as ordained by God.

Ritual Prostitution

Ritual prostitution was another common feature of idolatrous worship, particularly in the cults of fertility gods and goddesses. The book of 1 Kings 14:24 notes, "There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land; they imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites." This practice was a perversion of the sexual union intended by God and was used as a means to invoke the favor of the gods for fertility and prosperity.

Conclusion

The rites of idolatry, characterized by obscenity and impurity, stand in stark contrast to the holiness and purity that God demands of His people. The biblical narrative consistently portrays these practices as abominations that lead to spiritual and moral decay, urging the faithful to remain separate from such corrupt influences.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 32:25
And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked to their shame among their enemies:)
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Numbers 25:1-3
And Israel stayed in Shittim, and the people began to commit prostitution with the daughters of Moab.
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2 Kings 17:9
And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
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Isaiah 57:6,8,9
Among the smooth stones of the stream is your portion; they, they are your lot: even to them have you poured a drink offering, you have offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
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1 Peter 4:3
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have worked the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, parties, and abominable idolatries:
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Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... which they call them, by the external rites of the ... them now go and deny their idolatry
when they ... I am unwilling to meddle with their obscene impurities, which ...
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Exposition of the Moral Law.
... therefore, is, that he will not have his legitimate worship profaned by superstitious
rites. ... The grossest vice here prohibited is external idolatry. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm