Topical Bible: Idolatry: The Jews: Brought, out of Egypt With Them

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Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the history of the Israelites, particularly as they transitioned from slavery in Egypt to becoming a distinct nation under Yahweh. The Israelites' struggle with idolatry began even as they were delivered from Egypt, a land steeped in polytheism and idol worship.

Historical Context

The Israelites lived in Egypt for several centuries, during which time they were exposed to Egyptian religious practices. The Egyptians worshiped a pantheon of gods, often represented by idols and images. This environment undoubtedly influenced the Israelites, as evidenced by their actions shortly after their exodus from Egypt.

The Golden Calf Incident

One of the most notable instances of idolatry among the Israelites occurred at Mount Sinai. While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Law from God, the people grew impatient and demanded that Aaron make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied and fashioned a golden calf, proclaiming, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked the Lord's anger, and Moses interceded on behalf of the people to avert their destruction.

Influence of Egyptian Idolatry

The golden calf incident is a clear indication that the Israelites carried the influence of Egyptian idolatry with them. The calf, or bull, was a common symbol in Egyptian religion, representing strength and fertility, and was associated with several deities. The Israelites' choice to create a calf idol suggests that they reverted to familiar symbols from their time in Egypt when they felt abandoned or uncertain.

God's Commandments Against Idolatry

In response to the Israelites' propensity for idolatry, God explicitly commanded them to abstain from idol worship. The first two of the Ten Commandments address this issue directly: "You shall have no other gods before Me. 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" (Exodus 20:3-4). These commandments underscore the importance of exclusive worship of Yahweh and the rejection of all forms of idolatry.

Continued Struggle with Idolatry

Despite these clear directives, the Israelites continued to struggle with idolatry throughout their history. The influence of surrounding nations and their gods often led the Israelites astray, resulting in periods of judgment and repentance. The prophets frequently rebuked the people for their idolatrous practices, calling them to return to the worship of the one true God.

Conclusion

The Israelites' experience with idolatry, beginning with their exodus from Egypt, serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of syncretism and the human tendency to revert to familiar but false forms of worship. The biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and the rejection of all idols, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 23:8
Neither left she her prostitutions brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their prostitution on her.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 7:39-41
To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Refutation of the Jews
... But I as an innocent lamb brought to be ... Let the Jews, who have investigated the matter,
tell us ... Abraham came there certainly, but idolatry prevailed just the ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

The Locust-Swarms
... you from THE LORD; from the same good, loving, merciful Lord who brought your fathers ...
The Canaanites"and the Jews when they fell into idolatry"used to ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xx the locust-swarms.htm

The Captivity.
... the Covenant, he rooted out every trace of idolatry, even more ... might never be lost
again; and the Jews have a ... to check the power of Babylon, he brought an army ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

National Wealth
... out of Egypt, they will turn to idolatry, and so ... Why should not the Jews have gone
on worshipping one God ... if they had forgotten that he brought them out of the ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xvi national wealth.htm

The Death of Moses
... The people whom he has brought out of Egypt are to ... in his own eyes, falling continually
into idolatry, civil war ... to confess the ugly truth that the Jews are a ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xviii the death of.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... The sin of idolatry, while it is the worst of ... from the hands of the bigoted Jews,
but from ... Though these Apostles brought blessing, they themselves were cursed ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
... Such is the usual course of idolatry. ... after the departure from Egypt that the Jews
murmured about ... great impatience and bitterness: "Why have you brought us up ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/ninth sunday after trinity carnal.htm

Proof that God did not Appoint the Levitical Dispensation for his ...
... to Him, but that, forgetting the idolatry of the ... as Isaiah again says: "Thou hast
not [brought to] Me the ... words, that the former people [the Jews] shall indeed ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii proof that god did.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... there was nothing like this with the Jews, they did ... At last they had so far gone
into idolatry that they ... they were so chastened, and moreover brought into such ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... The people of his time were falling into idolatry. ... accept the crucified Savior as
the Jews' Messiah; the ... point out all the splendid lessons brought forward by ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm