Topical Bible: Idolatry: The Jews: Often Mixed Up, With God's Worship

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Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the history of the Israelites as recorded in the Bible. Despite being chosen by God and receiving His commandments, the Israelites frequently fell into the practice of idolatry, often mixing it with the worship of Yahweh, the one true God. This syncretism was a significant issue that led to divine judgment and calls for repentance throughout the Old Testament.

Historical Context

The Israelites' struggle with idolatry began even before they entered the Promised Land. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the people constructed a golden calf and worshiped it, saying, "These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:4). This incident set a precedent for future generations, highlighting the temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations.

Influence of Canaanite Religion

Upon entering Canaan, the Israelites were commanded to destroy the altars and idols of the land's inhabitants (Deuteronomy 7:5). However, they often failed to fully obey this command, leading to the adoption of Canaanite religious practices. Judges 2:11-13 states, "Then the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them."

The Monarchy and Idolatry

During the period of the monarchy, idolatry continued to plague the nation. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, was led astray by his foreign wives and built high places for their gods (1 Kings 11:4-8). This act of syncretism set a detrimental example for the nation. Subsequent kings, such as Jeroboam, institutionalized idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28).

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets consistently condemned the mixing of idol worship with the worship of Yahweh. Isaiah rebuked the people for their idolatry, declaring, "They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline" (Jeremiah 32:33). The prophets called the people to return to the exclusive worship of God, emphasizing His uniqueness and sovereignty.

Exile and Return

The Babylonian exile was a direct consequence of persistent idolatry. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple served as a divine judgment against the nation's unfaithfulness. However, the return from exile marked a renewed commitment to monotheism. Ezra and Nehemiah led reforms to eliminate idolatrous practices, emphasizing adherence to the Law and the worship of Yahweh alone.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, idolatry is addressed as a spiritual issue that extends beyond physical idols. The Apostle Paul warns against idolatry in various forms, urging believers to flee from it (1 Corinthians 10:14). The early church faced challenges from pagan influences, but the call remained to worship God in spirit and truth.

Throughout their history, the Israelites' struggle with idolatry serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of syncretism and the importance of exclusive devotion to God. The biblical narrative underscores the need for faithfulness and the rejection of all forms of idolatry.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 32:1-5
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 12:27,28
If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Woman of Samaria
... are the Samaritans, of whom you read so often in the ... them, because they were only
half-blooded Jews, and did ... to have got rid of their old idolatry, and built ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

Divided Worship
... was, however, blended by them with their own national idolatry. ... monotheists, even
more rigid than the Jews themselves, and ... The forms often help to bring us the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/divided worship.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... their very contact, was polluted by idolatry; and there ... Jews were to avoid passing
through a city where ... against which their heart, no doubt, often rebelled; and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

The Second Commandment
... Therefore keep yourself pure from Romish idolatry; if you love ... Some of the Jews who
had their hands imbrued in ... think it a trouble to visit that friend often? ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

The New Temple and Its Worship
... 'And the elders of the Jews builded, and ... expectation that our long tasks, and often
disappointments, will ... deported, but who had fallen into idolatry during the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the new temple and its.htm

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... seeming self-denial,"and yet what more real self-idolatry? ... Therefore the Lord so
often quarrels with them, and ... souls as the Lord unto the Jews, "Who hath ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

Concerning Worship.
... For this kind of idolatry, whereby man loveth, idolizeth, and ... was appointed by God
to the Jews, and whereof ... imaginations he cannot go, which we often find by ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... God often gives the purse to the wicked, but the Spirit ... The Jews say, that in every
misery that befalls them ... after a false manner; and it is idolatry, not only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Colossians iii. 17
... the very terms applied to the Jews living in ... Faith and reason are often invidiously
contrasted with each ... without reason, might have been idolatry, being now ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

The Education of the World.
... by side with this freedom from idolatry there had ... it is unquestionable that in Babylon
the Jews first attained ... other men's thoughts, which is often quite right ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/the education of the world.htm