Topical Bible: Idolatry: They Who Practise: Ask Counsel of Their Idols

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or images as divine, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often depicted as a grievous sin against the one true God. Those who practice idolatry frequently seek guidance and counsel from their idols, despite the futility and deception inherent in such practices.

The Bible provides numerous accounts of individuals and nations turning to idols for counsel, highlighting the spiritual blindness and rebellion against God that idolatry represents. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet mocks the absurdity of idol worship, emphasizing the lifelessness and impotence of idols: "They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it in its place, and there it stands. It does not move from its place. Though one cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save him from his troubles" (Isaiah 46:7).

In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently fell into the sin of idolatry, seeking guidance from false gods. The prophet Hosea condemns this practice, stating, "My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God" (Hosea 4:12). This passage illustrates the spiritual adultery of seeking counsel from idols, equating it with unfaithfulness to God.

The futility of seeking counsel from idols is further exemplified in the account of King Saul. In desperation, Saul turns to a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel, having previously sought guidance from the Lord but receiving no answer due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 28:6-7). This act of seeking counsel from a forbidden source underscores the desperation and spiritual decline that accompany idolatry.

The prophet Ezekiel also addresses the issue of idolatry and the seeking of counsel from idols. He warns the elders of Israel, "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of Me at all?" (Ezekiel 14:3). This rhetorical question highlights the incompatibility of idolatry with true worship and the seeking of divine guidance.

Throughout Scripture, the practice of asking counsel from idols is portrayed as a betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It reflects a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, leading to spiritual ruin and separation from the divine source of truth and guidance. The Bible consistently calls believers to reject idolatry and seek counsel from the Lord alone, as He is the only true and living God who can provide wisdom and direction.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 4:12
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declares to them: for the spirit of prostitutions has caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that it was not Right to ...
... the evil one, and prefer wisdom to idolatry, and take ... Practise husbandry, we say,
if you are a husbandman ... frivolousness of custom, as boys when they have become ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter x answer to the objection.htm

Faustus Asserts that Even if the Old Testament could be Shown to ...
... If any among this people fell into idolatry or demon ... They had rites; but these rites
were prophetic, or ... He would see many who do not practise the required duties ...
/.../faustus asserts that even if.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... and the bed undefiled, nor ever practise the shameful ... and shall still cleave to their
idolatry and heathen ... that were before them, therefore are they called the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... off, though they do hear and look on, and practise lesser things ... Of their silver
and their gold have they made them idols.' The sin of idolatry threw their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

section second.
... race, from the nations abandoned to idolatry and its ... so much account of circumcision
would practise it to ... of the oppressed Christians; and yet they were to be ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... come from heresy to the Church they should ask him the ... the relation of Jesus to
redemption, and they were strongly ... all the world were to take counsel to fight ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... God's work and of faith, soon began to set up idolatry and their ... so long as you have
money, no further; and yet they are not ashamed to practise all this ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... been contaminated by the abominable certificate of idolatry. ... I ask the woman herself,
"Tell me, sister ... been called Adoptionists, because they generally taught ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... or together, as such, is to commit most gross and horrible idolatry: For albeit ... he
fell himself; for being puffed up with pride, they left their own estate ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... not have been safer for all, following the counsel of wisdom ... and ministers of the
word, that they might give ... by reason of the prevalence of idolatry, and making ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm