Topical Bible: Idolatry: They Who Practise: Swear by Their Idols

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often depicted as a grievous sin against the one true God. Those who practice idolatry frequently swear by their idols, demonstrating their misplaced trust and allegiance. This act of swearing by idols is a manifestation of their devotion and reliance on entities other than the Lord.

In the Old Testament, the practice of swearing by idols is explicitly condemned. The prophet Zephaniah highlights this behavior among the people of Judah, who were guilty of syncretism, blending the worship of Yahweh with that of foreign deities. Zephaniah 1:5 states, "Those who bow in worship on the rooftops to the host of heaven, those who bow and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom." Here, the people are depicted as swearing by both the Lord and Milcom, a foreign god, illustrating their divided loyalties and the seriousness of their idolatry.

The act of swearing by idols is not merely a cultural or religious formality; it signifies a deep-seated allegiance and trust in these false gods. In Jeremiah 5:7 , the Lord laments the faithlessness of His people, saying, "Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes." This passage underscores the betrayal inherent in swearing by idols, as it represents a rejection of God's provision and faithfulness.

The practice of swearing by idols is also addressed in the context of judgment. In Amos 8:14 , the prophet warns, "Those who swear by the guilt of Samaria, who say, ‘As surely as your god lives, O Dan,’ or, ‘As surely as the way of Beersheba lives’—they will fall, never to rise again." This pronouncement of judgment highlights the futility and danger of placing trust in anything other than the Lord.

Throughout Scripture, the act of swearing by idols is portrayed as a profound spiritual adultery, a violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It reflects a heart that has turned away from the Creator to the creation, seeking security and identity in that which is ultimately powerless and transient. The Bible consistently calls for exclusive devotion to the Lord, warning of the dire consequences of idolatry and urging repentance and return to the one true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 8:14
They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Your god, O Dan, lives; and, The manner of Beersheba lives; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Era of Persecution
... the statue of the emperor was wicked idolatry and entailed ... He endeavored in every
way to practise and exercise ... Therefore, they exposed them to all the terrible ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iii the era of persecution.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

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... to be admitted to bring accusation by hired witnesses, they are by no means to be
admitted, except, as we have said above, they can prove their accusations by ...
/.../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

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... necessity in which it is right to swear: for I ... But, since one who turns to idolatry
does not thereby ... appear; and not only unsummoned, but when they are already ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /