Topical Bible: Murder: Connected With Idolatry

◄ Murder: Connected With Idolatry ►

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In the biblical narrative, murder is not only a grave sin against humanity but is often intricately connected with the sin of idolatry. The Bible presents idolatry as a fundamental rejection of God’s sovereignty and a turning towards false gods, which frequently leads to moral decay, including acts of murder.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous instances where idolatry is linked with acts of murder. One of the most striking examples is found in the practices of the Canaanites, whom the Israelites were commanded to drive out of the Promised Land. The Canaanites engaged in idolatrous worship that included child sacrifice, a form of murder. In Leviticus 18:21, God commands, "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."

The Israelites themselves fell into similar practices when they turned to idolatry. In 2 Kings 17:17, it is recorded, "They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger." This passage highlights the direct connection between idolatry and the murder of innocents.

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets of Israel frequently condemned the people for their idolatrous practices, which included acts of murder. Jeremiah 7:31 speaks of the Valley of Hinnom, where the Israelites committed abominations: "They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter My mind."

Ezekiel also addresses this issue, condemning the idolatry and associated bloodshed. In Ezekiel 23:37, the prophet declares, "For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, as food for them."

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not directly link idolatry with murder in the same explicit manner as the Old Testament, it continues to affirm the destructive nature of idolatry. In Romans 1:29-32, Paul describes the depravity that results from idolatry, listing murder among the sins that arise when people turn away from God: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice."

The New Testament also emphasizes the spiritual nature of idolatry, warning believers to guard against anything that takes the place of God in their hearts, which can lead to spiritual and moral corruption.

Theological Implications

From a theological standpoint, the connection between murder and idolatry underscores the comprehensive nature of sin. Idolatry represents a fundamental breach in the relationship between humanity and God, leading to a cascade of moral failures, including murder. This connection serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of faithfulness to His commandments.

In summary, the biblical witness consistently portrays idolatry as a root cause of various sins, including murder. The rejection of God and the worship of false deities lead to a devaluation of human life, manifesting in acts of violence and bloodshed. The Scriptures call believers to recognize the seriousness of idolatry and its potential to corrupt both individuals and communities.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 22:3,4
Then say you, Thus said the Lord GOD, The city sheds blood in the middle of it, that her time may come, and makes idols against herself to defile herself.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 3:27
Then he took his oldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... men were said to be polluted, for instance, by idolatry, murder, adultery, or ... order
to show that whatever was in any way connected with idolatry should be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More ...
... an Old Testament expression connected with idolatry, and signifies ... with which the
18th is thus connected, treat of ... of all murders, but of the murder, there and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the old and new testaments.htm

The Right Understanding of the Law
... Where murder is forbidden, envy and rash anger are ... Where idolatry is forbidden,
superstition is forbidden, or ... Lex est copulativa [The law is all connected]. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/1 4 the right understanding of.htm

The Roman Conflagration and the Neronian Persecution.
... and opened, in the name of idolatry and patriotism ... death, John's exile to Patmos
must be connected with this ... in Pergamus, and speaks of the murder of prophets ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 37 the roman conflagration.htm

The Pentateuch.
... old when the next son after Abel's murder was born ... Korah's rebellion and the history
connected with it ... of Balaam and his prophecies, the idolatry and punishment ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... who prohibits murder, become himself a party to the murder. ... The act, considered little
short of idolatry, with which it was connected, was denounced in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xv again on the.htm

Then, Again, Every one is Ready with the Argument that all Things. ...
... all doubt, too, the very buildings connected with the ... Take, for instance, murder,
whether committed by iron, by ... On the contrary idolatry in His eyes is the ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter ii then again every.htm

His Name --The Mighty God
... Murder, great as the offense is, is but the slaying ... Mahometan to this day, that has
ever fallen into idolatry. ... the river, but if you have not connected it with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/his namethe mighty god.htm

On Pilgrimages.
... in their proper order upon all the points connected with it ... amongst them; rascality,
adultery, theft, idolatry, poisoning, quarrelling, murder, are rife ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on pilgrimages.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... Evil, not necessarily connected with this life, [250]5 ... Idolatry of Christians is
covetousness, [339]134; its origin ... Murder, an instance of voluntary sin, [423]57 ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm