Topical Bible: Syria: Israel Followed the Idolatry of

◄ Syria: Israel Followed the Idolatry of ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Syria, known in ancient times as Aram, was a significant neighboring nation to Israel and played a crucial role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of idolatry and apostasy. The relationship between Israel and Syria was complex, marked by periods of conflict, alliance, and cultural exchange. One of the most significant aspects of this relationship was the influence of Syrian idolatry on the people of Israel.

Historical Context

Syria, with its capital in Damascus, was a powerful kingdom during the biblical era. The Arameans, the people of Syria, were known for their military prowess and their pantheon of gods, which included Hadad, the storm god, and Rimmon, another deity associated with storms and fertility. The influence of Syrian culture and religion was pervasive, especially during times when Israel and Syria formed political alliances.

Biblical References

The Bible records several instances where Israel fell into the trap of idolatry, influenced by neighboring nations, including Syria. One of the most notable examples is found during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. In 2 Kings 16:10-12 , it is recorded that Ahaz, after visiting Damascus, saw an altar there and sent a model of it to Uriah the priest, instructing him to build a similar altar in Jerusalem. This act of adopting a foreign altar for worship was a direct violation of the commandments given to Israel and demonstrated the influence of Syrian idolatry.

Moreover, the prophet Amos condemned the idolatrous practices that had infiltrated Israel, which were often linked to the influence of surrounding nations, including Syria. Amos 1:3-5 speaks of the transgressions of Damascus, highlighting the moral and spiritual decay that such influences could bring.

Spiritual Implications

The adoption of Syrian idolatry by Israel was not merely a political or cultural issue but a profound spiritual crisis. The worship of foreign gods was a direct affront to the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people. The First Commandment explicitly states, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). By turning to the gods of Syria, Israel not only disobeyed this command but also compromised their identity as a people set apart for the worship of the one true God.

The prophets repeatedly warned Israel of the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of forsaking Yahweh for foreign deities. The influence of Syrian idolatry served as a catalyst for divine judgment, as seen in the eventual downfall and exile of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

Lessons for Today

The historical account of Israel's entanglement with Syrian idolatry serves as a cautionary tale for believers today. It underscores the importance of remaining faithful to God and resisting the allure of cultural and spiritual influences that lead away from His truth. The call to holiness and exclusive devotion to God remains as relevant now as it was in ancient times.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 10:6
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Prophet Hosea.
... war carried on against Judah by Syria and Ephraim ... The kings of Israel were far from
rejecting it ... Image-worship was very speedily followed by idolatry,"which is ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

National Apostasy
... of Heaven; and yet the rulers who followed"Baasha, Elah ... on one occasion, the king
of Israel entered the ... by forming an alliance with Benhadad, king of Syria. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... was not warned by the fate of Nadab, but followed the same ... the fore-knowledge of
the miseries which Hazael of Syria should bring upon Israel; and Hazael ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

Sacrifice Renewed
... The relations with Syria and Damascus would come right ... in passing the emphasis of
'Israel' here, extending ... Then followed in this parabolic ceremonial the burnt ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... The divine manifestation which followed is evidently meant to recall that ... The
instructions given to anoint a king of Syria and one of Israel were not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

Isaiah
... The passage was probably originally followed by v.26-29, which has a ... in v.23 stands,
as occasionally elsewhere, for Syria, from which Israel had suffered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... was a special significance in this, as Syria formed a ... During the troubled period
which followed, there was a ... Even the language of Israel had undergone a change ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ...
... of the Jews by repudiating all connection with Israel, and dedicating ... [1902] In the
contest between Syria and the Maccabees which followed, the Samaritans ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in judaea and.htm

Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
... The great empires which followed each other in Western Asia ... Israel became truly and
specially the people of God ... an official charlatanism, in Egypt and Syria to a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter i place of jesus.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... have occurred and Joshua would have followed Exodus and ... b) Northern hordes from and
through Syria had broken ... Israel was now, under God, to govern herself and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm