IDOLS AND IDOLATRY --- PART 3

Why Does The Bible Consistently Condemn Idolatry?

Idolatry Reduces YHVH To A Deity That Can Be Manipulated:

Jacob told everyone in his household; ‘Destroy your idols, wash yourselves and put on clean clothing.’ -- Genesis 35:2. Why did the people have these idols? Idols were sometimes seen more as good-luck charms than as gods. Some Israelites, even though they worshiped YHVH, had idols in their homes, just as some believers today own good-luck trinkets. Jacob believed that idols should have no place in his household. He wanted nothing to divert his family’s spiritual focus. Jacob ordered his household to get rid of their gods. Unless we remove idols from our life, they can ruin our faith. What idols do we have? An idol is anything we put before YHVH. Idols don’t have to be physical objects; they can be thoughts or desires. Like Jacob, we should get rid of anything that could stand between us and YHVH.

Idolatry Often Arises Out Of Conformity To Our Environment:

When Moses failed to come back down the mountain right away, the people went to Aaron. ‘Look,’ they said, ‘make us some gods who can lead us. This man Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, has disappeared. We don’t know what has happened to him.’ -- Exodus 32:1. Two popular Egyptian gods; Hapi [Apis] and Hathor, were thought of as a bull and a heifer. The Canaanites around them worshiped Baal, thought of as a bull. Baal was their sacred symbol of power and fertility and was closely connected to immoral sexual practices. No doubt the Israelites, fresh from Egypt, found it quite natural to make a golden calf to represent YHVH who had just delivered them from their oppressors. They were weary of a god without a face. But in doing so, they were ignoring the Command He had just given them: Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish -- 20:4. They may even have thought they were worshiping YHVH. Their apparent sincerity was no substitute for obedience, nor excuse for disobedience.

Idolatry Is An Attempt To Make YHVH In Our Image:

Even if we do not make idols, we are often guilty of trying to make YHVH in our image, moulding Him to fit our expectations, desires and circumstances. When we do this, we end up worshiping ourselves rather than Elohiym who created us and self-worship, today as in the Israelites’ time, leads to all kinds of immorality. What is your favourite image of YHVH? Is it biblical? Is it adequate? Do you need to destroy it in order to worship the immeasurably powerful YHVH who delivered you from bondage to sin?

Idolatry Worships The Creation Rather Than The Creator:

Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living YHVH, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people or birds and animals and snakes. -- Romans 1:22-23. How could intelligent people turn to idolatry? Idolatry begins when people reject what they know about YHVH. Instead of looking to Him as the Creator and Sustainer of life, they see themselves as the centre of the universe. They soon invent gods that are convenient projections of their own selfish plans and decrees. These gods may be wooden figures, but they may also be goals or things we pursue such as money, power or comfort. They may even be misrepresentations of YHVH Himself; making YHVH in our image, instead of the reverse. The common denominator is this; idolaters worship the things YHVH made rather than YHVH Himself. Is there anything you feel you can’t live without? Is there any priority greater than YHVH? Do you have a dream you would sacrifice everything to realize? Does YHVH take first place? Do you worship YHVH or idols of your own making?

Idolatry Is Part Of An Overall Rejection Of YHVH:

Paul clearly portrays the inevitable downward spiral into sin. First, people reject YHVH; next, they make up their own ideas of what a god should be and do; then they fall into sin; sexual sin, greed, hatred, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip. Finally, they grow to hate YHVH and encourage others to do so. YHVH does not cause this steady progression toward evil. Rather, when people reject Him, He allows them to live as they choose. YHVH gives them over or permits them to experience the natural consequences of their sin. Once caught in the downward spiral, no one can pull himself or herself out. Sinners must trust Moshiach alone to put them on the path of escape.