Final thoughts on idols and idolatry

     Recall Jeremiah’s final warning for those clinging to idolatry.

     “Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.  Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble…’”  Jeremiah 11:11-12

     Note the ‘I wills,’ ‘I will surely bring calamity on them,’ ‘I will not listen to them.’  Idolatry has devastating consequences.  God confirms that Judah and Jerusalem will cry out to their gods for deliverance; however, their gods are totally powerless to do anything.

     “So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble.”  Jeremiah 11:14

     Judah and Jerusalem had reached the point of no return.  There was no remedy for them but rather the foretold deportation to Babylon had arrived.

     In current times many may attempt to compromise, i.e. claiming to be citizens of the Kingdom while clinging to idols.  Many times idols are not recognized as such.  Jesus spoke of the futility of duel alliance.

     “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon (riches).”  Matthew 6:24

     The Apostle Paul stated that everyone served idols before turning to the true God and His Son.

     “…and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”  1 Thessalonians 1:9b

     In the above Scripture passages the Greek for ‘serve’ includes such synonyms as bondage, devoted, and lust.

     And the Apostle John stated very succinctly:

     “…keep yourselves from idols.”  1 John 5:21

     Idols are false gods.  They can represent anything that rules the thoughts and desires, whether tangible or a concept of the mind.  As such they are imaginary deities and falsely worshipped. 

     Very simply stated, they are not God.

     Just as God told Jeremiah not to pray for those who wouldn’t forsake their idols, such applies to those in the latter days.

     Idolaters will not inherit nor enjoy a part in the millennial kingdom; rather they will be raised to stand before the great white throne judgment.

     “But the cowardly, unbelieving abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:8

     Likewise, such idolaters will not reside in the New Jerusalem which will descend out of heaven.

     “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”  Revelation 22:15

     While God will give freely from the fountain the waters of life to everyone who thirsts for it, the ‘world’ seeks to prepare for the future by assembling idols.

     Only God can deliver from death.  Only God can tell the end from the beginning.  Only God is God.

     The world and particularly America is in utter chaos.  Many are claiming that the answer to survive through an uncertain future is to buy and hoard gold or silver.

     God told the Israelites in the Old Testament that the idols of the nations were made of silver and gold.  He reminded them that such were totally impotent to speak, see, or hear.  They had no ability to provide wisdom or speak of future events.  They were completely dead.

     What can a thousand Krugerrands do to deliver a person from the righteous judgment of God?

     Israel and Judah would not forsake their idols until finally God told Jeremiah not to pray for them inasmuch as they had passed the point of remedy.

     The very same challenge faces America today, i.e. are we also so dependant on idols that we as a nation have passed the point of no return?  Or do we even recognize the influence of idols surrounding us?

Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

    

Idolatry leads to death

     We’ve seen that God warned Israel about idolatry and its consequences before they even entered the Promised Land.

    Let’s go forward about half a millennium and resume the discussion.

     “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.  They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes…but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths.  Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.”  Psalm 135:15-18

     The idols referenced are of the gentiles and are made of silver and gold.  Both metals were considered valuable then and especially now.

     Idols are described as completely lifeless; they are totally impotent to do anything.  Those who make them or trust in them are equally worthless.

     Thereafter the prophets spoke much about idols and the futility of dependence on them.

    “Let them bring forth and show us what will happen…that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them;  Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods…Indeed you are nothing and your work is nothing; he who chooses you is an abomination.”  Isaiah 41:22-24

     The challenges presented for idols to prove themselves are exclusively acts of deity.  Only God can declare that which is to come and proclaim the end from the beginning.  It is again declared that idols are nothing and he who trusts in such is an abomination, i.e. a detestable thing. 

     God admonishes His people to look only to Him for deliverance.

     “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other.  I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath…”  Isaiah 45:22-23

     Truth prevails and is timeless.  Nearly 800 years later the Apostle Paul echoed God’s words.

     “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him (the Christ) and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11

    Who but God could proclaim the future in detail?

     God foreknew all of Israel’s history before time began.  Back in the time of Moses He proclaimed that the day would come when Israel would be in dire need of deliverance from her enemies.  In the time of Isaiah, as in ages past, He mocked those who trusted in idols.

     “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you.  But the wind will carry them all away…”  Isaiah 57:13a

     Only those who trusted in God would inherit the land in the time of the millennial kingdom.  False gods, i.e. idols and those who trusted in them would be blown away by the wind into eternal separation from the only God.

     Jeremiah likewise extolled the folly of idolatry.

     “Thus you shall say to them; ‘The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.’  He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.”  Jeremiah 10:11-12

     God states that gods have no power of creation.  Creation is exclusively an act of deity.  God created according to His purpose and discretion.  The wisdom of God was embodied in Christ before the foundation of the world.  Any other ‘gods’ shall perish.

     Jeremiah further describes the consequences of those who cling to gods instead of God.

     God reminds Jeremiah that those of Judah and the city of Jerusalem have turned their backs on Him by serving other gods.  They have broken the covenant God made with their fathers.

     “Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen…”  Jeremiah 11:11

     Is America placing her trust in God or gods?

    

The Futility of Idols

     Moses’ final words provided specific details of the idolatry that Israel would be involved with when they entered and prospered in their Promised Land.  They would mingle with the remnants of the gentiles that had not been deposed by Joshua.  The result would be in essence, multiculturalism.  Such had been specifically warned against and forbidden.

     Recall the Israelites had been instructed that there would be but one law for the Israelites and the strangers (aliens) remaining in the land.

     God’s forewarning soon became reality.

     “But Jeshurun (Israel) grew fat and kicked…Then he forsook God who made him, and scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.”  Deuteronomy 32:15

     Thus, when Israel had received the gifts provided by God (the Rock of their deliverance and victory) and prospered greatly in their new land, they became proud and set their Provider aside.  They claimed full credit for their success. 

     Notice how their actions coincided with an earlier warning given during their forty years in the wilderness.

     “…when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…when you have eaten and are full – then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”  Deuteronomy 6:10-12

     Moses stressed the fact that Israel had forgotten, i.e. willfully set aside, the source of their success.

     “Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you.”  Deuteronomy 32:18

     Note the similarity of Israel’s behavior and that of America.

     America was once under the rule of another nation and was set free.  America now touts that she is the most exceptional nation in the ‘world’ due to her ingenuity and economic prowess. 

     Now that America is experiencing economic challenges, and facing threats from ‘those of the East,’ is seeking God for deliverance her first priority?  Or is America depending on her fiscal genius and international coalitions to deliver her from her challenges and threats?

     What solutions are being offered by those seeking the office of president during the present political chaos?

     Moses addressed similar issues and voiced God’s response to Israel’s challenges.

     “He will say, ‘Where are their gods, the rock in which they sought refuge? ...Let them rise and help you, and be your refuge.’”  Deuteronomy 32:37-38

     God virtually mocks the idolaters by telling them to turn to their self-made idols in their time of troubles to deliver them from adversity. 

     The Hebrew for ‘rock’ means ‘that in which they have placed their trust,’ i.e. their perceived refuge, strength, and deliverer.

     Does America seek the Rock, or their many rocks?  Does America depend on missile defense systems to protect herself from the likes of North Korea or Iran?  Does America depend on UN Sanctions to control the aggression of hostile nations?  Does America strive for internal peace by passing legislation that protects those engaged in abominable practices?  Does America depend on naïve diplomacy with nations hostile to God to achieve pseudo peace?

     Does America participate in multiculturalism to win the approval of other nations?  Perhaps America should consult the Bible or simply ask Europe how that strategy is working.

    Current presidential aspirants contend that the first step in national success is to have a robust and growing economy.  That is the accepted ‘rock’ for America to remain the most exceptional nation in the world.

     God reveals the naiveté of such thinking.

     “Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me…Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.”  Deuteronomy 32:39

     God is the ‘Rock’ and the only power to deliver victory from enemies.  His plan for the nations and His purpose for His chosen will stand.

     Many are beginning to think that Franklin Graham is right by disassociating himself from any political faction and turning directly to God for America’s future.

     Of course he’s right.

     We always need to keep in mind Paul’s admonition to the church when he stated that those things that happened to Israel, especially during their receiving the law prior to entering the Promised Land, serve as examples for us in this current age.

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

    

Idolatry, then and now

     Israel has a long history of idolatry.  While idolatry has taken on many forms, its basic definition is to worship or serve anything other than the one and true God. 

     An idol can be something tangible made with hands, or it can be an ideology or concept.  In all cases it is an imaginary false deity (god).

     To serve an idol of any kind is to commit spiritual adultery against God.  These definitions basically apply to the Hebrew meanings of idolatry as well as to the Greek definitions found in the New Testament.

     Just prior to Moses’ death God told him that Israel would be involved in idolatry to the extent that He would forsake them, and hide His face from them, all because they would turn to other gods.

     “And the LORD said to Moses: ‘Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them...’”  Deuteronomy 31:16a NKJV

     It is so amazing that Israel’s Sovereign God would reveal the future thoughts and actions of His people.

     The KJ version uses the phrasing ‘go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land.’  God had previously warned the Israelites on numerous occasions of the consequences of not completely ridding the land of its occupants. 

     In the present context the wording ‘play the harlot’ means to have illegal contact between Israel and other nations and their gods.

     God was very specific relative to Israel’s future actions and the required consequences.  He instructed Moses to write down beforehand what they would do and use the writing, called a song, as a witness confirming His warning. 

     “…write down this song…and teach it to the children of Israel…When I have brought them to the land… and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and they will provoke Me…”  Deuteronomy 31:19-20

     God told Moses in advance that the Israelites would be given everything they could possibly need or want, but instead of praising God for His goodness, they would give the credit for their success to false gods.

     Perhaps they would credit their own ingenuity and effort for their success, or perhaps they would tout their trading treaties with other nations for their economic prowess.  Whatever their reasoning, they would forget their true provider and ‘worship’ their self accomplishment.  Such would become ‘other gods.’

     But just as God explained their behavior in advance, such apostasy would have disastrous results.

     “Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness…for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them.”  Deuteronomy 31:21

     After recording the words of the song in the book of the law and placing it in the Ark of the Covenant, Moses called the elders and officers together and told them what God had told him.

     “For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you.  And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.”  Deuteronomy 31:29

       The Hebrew word for work in this context means ‘labor, or something made,’ while ‘hands’ means ‘power or strength.’  Thus, the Israelites would attribute all their success to their own efforts instead of God’s grace.

     The term in the ‘latter days’ has eschatological implications; God’s justice has not as yet been fully levied on His chosen nation.  Such will be accomplished during the ‘time of Jacob’s trouble,’ i.e. the great tribulation.

     It must always be kept in mind Paul’s application of Israel’s history, particularly during their forty years between the Exodus and entering the Promised Land.

     “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”  1 Corinthians 10:11

     Share you thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com