Idols

First time doing a study on the word idol] in the Bible.  I was surprised to learn that there are 16 Hebrew words and 6 Greek words translated as such, which I believe is an indication that ‘idols’ are not easily defined.  They resist being put into a neat pigeon hole.  This may serve as a warning to us that idols can arise in unexpected places.

I did a search for words in the KJV for words containing: idol], abomin], image].  These are the most common English words translated from the Hebrew, and Greek words for “idols”.

There are 401 verses in the Bible and 484 instances where those words are found.  What greatly surprised me was that the book of Ezekiel contains 82 verses, and 98 matches of that total.

Ezekiel = 1 of the 66 books of the Bible = 1.5%

Ezekiel = 82 of the 401 Bible verses on idols, etc. =  20%

I’ve read the Bible quite a number of times, but reading the Bible is very different from studying the Bible.  I never associated Ezekiel with its heavy emphasis on idolatry.  It is an extremely prevalent topic, God’s frustration with the Hebrew people at their continual turning away from Him, and worshipping other gods.

Ezekiel KJV 11:16-20

 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

 And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.

 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel NLT 14:3-8

  “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests?

  Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the LORD, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves.

I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols.’

  “Therefore, tell the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins.

I, the LORD, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice.

I will turn against such people and make a terrible example of them, eliminating them from among my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Our God is a jealous God.  These verses are talking not only about idols carved of stone or wood, but idols set up in their hearts. . . The people are embracing these things. . . idols of the heart, which will lead them into sin.

These things are as relevant today, as prevalent today as 3000 years ago.  An idol may be defined as anything which gains higher importance in our lives than our one true God.  It can be money, social position, possessions, relationships.  Does it supersede, or interfere with, or take precedence over our relationship with God?

This can take many forms.  I recently related an occurrence which happened to me while ministering in the jail.  I had that day bought a beautiful new Bible.  After the last service ended in the evening.  It was close to 10 p.m. when we had to be out of the jail, and the inmates were heading back to their cells, an inmate approached me, and asked me for a Bible.  He was being sent downstate to the RDC (Reception Diagnostic Center) that very night.  There was no time to get a Bible from the chaplain’s office, and as clearly as anything, I heard God tell me that I should give him my Bible. . . there was a moment of almost physical pain, at the thought of giving him my beautiful new Bible. . . I resisted for a mere fraction of a second, before handing my beautiful new Bible to the inmate.  But that new Bible was too important to me. . . It might be called in my study here. . . an idol, something that for a brief instant took precedence over the will of God.

What if God asked you to give up your home, your car, your job or a valued possession?  Could you?  Would you? Be able. Be willing to do it?

It’s very comfortable, and safe to think of idols as little carved statues, but in truth they may reside much closer to home. . . 

I love You my God. . . 

Help me root out idols in my life. . . 

Dave