On idolatry

 

Exodus 20:2-5 

King James Version

2 I am the Lord thy God, 

which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, 

out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, 

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 

or that is in the earth beneath, 

or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, 

nor serve them: 

for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, 

visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 

unto the third and fourth generation of them 

that hate me;

How God hates idolatry!

And there are many forms of idolatry.

The next post will reveal more of that.

Why is it so hard for many to worship God?

Why the continued defiance?

As born again, I do know why.

It is easy for me to embrace the Lord Jesus' first great commandment, for it is unquestionable:

Mark 12:29-30 

King James Version

29 And Jesus answered him, 

The first of all the commandments is, 

Hear, O Israel; 

The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind, 

and with all thy strength: 

this is the first commandment.

God abhors graven images, as Scripture shows:

Leviticus 26:1 

King James Version

26 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, 

neither rear you up a standing image, 

neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, 

to bow down unto it: 

for I am the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 5:8 

King James Version

8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, 

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 

or that is in the earth beneath, 

or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

Deuteronomy 7:25 

King James Version

25 The graven images of their gods 

shall ye burn with fire: 

thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, 

nor take it unto thee, 

lest thou be snared therin: 

for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.

Deuteronomy 12:3 

King James Version

3 And ye shall overthrow their altars, 

and break their pillars, 

and burn their groves with fire; 

and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, 

and destroy the names of them out of that place.

Deuteronomy 27:15 

King James Version

15 Cursed be the man that maketh 

any graven or molten image, 

an abomination unto the Lord, 

the work of the hands of the craftsman, 

and putteth it in a secret place. 

And all the people shall answer and say, 

Amen.

Jeremiah 8:19 

King James Version

19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people 

because of them that dwell in a far country: 

Is not the Lord in Zion? 

is not her king in her? 

Why have they provoked me to anger 

with their graven images, 

and with strange vanities?

Have we no shame at all?

Have we no gratitude in our hearts, for the  life, and love, given us?

Why are we provoking the Lord's anger?

Have we any idea how powerful the Lord is?

From what demonic part of ourselves do we challenge the might, power, and authority of the Creator?

I, God's workman, will remind you to heed Scripture.

God is merciful, but as in the "days of Noah", so shall it be.

Unless you're born again, you cannot love God, as He wishes to be loved.

You will not understand things of the Spirit, for God is a Spirit.

John 4:24 

King James Version

24 God is a Spirit: 

and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

There is only ONE GOD.

There is only JESUS.

I abide, and live, by that.

Revelation 19:11-16 

King James Version

11 And I saw heaven opened, 

and behold a white horse; 

and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, 

and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, 

and on his head were many crowns; 

and he had a name written, 

that no man knew, 

but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: 

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven 

followed him upon white horses, 

clothed in fine linen, 

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, 

that with it he should smite the nations: 

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: 

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness 

and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture 

and on his thigh a name written, 

King Of Kings, 

And Lord Of Lords.

Related material:

Idolatry

Updated 24 November 2022