Idol Talk
The issue of idols is an age old problem. I want to consider the fertility idols in the context of early church's letter to the Gentiles. The Israelite received definitive direction on idols through Moses. "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:3-6)
Though this seems clear, it is a continuous problem. We see it again and again. Often these idols are tied to fertility. One particular passage in 1 Samuel 7:3, Samuel directs the Israelites to return to the LORD with all your hearts,” and “rid” themselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit themselves to the LORD and serve Him only. The Ashtoreths is reported to be a fertility god or idol. Fertility idols were related to wealth and prosperity. This might be worshipped for more children, rain, better flocks with perfect hair and skin, better job, or anything that will enhance one’s life materially.
How tempting it is to hold the better life idol, the prosperity idol, over a relationship with God himself. We use these idols, even God as a rabbit’s foot. Consider what those idols might be today. For me it is books and the wealth of knowledge that distracts from reading the pure word of God and knowing His word over others ideas about His word or books that have nothing to do with the Word at all. Don’t get me wrong, reading is not bad. But when we place it above scripture in time invested, when we spend crazy amounts of money to possess books, when we dedicate large spaces to books we will likely never use again, and when we refer to books without trusting God, they might be an idol. There are others, but I have problem with this one particularly.
Now this next comment is a stretch, I admit, but perhaps is suggest something. Let’s see. I once often ate fast food so I could read a book. I did not take time with my family around the table and I was not fasting. Could it be that fast food is often food that gets us to our idols faster, sports events, education, even “church?” You might disagree, but in the name of prosperity I think we eat out more so we can dedicate more time to those things we love, that often distract us from deep relationships, even our Lord. We might even think that a restaurant relationship with friends is better than in the home where they might discover how you really live, the real you.
I don’t know, I am just saying. This is more like rambling and I am just thinking out loud, but even so, could fast food be something like food sacrificed for idols today? It certainly isn’t that good for you.
Prayer: Lord, I do not want anything before you, yet I rush around from thing to thing. Forgive me and direct me as I rid idols from my life.
Created over 2 years ago
