SUNDAY March, 12, 2023

The Idiocy of Idolatry

“And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets: ‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, Images which you made to worship; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’ ”
Acts 7:41-43

Stephen, in his sermon, kept pressing the point of Israel’s’ continual rebelliousness and rejection of Moses, because ultimately they rejected Jesus Christ the Messiah. See how stiff-necked they were from the past, to the present and even into the future.

When Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments written with the very finger of God (Exodus 31:18), he had been gone for a long time. As he returned with the stone tablets in his hands, in rebellion, the people made a golden calf to worship. They had become so idolatrous. Moses cast the tablets down and broke them (Exodus 32:19).

Moses shouted, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” (Exodus 32:26). Three thousand among the people perished because they remained in rebellion (Exodus 32:28). Still Moses pleaded for the people, but the Lord plagued them for their idolatrous behavior.

What had God known about His people? In Exodus 32:9, He said to Moses: “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!” In judgment God could have destroyed them all, if it was not for Moses’ intercession. In Israel’s history, they were unfaithful to worship the living God. Other idols, Moloch and Remphan were worshiped. In judgment, Israel was led into captivity. They suffered greatly because of their idolatry.

Idolatry is an idiocy because idols cannot answer prayer. They are dumb, deaf and blind. They are not living. Yet idolatry remains in many of today’s societies. People from India, Asia and other countries still worship idols.

You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them. Whatever you love more than God is your idol.
~D.L. Moody~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!