IDOLATRY 3

 

When I was doing my degree some years ago I decided I would take some philosophy subjects. I was so excited to study the Greek philosophers and their much-revered wisdom thinking I would finally be wise….it was my worst subject. My professor even called me to see if I was understanding the concept of philosophy. I passed but only just and I never took another philosophy subject.

Having the Gospel in my life and knowing the simplicity and truthfulness of the Plan of Salvation, I could not for the life of me understand any of those philosophers who were trying to explain the meaning of life. It was complex, it was confusing and it made no sense. I was amazed how many people actually believed these human beings who were so far removed from the truth yet so respected by the world. I liked their random gems of wisdom but I am convinced their deeper ‘spiritual wisdom’ came from only one place – idolatry. Their thoughts were born in time and place when different gods were worshipped and their religious practices were totally bereft of the truth.

One of my most favourite parts of Paul’s mission to the Gentiles was his visit to the prominent Greek and Roman metropolis called Ephesus, one of seven wonders of the world. There in the Temple of Artemis pilgrims from all over the empire came to worship a goddess called Diana. The pilgrimage to this city provided income through visitor food, lodging, dedicatory offerings and souvenirs. Craftsmen who made and sold images of the goddess provoked a public uprising against Paul and his message. He was a threat to their livelihood with his preaching of a different god.

A large crowd gathered in the theater at Ephesus, which could hold 24,000 people, and chanted for two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” (Acts 19:23-34). Paul wanted to address the crowd, but he was dissuaded by the Church and government authorities who were concerned for his safety (vs 30-31). Can you imagine standing in front of such a possessed crowd?  I am in awe of Paul and his courage and his conviction of the true God of heaven.  

Ancient idolatry operated under the guise of intellectual roots but its worship rites and practices were rooted in sensual gratification. This is why ancient Israel fell victim to its practices once they entered Canaan. Idolatry with “its worship, appealing to every sensual passion, joined with the attractions of wealth and fashion and luxury, was a great temptation to a simple, restrained, agricultural people, whose worship and laws demanded the greatest purity of heart and of life.” (Smith, Dictionary of the Bible, “idolatry” p 264).

There is a form of ancient idolatry that has survived to this day. The most loathed and cursed king in the history of Judah was a king called Manasseh who ascended the throne in Jerusalem at the age of twelve and who reigned for 55 years, from 687 to 642 BCE. He introduced into the kingdom the Assyrians golden age of astrology and divination. The astral gods of Assyria – Ishtar, Shamash and Adad were worshipped on rooftops of the whole of Jerusalem.

Manasseh practiced soothsaying, used enchantments, worshipped Baal and all the host of heaven, built altars in the temple of Solomon for fertility practices and even sacrificed his son to god Moloch…..but this is how king Manasseh exceeded the idolatry of his predecessors – he added a third form of worship: devotion to the heavenly bodies and the constellations. Remnants of this worship are seen today in astrology. (see 2 Kings Chapter 21 and Notes and Commentary on this chapter in the New Testament Student Manual)

When I first learnt this I could see that horoscopes do not have such an innocent origin as I supposed. I was amazed how blindly we follow things without even knowing where their roots lie. Just about everybody in the world knows what ‘sign’ they are and they identify themselves and their nature by them.  Many live by their horoscope predictions and believe in them full-heartedly not realizing that they are being fed by the practice of divination from voices of the world.

In the end, everything that takes us away from God and replaces our faith in Him is idolatry. The adversary is clever, he will do anything to dissuade us from worshipping the one true and living God. He will give us some truth to deceive us overall but this is our advantage…..the Saviour’s love burns within us ever so bright, we bear His holy name and serve Him through Gospel’s everlasting light……

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Behold His Glory by Danny Hahlbohm)