Keep Yourself from Idols

Keep Yourself from IDOLS ‘Idols’ and ‘idolatry’ are frequent subjects in scripture. It was a primary cause of their decline and captivity by their enemies. The primary enemy spoken of is tagged with the name of BA’AL. Hoping to get a little more educated on the subject, I went to the Hebrew Greek lexicon and to my surprise discovered its root and original core meaning. It sent me on a journey of discovery that was very enlightening. In the new American standard Bible it is translated in many ways depending on the context in which the word occurs. And as usual not all translators agree. As Israel moved in among the neighboring peoples of Canaan, they were quickly introduced to their idolatry. Their dominant pagan deity was BA’AL. Again and again God would scold his people for their assemblies on every high hill and under every green spreading tree. There they would worship and offer sacrifice to BA’AL and other idols as well. Essentially, BA’AL was now their new OWNER, LORD, and MASTER. Like a husband whose wife has been unfaithful, God grieved over Israel’s unfaithfulness. They are now owned or possessed by the idol. It was now their MASTER, whereas Jehovah God was their rightful MASTER and LORD. The same is true for those who have trusted in Jesus Christ. Paul lays down a marker that should be the confession of every believer – 1 Corinthians 8:5-6…[5] For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), [6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.