The knowledge of the LORD

 October 14, 2020 (Wednesday)

 

One point we tend to not understand is the knowledge of the LORD was fairly widespread during Isaac’s life. I think this is due to the reality of the life of Noah’s sons. Were ever they and their families settled, they carried this knowledge with them.

 

One example is King Abilemek, a Philistine. In Genesis 26:28 we read, “They said, “We now see that the Lord was with you. We propose that there be a formal agreement between us and that we draw up a treaty with you.” [CEB] I do not think Abilemek’s use of the LORD’s name is random, out of politeness, or inserted by Moses. I suspect he at least knew about the LORD.

 

The issue which the nation of Israel will wrestle with is not the existence of the LORD. The problem is the addition of other “gods” to the knowledge of the one true God. In giving the “Ten Commandments,” the LORD insisted, “You must have no other gods before me. Do not make an idol for yourself—no form whatsoever—of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.“ [Exodus 20:4 – 4 CEB]

 

Technically an “idol” is an image that represents something or someone in religious practice. Most dictionaries will not go that far. My understanding of an image is either a statue or a picture. This statue or picture represents a “god” (or “spirit”) that is used as an aid to worship that “god.” God did not intend for any object to represent or replace Him. God did not intend any object to aid in His worship.

 

Even the Temple and the objects in the temple were not to be used as anything beyond tools. The altar was where sacrifices were made. Inside the “holy of holies” was the “Ark of the Covenant.” This area can only be entered once a year by one person (the High Priest). It was never an object of worship.

 

Ancient Israel had a problem keeping the LORD as the only one they worshiped. Even the Temple became polluted with images and idols. In one revival, “Manasseh also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the LORD’s Temple. He tore down all the altars he had built on the hill where the Temple stood and all the altars that were in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city.” [2 Chronicles 33:15 NLT] Eventually Manasseh was considered “evil” by Scripture because he built shrines and idols around the country.

 

This practice haunted Israel until the Babylonian captivity. Ezekiel witnessed, “So I went in and looked, and I saw every form of loathsome beasts and creeping things and all the idols of the house of Israel engraved on the walls all around.” [Ezekiel 8:10 CEB] Paul picked up on the clues as he formed theology on the “lostness” of humanity.

 

Paul states in Romans 1:23, “They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that look like mortal humans: birds, animals, and reptiles.” [CEB] When we exchange the glory of God for images, pollute our love for God, or divide our loyalty to God; we are in deep, deep, deep trouble. He continues, “They traded God’s truth for a lie, and they worshipped and served the creation instead of the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [Romans 1:25 CEB]

 

What is your idol? Some are worn on the wrist, tucked in a pocket, or hung around the neck. Maybe we drive them, live in them, and gather with them for holidays. We can make idols of ideals, things, or people. We are close to an election, as the meme says “Don’t let donkeys and elephants cause you forget you belong to the Lamb.” (Yooper Pastor… Tom Cash)