When We Mock the One True GOD and Bow to Idols
FOR YEARS, people have shaped idols from gold, silver, paper, stone, wood and bronze. Ever since the people of ADONAI were placed in Canaan land among all the ITES, they wanted to be and do like those people.
RIGHT AWAY, the LORD told them, “Remove them all (the natives and idols), or they will become a snare to you."
Idolatry, in a modern context, refers to the excessive or misplaced devotion to something or someone other than God, often leading to a reliance on that object or person for fulfillment, guidance, or blessing.
These modern-day idols can include a variety of things, including:
Relationships
Career
Possessions
Oneself
Idolatry is not JUST about bowing to statues; it's about ANYTHING that takes the place of the Creator in our hearts and minds. It is when that THING or PERSON becomes a source of our joy, security, or purpose.
Idolatry can lead to a sense of emptiness, a lack of true fulfillment, and a separation from the True GOD!
Why? When we attach to the idol, we detach from the LORD, and we start relying on something that cannot truly satisfy or provide lasting joy.
Judges 2:1-3 - An angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, “I made you to go up out of Egypt and have brought you unto the land which I vowed unto your fathers. I said, “I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall make an alliance with the inhabitants of this land; you shall throw down their altars: but you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?”
NOTE: A Theophany is a manifestation of the ELOHIM in the Bible that is tangible to the human senses. In its most uncertain sense, it is a visible appearance of the Creator in the TANAKH (Old Testament) period, often, but not always, in human form.
NOTE: A Christophany is considered as a pre-incarnate appearance of the Christ. It is a visible appearance of the Meshiach in the TANAKH (Old Testament) period, and in the Brit Chadasha (renewed Testament) often, but not always, in human form.
Deuteronomy 7:16 - You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your GOD will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.
Deuteronomy 7:2 - …and when the LORD your GOD has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you MUST devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.
Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your GOD is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave anything that breathes alive. Instead, you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, just as the LORD your GOD has Commanded you, so that they will not teach you to do all the same detestable practices of theirs which they have done for their gods, by which you would sin against the LORD your GOD.
Exodus 23:20-22 - Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. However, if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.
NOTE: THESE DAYS, You CAN’T tell someone that their environment is filled with idols and the worship of them today, you may be ousted, ostracized, disowned, ridiculed, shunned or even killed.
Joshua 23:14-16 - Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your GOD made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed; but just as every good thing the LORD your GOD promised you has come to pass, likewise the LORD will bring upon you the calamity He has threatened, until He has destroyed you from this good land He has given you. If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your GOD, which He Commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.”
Isaiah 46 (Isaiah is talking) -- In the context of Babylonian and related Mesopotamian religions (Akkadians, Assyrian, and Babylonians)
1. BEL [lord/master] has bowed down, NEBO [prophet & spokesman for divine wisdom, knowledge and communication] stoops over; their idols have become loads [burdens] for the animals and the cattle. The things that you carry are burdensome, a load for the weary animal.
2. They STOOPED [“shacah" is to bow or prostrate] over, they have BOWED [“Qadad" is to bow down or to bend the head, often as an act of reverence, worship, or submission. It conveys a physical gesture that reflects an inner attitude of humility or respect] down together. They could not RESCUE the BURDEN but have themselves gone into CAPTIVITY.
Isaiah 46 vividly presents the complete difference between the ineffective worship of idols and the steadfast love and strength of the One True GOD. It serves as a reminder of GOD's unchanging character, sovereignty, and His promises to save His people.
3. “Listen to Me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel. "YOU WHO HAVE BEEN CARRIED BY ME FROM BIRTH and HAVE BEEN CARRIED FROM THE WOMB."
4. Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will carry you! I have done it, and: I will BEAR YOU, I will CARRY YOU and I will SAVE YOU."
NOTE: Exodus 6:1-9
5. “To whom would you liken Me and make Me equal, and compare Me, that we would be alike?
6. Those who lavish gold from the bag and weigh silver on the scale, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god. They bow down, indeed they worship it.
7. They lift it on the shoulder, carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there. It does not move from its place. Though one may shout to it, it cannot answer. It cannot save him from his distress.
8. “Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you wrongdoers.
9. Remember the former things long past, for I am ELOHIM, and there is no other; I am GOD, and there is no one like Me,
10. Declaring the end [kates] from the beginning [reshith], and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My plan will be established,
and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’
NOTE: We use the Greek phrase, “He is the Alpha and Omega. If we desire a deeper understanding of His Truth, we should be saying, “He is the ‘reshith’ and the ‘kates’.”
NOTE: The Hebrew word " kates’" primarily denotes the concept of an end or a limit. In the Biblical context, " kates’" often signifies the fulfillment of GOD's plans or the culmination of prophetic events. This understanding was deeply rooted in their covenant relationship with GOD, Who revealed His purposes and plans through prophets. The notion of an "end" was not merely chronological but also theological, emphasizing GOD's sovereignty and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
NOTE: The Hebrew word for "beginning" is "reshith". It signifies the starting point of something. In the context of the Holy scriptures, "bereshit" means "in the beginning" and is used in the opening verse of Genesis.
NOTE: Usage: The Hebrew word "reshith" primarily denotes the concept of "beginning" or "first" in terms of time, order, or rank. If you care about actual context for Cultural and Historical Background usage, looking at the language of the ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of "beginning" was not only about chronological order but also about primacy and preeminence. The "first" of something was often considered the most important or sacred, as seen in the practice of offering the "firstfruits" to GOD. This reflects a worldview where the initial portion of anything was dedicated to the divine, acknowledging GOD's sovereignty and provision.
11. Calling a bird of prey (Cyrus) from the east, the man (Cyrus) of My purpose from a distant country (Iraq). Truly I have spoken. Truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it. I will certainly do it.
NOTE: “I summon a bird of prey from the east”
This phrase refers to GOD's sovereign control over nations and leaders. The "bird of prey" symbolizes a swift and powerful conqueror, often interpreted as Cyrus the Great of Persia. This aligns with God's use of foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes, as seen in other scriptures like Jeremiah 25:9, where Nebuchadnezzar is called GOD's servant.
NOTE: “…a man for My purpose from a far-off land”
Cyrus is again the likely reference here, as he was raised by GOD to fulfill His purpose of liberating the Judeans from Babylonian (Chaldees) captivity. This highlights the theme of divine providence, where God uses individuals, regardless of their knowledge of Him, to fulfill His plans, showing the idea that GOD's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
NOTE: “Truly I have spoken, and Truly I will bring it to pass”
This assurance is echoed in Numbers 23:19, where it is stated that GOD does not lie or change His mind. The fulfillment of prophecy serves as a testament to GOD's unchanging nature and His control over history.
NOTE: “I have planned it, and I will surely do it” GOD's plans are not hindered by human actions or circumstances. This is consistent with the Biblical narrative that GOD's purposes are established from eternity (Ephesians 1:11) & (Romans 8:28).
12. “Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, who are far from righteousness.
13. I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; and My salvation will not delay; and I will grant salvation in Zion, and My glory for Israel.
*** Manasseh, the wicked king during this time, promoted idolatry. He was displeased with Isaiah's prophetic messages that warned against his actions.
*** Babylonian historical records attribute Isaiah’s death to Manasseh. These accounts suggest that Isaiah's prophecies against Manasseh's idolatry and wicked ways led to his execution.
According to tradition, the prophet Isaiah was sawn in half by King Manasseh. Manasseh was the son of King Hezekiah and ruled the kingdom of Judah. The Bible does not explicitly mention the manner of Isaiah's death, but this tradition is widely accepted.
REDEMPTION and deliverance from Medo (Medes) - Persian (Iranian) Leaders
In Isaiah 45, the prophet Isaiah conveys GOD's message to Cyrus, whom GOD anoints as a shepherd and a messiah-like figure (for His people) even though Cyrus does not know Him. Once again, this highlights the theme of divine providence, where the ELOHIM of all the world uses individuals, regardless of their knowledge of Him, to fulfill His plans, showing the idea that GOD's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
REDEMPTION and Restoration of Manasseh
Judgment and Captivity:
Due to Manasseh's abominations, the LORD declared through His prophets that He would bring such disaster upon Jerusalem and Judah that it would cause the ears of those who hear it to tingle (2 Kings 21:12). The LORD's judgment was executed when the Assyrian army captured Manasseh, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:11).
Repentance and Restoration:
In his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his GOD and humbled himself greatly before the ELOHIM of his fathers (2 Chronicles 33:12). He prayed to the LORD, and GOD was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea. Consequently, the LORD brought him back to Jerusalem and restored him to his kingdom. This act of divine mercy led Manasseh to realize that the LORD is GOD (2 Chronicles 33:13).
Reforms and Legacy:
Upon his return, Manasseh made many changes. He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple mount and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside the city (2 Chronicles 33:15). He restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship and thanksgiving offerings on it, commanding Judah to serve the LORD, the GOD of Israel (2 Chronicles 33:16).
Despite his efforts to reform, the people continued to sacrifice at the high places, though only to the LORD their God (2 Chronicles 33:17).
NOTE: Manasseh's account is a profound testament to the power of repentance and GOD's willingness to forgive even the gravest of sins when one turns back <teshuvah> to Him with a sincere heart.