Feared the LORD, and Served Their Graven Images

2012-03-16

“So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.” (2 Kings 17:41)

When Israel went into exile because of their gross sins, the Assyrians took them away and transplanted foreign peoples in their place. These people worshipped their own gods, and lions were sent to destroy them. So they inquired, “The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land” (2 Kings 17:26). They were smart enough to know that there was a God that was unhappy with them, but they were uncertain of who it was and what he required. The king then authorizes a priest of Israel to go to the land and instruct them of the ways of this God. What do the people do, but combine the worship of the true God with their own gods, a practice which is commonly called syncretism.

When we worship God, and claim to be disciples of Christ, yet cling to some kind of sin, we fail in being his disciples. For these peoples that dwelt in Israel, it was a literal false god. That may not be the case for us. Money and comfort may also be idols. If we refuse to preach the Gospel, our safety or our reputation may be the idol. Either way, whatever that thing is that keeps us from serving God is an idol.

We must destroy the idols we cling to. Yes, we cling unto them. We must throw them away so we can be released to serve God the way he wants us to.