The Lord gave the nation of Israel a long list of laws to follow as they left Egypt for their new home. It helps to remember that good reasoning exists behind every rule, each placed to protect from harm and to provide for a better life.
God told Moses, Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow before it. I am the Lord your God.
Why this rule?
Venerating an idol diverts devotion from the Creator to the creation. A spiritual battle rages unseen around us, and our enemy delights in confusing religious affections. Rocks smoothed and scraped appear harmless, but behind them demons snicker as prayers bounce off.
Fervor of this type twists the worshiper into coaxing gifts or offering appeasements. Either way, getting what benefits them. But transactional worship fails to settle the heart. As the Lord said, you will eat, but you will not be satisfied.
The Lord desires us to know him, to savor a relationship that develops over years and lasts into eternity, a relationship that is rich, fulfilling, and growing ever deeper. We are made to enjoy the Lord.
A carved image stops all this cold. God wants to protect us from the dead end of transactional worship, and provide the peace of a life lived alongside the Lord.
Leviticus 26 in reading the Bible in 2023
Photo by Mick Haupt
Understanding idol worship starts in the mind, is key to understanding the Babylonian whore.
Understanding ( the RULE) of not taking the creators NAME in vain. WHY there is only one name by which man can be saved. Believing that the Creator does not LIE, 1 That HE IS jealous of HIS NAME REASON FOR RULE ABOUT NAME.2 that not only does YHWH not LIE, but HIS word is eternal.If one can understand these things then they can discern the Babylonian whore, that reigns over the NEW Roman Empire created from the mind of Constantinehe coming out of him as a decree sent forth throughout his world empire to set up the idolworsip of another name.