GOD ABOVE ALL GODS (PART 2)

Abram, the progenitor of Israel, was called from the idolatry of Ur, and Israel became God’s witness against polytheism, Isa. 43. 10. Alas, in this they utterly failed, and suffered the captivity. Worse still, they could attempt to link God’s Name to a golden calf, to the brazen serpent, and to other idolatries. In all this, they “turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow”, Psa. 78. 57-58.

In great mercy God brought back a repenting remnant from the captivity. They were cured of outward idolatry.

But their renewed orthodoxy generated a Pharisaical spirit; they prominently wore broad phylacteries wherein the major text was “The Lord our God is one”, but they were blind leaders of the blind. Their legalistic pedantry was their substitute for true worship.

Did a Pharisee ever imagine that greed for riches was an abomination, that is, idolatrous?, Luke 16. 14-15; cf. Matt. 24. 15. Did the exemplary young ruler realize that he loved something beyond the Lord his God, Luke 18. 22. The Lord is a jealous God; He is to be loved beyond the nearest, Matt. 10. 37.

Besides these, there were “idols” made by errorists such as “another Jesus”, “another spirit”, associated with “another gospel”, 2 Cor. 11. 4; Gal. 1. 6-7. In such a context, the last surviving apostle pertinently and affectionately exhorts, “keep yourselves from idols”, 1 John 5. 21.

Jacob’s pilgrimage began when he realized God’s presence, and himself as the object of heaven’s attention. He called the place Bethel. After years of spiritual decline, the call came to get back to that significant place. This he did, but only after the idols were buried under a tree. At Bethel, he found the God of Bethel, Gen. 28; 35. 1-7.

When God is as the dew in freshness to the soul, we ask, “What have I to do any more with idols?”, Hos. 14. 5-8.

“We are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.. This is the true God, and eternal life”, 1 John 5. 20.