Bible Reading Blog
“Tear Down the Idols”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Exodus 34
I was blessed with a large group of Christian friends in high school. When many our age were doing dumb things together, I didn’t feel to pressure to conform because I had friends like me. But over time some of my friends started spending more time with others who didn’t have the same spiritual values. They would go to the parties and engage in the things that, at one time, we would have agreed were wrong. I remember confronting one of my friends about this, to which he replied, “If I’m going to influence them, I’ve got to be with them.” At the time the sentiment made sense, but the results told a different story. Over time, my friend became more like them, and his spiritual convictions dwindled.
It is natural for people to assimilate with those around them. It’s Dinah going to see the people of the land (Genesis 34.1-4) or Judah ‘shearing his sheep’ with the Adullamite (Genesis 38.1-ff; 12-ff). The naïve are curious and intrigued by the acceptable practices of the world, which later become a snare in their lives. Biblical and secular history proves it is more common for an individual to be altered by the crowd than vise versa. And while relatability is important to believers, it must not be at the expense of loyalty.
As YHWH restates his promise and judgment against the Canaanites (Exodus 3.8; 13.5; 23.23; 33.2; cf. Genesis 15.18-21), he warns Israel plainly: Don’t become like the people (Exodus 34.12, 15). But YHWH doesn’t stop there. He commands Israel to destroy their gods: “Tear down the altars, break their pillars, cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god…)” (Exodus 34.13). Whatever affinity Israel might find from the locals will corrupt them for future generations. But more importantly, they do not belong to these lifeless things. YHWH, the Living God, is a jealous God, and rightfully so. He secured their freedom as a demonstration of his love and commitment. Israel must not allow any occasion for divided loyalties. They must destroy the idols.
As we journey through this life, we will be distracted and drawn by many things. People, pleasures and pursuits offer much value in establishing our identities; but they are worthless if they draw us from God. He is our life. God doesn’t expect us to destroy others but to bring down their gods by “destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10.5). This is no small task that will involve ridicule and rejection (1 Peter 4.1-6; 2 Peter 3.3-6). But we have been bought with a price and empowered to serve the Living God with totality. We must destroy the idols that captivate our attention. Hence why Jesus would call people to such extreme measures (Matthew 5.29-32; 19.21). This is the calling of holiness. Tear down the idols and serve God alone.
