Lord save us from our idols

In the first chapter of the book of Ezekiel, God is telling the prophet Ezekiel why he is so angry at the people of Israel and why he will afflict them with war, disease, famine and wild animals.

They were a rebellious people. They were proud, loved money to a point of sinning and were wicked. But over and over in the OT, the sin of idolatry is always the fly in the ointment.

God told Israel in Exodus 20:

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

— Exodus 20:2-6 (WEB)

We may not be carving golden calves or making Asherah poles, but we still dapple in idolatry.

When you feel as if God has deserted you, to where do you run? Have you made another (person/thing/place) your salvation and place of refuge? Whom do you call first in the day of trouble? Do you run to worship the created?

Tim Keller defines an idol as anything that absorbs our hearts and imagination more than God.Things we tend to trust or look to more than God, things we’ve turned into our salvation, things we attribute for our success or good hand life:

Good genes

Reputation.

Skills

Education

A good economy

Peace

Good climate

Job title

Beauty and looks

WorkNetworks and connections

Sphere of influence

Our spouses/parents/family

Money and possessions

Physical/ mental abilities

In Hosea, Homer thought her lovers are the ones that fed her. But see what God says:

“And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. 9 Therefore I will take back my grain in its time, and my wine in its season, and I will take away my wool and my flax, which were to cover her nakedness. 10 Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall rescue her out of my hand. “

They could also be things that capture our imagination and adoration, resources, joy and time more than God:

TV

Gaming

Social media

Hobbies

Celebrities

Friends

Parties/entertainment

Work

Family

Romantic relationships

Food

Exercise

Sex

Drugs

Sports and hobbies

Travel

Whom do you inquire of? Who’s your last word?

“My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles.” Hosea 4:13

God is still a jealous God. He jealously covets our hearts, devotion and worship. He is jealous for his glory and fame.

May God dethrone everything that has captured our hearts.

1 John 5:22 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

The question is not whether or not you have idols.The question is whether you recognise them.What are we giving our best energies, deepest devotion and highest trust?