Gods and Idols
Psalm 97:7,9 ; 135:15-18
I was recently asked the question, are gods and idols the same thing? After thinking about the answer, I realized that the answer is not that simple. In the word of God we will see that they are used two different ways. Therefore, we must let the context show us which one is being referred to in each passage.
When we think of idols we usually think of manmade statutes of gold, silver, brass etc. While these definitely are an example of idols, gods can also refer to these same things. But gods can also be used to talk about devils, or spiritual being associated with the devil. Below we will look at some examples of each.
Exodus 32:1-4 ; Deuteronomy 4:28; 17:3 (gods being silver, gold, bass, etc.)
Exodus 15:11 ; 18:1-11 ; Deuteronomy 10:17 ; 32:17 (gods being spiritual beings)
What is the real issue with Idols?
The real issue is what is the being or force that is behind the idol or represented by the idol? Note the first time that Israel makes an idol it is a golden calf, but they give it credit for bringing them up out of Egypt. (Exodus 32:1-4 ; 1 Kings 12:28)
Satan and his devils love to hide behind the object that is worshipped. This subtility is shown to us today in how the 10 commandments are twisted by certain groups in order to have graven images associated with their worship.
{Refer to handout from the catechism}
Note that the catechism justifies graven images using 3 examples from the Old Testament, the serpent of brass, the ark of the covenant, and cherubim. What is interesting is that the serpent brass became an idol and was destroyed by Hezekiah. Israel made an idol out of the ark instead of trusting the God behind the ark, and as for cherubim Satan was the anointed cherub that covereth. I would not want to use these three examples for justification for having images associated with worshipping in my church.
Serpent of Brass becoming idol (2 Kings 18:4-5)
Ark of the covenant becoming an idol (1 Samuel 4:1-11)
Satan as the anointed cherub (Ezekiel 28:12)
Note that God never allowed Israel to make an image of him because he knew they would trust the image and not him. Satan hide be hind the image to distract from himself.
The key in this is what are you trusting something man made or God himself (Psalm 135:15-18)