Destroying pagan idols

Deuteronomy Chapter 12

The laws and regulations for the Israelites entering the new land, needed to be refreshed by Moses. He told them to be sure and drive out all the nations and especially destroy their gods completely. He told them to burn their Asherah poles and cut down the carved idols and erase the name of their gods from all places, and smash their altars.

Moses informed the people that they must seek the Lord at the place he himself would choose from among all the tribes for his name to be honored. There the people would bring the Lord their burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, special gifts, offerings to fulfill a vow, freewill offerings and offerings of the firstborn animals of flocks and herds. In this place, their families would feast in the presence of God and they would rejoice in all they had accomplished because the Lord blessed them.

Today, Moses said to the people, you do whatever you please, but when you cross the Jordan and live in the land the Lord is giving you as a special possession, he will give you rest and security from your enemies. You must bring all your offerings to the place the Lord you God will choose for his name to be honored. There you will celebrate with your sons and daughters and servants and remember the Levites who live in your towns, for they have no inheritance of land. Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings just anywhere. Do so only at the place the Lord will choose within one of your tribal territories.

Meanwhile the people were free to butcher animals for meat in any town and eat as many animals as the Lord gave them. All of you, said Moses, whether ceremonially clean or unclean may eat that meat. The restriction is that you may not eat the blood. And your offerings must not be eaten at home. They must be eaten in the presence of the Lord at the place he will choose.

When the Lord enlarges your territory as he promised, said Moses, you may eat meat whenever you want, because the place the Lord chooses for his name to be honored may be a long way from your home. Be careful to obey all the commands so all goes well with you and your children. Remember to not be trapped into following the worship of other gods. These nations that honor other gods have committed detestable acts that the Lord hates, all in the name of their gods. They even burned their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods. Be careful and obey the command of the Lord.

BIBLE NOTES show that the reason God was going over and over his rules, was because the Israelites might be tempted to worship idols. In this chapter we see how the Israelites put great emphasis on family worship. This gave the children a healthy attitude toward worship such as seeing a family member confess his sins.

It is apparent that God did not even want the Israelites to ask about the pagan religions surrounding them. It was too easy to get drawn in.

How does this chapter relate to us today? Temptation is prevelant in our everyday lives. We all worship idols in some way, whether it be money, prestige, material possessions, our jobs. These temptations turn us away from God. It’s important to know that ANYBODY can be tempted, we are never strong enough to resist and anybody who denies this is a fool. We need to take a tip from the Israelites and fashion our lives with the emphasis on family. Together, with God’s help, we can turn our lives to him and not worry because his peace will keep our hearts and thoughts quiet and at rest.

Yours in Christ,
Mary