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THE PUNISHMENT FOR IDOLATRY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13
Deuteronomy 17:1-7

1 Timothy 5:21-22

 

“…that thou observe these things

without preferring one before another…”

 

THE PUNISHMENT FOR IDOLATRY
 
Every aspect of life in Israel was guided by the Law of God. Idolaters were to be punished publicly after careful judgment. The priests and Levites gave the final judgment. The Law also prescribed guidelines for a king that God would appoint for the nation. He had to seek the right advice and follow the Law to the letter. The Lord would bless him and the nation for their obedience.
 
The right sacrifice to the Lord was a bullock without blemish. This was to preserve the sanctity of the sacrifice. Any service to the Lord is defined by perfection, thus the instruction concerning sacrifices is a picture of that requirement. Doing the contrary is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. It was wickedness for any man or woman to transgress the covenant of the Lord.
 
The sin that is repeatedly prohibited is that of idolatry. Moses was alarmed especially after Aaron had yielded to the demands of Israel and made a golden calf when Moses had gone to meet the Lord. All other nations were idol worshippers and each was committed to those manmade deities. That environment could easily persuade Israel to follow their way of worship, thus the command to keep away is given again and again. The Law also prescribed punishment of all idolaters. The Lord knew that it was easy to bring false accusation against someone. Such a report would not be accepted at face value. The Lord instructed that an inquest be made. “And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel” (Deut 17:4). The punishment for it was death and that was why judgment could not be done in a hurry. The penalty was carried out by stoning. The judge must be guided by the evidence of two or three witnesses. This was to prevent condemnation solely by hearsay. The witnesses were accountable for what they said and thus their hands were the first to stone him. They must tell the truth.
 
THOUGHT: Punishment is the only way to put away evil.

PRAYER: Father, may I not have other gods before Thee.

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