Throughout much of the Old Testament, the Israelites are trapped in a tragic cycle that looks like this:
- They follow God’s commands.
- God blesses them.
- They start to worship idols.
- God warns them.
- They ignore the warnings.
- God punishes them.
- They cry out to God for help.
- God delivers them.
- Back to step 1.
This cycle starts almost as soon as God rescues them from Egypt, and it repeats time and time again until they finally lose the promised land to the Babylonians. We’re talking eight hundred years, generation after generation, where the Israelites just can’t break free of this pattern.
So, what the heck was wrong with these people? Why didn’t they learn from their past? Why did they keep making the same mistakes? Were they insane? Because it sure looks like they kept doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
Don’t be too quick to judge. We’re not so different.
From good times to bad.
When times were at their best, the Israelites were often at their worst. When food was plentiful, and there was peace and safety, they would take their situation for granted. They would forget that God was providing these things.
Soon they would start to question their need for God. They didn’t need deliverance anymore. There was peace and prosperity throughout the land. Maybe they didn’t need God at all!
The Israelites would then turn away from God and fixate on idols. They would worship pagan gods like Baal and Asherah, seeking after power and pleasure. Yahweh, God of their ancestors, the one true God, was all but forgotten.
Then God would send a judge or a prophet to try to turn them from their wicked ways, but they wouldn’t listen. Finally, God would say, “Enough!” and they would get a taste of divine judgement. It seems only pain and suffering could get their attention and turn them back to God.
How about you?
Are you any different? Don’t you naturally start to back-burner God when times are good? Don’t you tend to forget where your blessings come from? I know I do. It’s part of our sinful, human nature.
Maybe you’re at a time in your life when everything is going great. The family is happy and healthy. The kids are doing well in school. You just got promoted at work. Your 401k is looking good. Life just couldn’t be better. If so, take heed!
When you are most secure in yourself, you are least dependent on God. When you’re riding high, you’re most at risk of a fall. It’s a good time to check for idols.
Modern idols.
I probably don’t need to warn you against worshiping golden calves or Asherah poles. Those kinds of idols are uncommon today. But, keep in mind that almost anything can become an idol, and often times that thing, in and of itself, isn’t bad. For example, money isn’t bad, but if it becomes more important to you than God, it becomes an idol.
Even good things can become idols when not in their proper place. Family, work, sports, entertainment. These are wonderful things, but they become idols when they take priority over God. Anything that ranks higher on your list than God is an idol.
Don’t ignore the warning.
Perhaps God is trying to get your attention right now. Maybe this post is meant to draw your attention to something in your life that has become an idol to you. If so, now is the time to repent! Tear down that idol, and turn back to God.
God is not sadistic, but He does inflict pain when it’s for our own good. As a good father disciplines his children when they do wrong, so God disciplines us.
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:11-12
It’s not too late.
Maybe you’ve pushed God aside for a long time, ignored His warnings, and now you’re suffering. You have two options. One: stubbornly double down and keep worshiping your idols. Two: humble yourself, confess your sin, and turn back to God. One option leads to further suffering, the other to salvation.
Like the ancient Israelites, we are prone to lose sight of what is most important, especially when times are good. So if things are going well for you, be vigilant! Be on the lookout for idols, and make sure that God has His proper place in your life. Don’t ignore God’s warnings when they come. In my experience, He will draw you back gently if He can, but will punish harshly when He must. Finally, if judgement falls on you, repent without delay. God is just, but He is also merciful and quick to forgive.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9
