I am sure that very few of us have a carved statue of a weird looking Raven/Octopus/Leopard that we bow down to regularly and reverently. But that doesn't mean we are not guilty of IDOL worship. An idol can be any noun; a person, a place or a thing, or maybe even a verb! An activity in life that has become an addiction. I won't mention Facebook surfing, or blogging...or maybe I will.
But no, an IDOL does not have to be some kind of sacred object before it is referred to by the fourth commandment, which is found in Exodus 20.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
But no, an IDOL does not have to be some kind of sacred object before it is referred to by the fourth commandment, which is found in Exodus 20.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
The point here is at the end of the second line. Our God is "a jealous God." Not like when your neighbors are jealous of your new car, but like when your wife or husband is jealous of your attention if you spend it on someone less deserving (read: ANYONE). God wants us to share His love with the world, but hates to see us squandering that love on anything, or any one, who makes a mockery of that good gift.
What is the best way I can waste God's love? Which IDOL am I most likely to adore with great devotion; paying close attention and expressing the utmost concern over every little detail? Well there may not be an "I" in TEAM, but "I" stands at the front of every IDOL.
So accordingly, American Idol could be be an Idol.
ReplyDeleteInteresting and well done. ♥
Indeed Jo. That show's main power is its attraction to the idol worshipping nature of us all. Yes, I watch the whole show every year, and I marvel at the effectiveness of its process in finding such very talented, super fine singers (Jessica S, Joshua and Elise!!). And at the crowds of swooning fans generated, especially in the hometowns of the final 7.
DeleteBut when the new season starts every year I have to laugh at myself because I can barely remember the gender, let alone the name and image, of last year's winner!
Perhaps I watch because I am a singer myself so I compare and contrast my own singing with what I hear. If I was in the right age category, I might make it into one of the two roomfuls chosen to move on, but not into the top 24. Mine is not such a natural talent.
Excellent post - so true and I love how you explained "jealous God" thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sylvia! His is a good, complimenting jealousy.
DeleteInteresting observation. "I" in front of every idol. Indeed, we must heed that wisdom. I'm visiting from the A-Z challenge ":)
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