The Lord’s Indictment Against Idolatry
September 28, 2022
Commentary
In the previous verses we were told how “dead works” is judged. The Sacrifice God is looking for is one of thanksgiving and obedience from a heart that cries out to the Lord on the day of trouble so He can receive the glory (vv. 14-15). Now we are told how wickedness is judged (v. 16). The inadequacy of the old sacrificial system is shown by (1) a hateful attitude (v. 17), (2) Sharing with thieves and adulterers (v. 18), (3) Lying (v. 19), and (4) Slander (v. 20).
God’s longsuffering grace must never be looked on as laxity (II Peter 3:3-10) nor abused (v. 21). His reckoning for rebellion will be carried out. Before destruction comes there will be an opportunity for deliberation and repentance (v. 22), Some of the greatest blessings ever to come to mankind have come through the Jew who was acting in the will of God. To the Jew we owe our Bible, our Savior and our faith. However, the Jew out of the will of God can do more to neutralize, dynamic, evangelical Christianity than anything else the world has to offer. Any missionary caught trying to share the gospel with the Jew in Israel today will probably be expelled from the country. A several years ago, a missionary, we know, in Word of Life was kicked out of Israel for sharing the Gospel.
The crowning sin of Israel in the Old Testament, up to the Babylonian captivity, was idolatry. After the captivity idolatrywas not the big problem but instead it was formalism and hypocrisy. In the future, during the tribulation, many Jews will revert to idolatry and worship the image of the beast. In the meantime, God pledges to reveal Himself to those who want to know the truth (v. 23).
Application
Idolatry is still a big sin in the world today. In many religions, like Roman Catholicism, people carry a crucifix and bow down to statues of the Virgin Mary etc. In Protestantism it may be things like a car, a boat or other objects.
Psalms 50:14–23 (NET)
14 Present to God a thank offering. Repay your vows to the Most High.
15 Pray to me when you are in trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant?
17 For you hate instruction and reject my words.
18 When you see a thief, you join him; you associate with men who are unfaithful to their wives.
19 You do damage with words, and use your tongue to deceive.
20 You plot against your brother; you slander your own brother.
21 When you did these things, I was silent, so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you.
22 Carefully consider this, you who reject God. Otherwise I will rip you to shreds and no one will be able to rescue you.
23 Whoever presents a thank offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”
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