YOUTH STS LESSON 132 CAUTION AGAINST IDOLATRY AND FALSE PROPHETS

 TEXT: Deuteronomy 12:1-32; 13:1-18.  

MEMORY VERSE: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” (1 John 5:21).

The worship of God is a divine service that requires godly reverence and respect. To achieve this, God gives us laws and regulations to guide our worship. In our text, God gave the laws of worship and service in the sanctuary through Moses to the children of Israel. This is because true spiritual and divine worship, when established and maintained gives a refreshing and reviving influence to the family, church and nation. On the other hand, a corrupted, human-devised worship has an evil influence that sets worshippers against God. Interestingly, the principles God gave concerning true worship has not changed.

Question 1: What are the essential features of true worship?

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23). The essential features of true WORSHIP include:

(1) the Word of God (Colossians 3:16);

(2) Obedience to the word of God (Luke 6:46);

(3) Redemption from sin through Christ (Ephesians 1:7);

(4) Submission to the word of God (James 4:7);

(5) Holiness of heart and life before God (Luke 1:75);

(6) Integrity before God (Acts 24:16) and

(7) Preaching the word of God (2 Timothy 4:1,2).

EXTERMINATION OF FALSE WORSHIP (Deuteronomy 12:1-3,29- 31; 7:1-6,23-26; 1 Samuel 15:1-6; 2 Samuel 5:19-21; 1 Chronicles 14:8-12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

“Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree”Y of the true knowledge of pure religion and the worship of the true (verse 2). The entrance of Israel into Canaan marked the beginning God. This became possible through the establishment of true worship.

Question 2: What did God want Israel to do with the idolatrous spots of the heathen nations?

“And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place” (verse 3). The means of freedom from the influence of idolatry is the extermination or destruction of every monument or symbol of idolatry. This means, any place where the idolatrous nations worshipped their gods were to be destroyed, burnt and overthrown. They were not to be remembered again by the children of Israel. In the same way, Christian youths are expected to do away with anything in connection with idol worship.

Question 3: Why was God so firm in dealing with the Canaanites?

The command to exterminate the heathen Canaanites was with a moral purpose. The Israelites were given Canaan as a possession because the seven nations were incorrigible and idolatrous. They had spurned God’s laws and warning for many years (Deuteronomy 12:31; Genesis 15:16). There was nothing left for them but to be cut off and without remedy. Today, God is warning sinners and backsliders to turn away from their sins, accept and believe on the Saviour Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Anyone who refuses, rejects and continues in sin will be punished. “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1).

EXALTATION OF TRUE WORSHIP (Deuteronomy 12:4-14; Psalm 96:1-9; Deuteronomy 14:22,23; John 4:19-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

“But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come” (Deuteronomy 12:5). God demanded centralisation in worship as the children of Israel entered Canaan. This was a sharp contrast to heathen worship. The Canaanites had innumerable places of worship. The idea of a central place of worship takes after the erection of the Tabernacle at Sinai. Therefore, centralisation in worship will be a stepping stone from the danger of polytheism to true, divine worship. The central place of worship was also to ensure strict and monitored compliance with God’s rules regarding true worship. However, it must be noted that while God demanded a centralised place of worship in the Old Testament, there is a shift in emphasis in the New Testament. Today, the true worship of God is “in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23) not necessarily a physical location. This does not mean we cannot meet together for fellowship and worship as children of God in smaller units in physical locations (Acts 20:7,28- 32; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

Question 4: What are the essential ingredients of true worship?

“And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks” (verse 6). The characteristics of true worship were: one, the worship should be in the place God chooses (verses 5,11,14). This promoted unity in Israel as a nation.

Two, the worship was characterised by giving tithes and offerings (verses 6,11,14,17). God had always cherished people who would offer to Him with a willing heart (Exodus 35:5).

Three, true worship is characterised by the presence of the whole family (verse 12). It provides occasion of rejoicing for all the members of the family.

Four, true worship promotes righteousness and holiness (verses 8,9). “Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, for ever, when thou doest, that which is good and right in the that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee sight of the LORD thy God” (verse 28). The children of Israel were encouraged to obey the word of God so that it would be well with them. When we obey God, He is happy and He demonstrates it by giving us His blessings. Start to obey Him today and His blessings will flow into your life. These blessings include:

(1) Spiritual and physical wellness (Psalm 1:2,3);

(2) Overall success in all endeavours (Joshua 1:8);

(3) Revival and renewal (Isaiah 40:28-31);

(4) Spiritual experiences and strength (Ephesians 1:3);

(5) Good health always (3 John 2);

(6) Increase in intelligence quotients (Proverbs 10:6,7) and

(7) Power and possibilities in all things (Luke 4:32; 5:17).

EXHORTATION TO FLEE IDOLATRY (Deuteronomy 13:1,18; Exodus 20:4; Matthew 7:15; 24:11,24; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1; Jude 3,4; 2 John 9-11; Revelation 2:18-23)

“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them” (verses 1,2). In our text, God warned Israel against those who would, on entering into the land of promise, compromise and attempt to teach others to do so. Three categories of people were identified. These were the prophets, relatives and the whole cities. The judgments in all cases were severe and unsparing. When you turn your devotion from God to some other things, that is compromise. Some youths do not only compromise, they also teach and seduce others to do so. In the Old Testament, Balaam compromised his faith and ministry in exchange for honour and wealth he never lived to enjoy. Judas Iscariot also compromised and lost his life without any remedy.

Question 5: Why is idol worship a great sin before the Lord?

“Thou shalt have none other gods before me” (Deuteronomy 5:7). Idol worship is a great sin before the Lord because it is against His commandment. It makes the heart to have a divided loyalty (Hosea 10:2). It leads to compromise and backsliding (Hosea 4:16,17). It competes in the heart to take the place of God. Such a person will be forsaken by God. “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone” (Hosea 4:17).

Question 6: Why is warning against false prophets and idolatry relevant to the Church today?

The warning God gave the children of Israel against false prophets and strange gods have direct relevance to the youths, families and the church, today.

First, absolute loyalty to God is required from us.

Second, Christ warned that our relationship with Him does not cancel the possibility of temptation from the devil (Matthew 26:40,41).

Three, a backslider may rise against the true gospel in Christ. We must keep our commitment and conviction to the teachings we have received in the church. The judgment against false prophets and idol worshippers was severe. The Israelites were to stone such people to death. False prophets, seducers and compromisers of true worship deserve a common treatment REJECTION. God regards them as the enemies of believers, who should not be allowed to influence the body of Christ.