Perhaps the one freedom we should be concerned about is the freedom to choose our master. After all, one cannot take a step out of bed without submitting first to a hierarchy of values. Yes, from which coffee we ought to drink to whom we shall save or condemn, no one can act out in the world without this hierarchy. And that which sits atop of the hierarchy is our god or gods. Once we realize this, God’s jealousy and the strong condemnation of idolatry in the bible begins to make sense.
It was a small group of people, roaming around in the the desert, the ones best known for receiving the revelation of an Almighty God. The Alpha and Omega. The Creator of All. A Being that, by definition, transcends everything. And yet, this infinite Being was very concerned about the worship of other gods. Jealous, even. Why?
Well, it was not strange for polytheists to believe that their gods were, somehow, in need of their prayers and worship. And that their power would be tested as they fought against enemy gods when their people went to battle with foreign forces. Thus, one could conceive that a god could be jealous when enough attention was not given to him or her. This could then influence not only the outcome of battles but the very prosperity of the people.
Of course, most of us would easily dismiss this. We could deem these ancient people to be woefully ignorant; products of their time we could say. And indeed, they were ignorant but only for believing in faux gods. See, I do believe they were onto something. After all, what factor could possibly be more significant in determining the outcome of a society than who they worship?
Who they worship becomes their north, and from the gods a hierarchy of values descends, and from these values their laws and costumes come into place. Having this in mind, jealousy is warranted. For God, being limitless, would not lose power or knowledge or any faculty due to lack of attention but the people, whom he cares about, certainly would.
If the people forsake the Infinite One, who is alive and transcends all shapes, in exchange for gods that they mold in the likeness of animals and of hybrids, then disarray will surely come as a result. And if these idols who are mute and in need to be fed, are elevated in the high places of society, wont they simply reflect the unequilibrated desires of the masses? Or the hidden agency of lower beings?
It is no wonder why idolatry was so heavily condemned. We become like the gods we worship! It was never superstitious foolery but the most pressing concern these people could ever have. And we must not forget this. No greater aim can we have than to worship the only uncreated God. Because, contrary to popular modern belief, we cannot even step out of bed without worship.
Layman Thought 