Worshipping carved images of hand-made gods is certainly not something we are prone to do in our society today. But the essence of idolatry is often embodied in a person or a thing that we pursue. Basically anything that occupies our attention to the extend that we revolve life around it has become an idol to us. In this way idolatry is very much alive today. And God is dead set against anything that has this much power over us.
One form of idolatry that has affected our modern world is this idea of a 'soul mate'. The feeling of being in love is intoxicating, and it can lead to many false promises in our imagination. With 'soul mate' idolatry we pin our hope on one person to make us happy and to make us feel complete, not realizing that these deep longings can only be fulfilled by God alone. We seek from a soul mate what only God can give.
No wonder God portraits himself as husband to Israel in the Old Testament. And it is in this context that we understand what it means when God says that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5).
One form of idolatry that has affected our modern world is this idea of a 'soul mate'. The feeling of being in love is intoxicating, and it can lead to many false promises in our imagination. With 'soul mate' idolatry we pin our hope on one person to make us happy and to make us feel complete, not realizing that these deep longings can only be fulfilled by God alone. We seek from a soul mate what only God can give.
No wonder God portraits himself as husband to Israel in the Old Testament. And it is in this context that we understand what it means when God says that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5).
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