Ever since Mike Osborne challenged the congregation of UPC to read the bible more, I have been reading through the bible consecutively. (In the past I kind of skipped around to whatever book of the bible struck my fancy at the moment.) Currently, I am reading 2 Kings which has not been my favorite book. It is quite gruesome at times and there is a lot of repetition. However, I was struck today as I read chapters 22-23. In these chapters Josiah becomes king of Judah and during a temple renovation, the Book of the Law is found after years of neglect. Upon hearing the words written in the Book of the Law, Josiah renews the covenant with the Lord and purges the kingdom of idol worship.
Now what struck me about this passage is how entrenched idol worship was in the lives of the people of Judah. There were high places where incense was burned to the gods, a valley where child sacrifice was performed, multiple altars and idols within the temple, sacred stones, mediums, spiritists, and household gods. Idol worship had completely saturated the culture. It was in the home, in the market and in the temple. Sometimes as I read in the Old Testament my 21st century pride rears its ugly head as I think things like, “that is so dumb that they would worship pieces of stone or wood. I would never do anything like that.” But when I look past my pride I realize that essentially I do the same thing. When my life feels out of control I think that things like a clean house, a smaller dress size or an iced hazelnut latte can comfort or save me. How is this different than the people of Judah turning to the goddess of fertility when their crops are dying? And I realize that our culture is as entrenched in idol worship as Judah. As I look around there is addiction everywhere. We as human beings turn to all sorts of people and things to find comfort and salvation. Eventually all of these things will fall short, just like they did for the people of Judah. Only God can fulfill and sustain.
Poor I was and sought for riches
something that would satisfy
but the dust I gathered ‘round me
only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
Hallelujah! He has found me,
The One my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies all my longings
Through his blood I now am saved.
“Satisfied” by Clara T. Williams (1875) & Karl Digerness (1997)
