False Idols

The people of Israel were behaving badly … again. So Joshua brought the tribes together (Joshua 24:1-18). He reminded them of their deliverance from slavery and what God did in the wilderness. He said their ancestors had turned away from false gods and enjoined them to do the same. They agreed. Rejoice! But….

I read this passage every three years in the lectionary. I don’t think much about it. This is ancient history. I’ve never been a fan of the gods of the Amorites. Born, baptized, and raised a Lutheran, I am not tempted to sacrifice to Baal. I hear these verses and move on.

Then I read Jeremy Edgar’s definition of a false god: “someone or something that is highly revered, followed devoutly, sacrificed for, and looked to for meaning in life and deliverance from problems.” On Pastor Edgar’s website he listed ten contemporary false gods: comfort, beauty, education, substances (drugs, alcohol, junk food, nicotine, caffeine), religion, family, self, science, sex, money (https://canadianbibleguy.com/).

Suddenly Joshua’s message was driven home. He wasn’t speaking just to the Israelites. He addressed anyone who has ever looked to someone or something else for meaning or comfort, rather than turning to God. I could add to Edgar’s list: sports, status, a political party or candidate. A false god is anyone or anything that we devote our time and resources to, excluding everything else. I realize that I, too, have worshiped and continue to worship false idols.

As a lifetime Green Bay Packer fan, I have experienced the fan fervor in the stands at Lambeau field. I also spent two years pursuing an advanced academic degree to the exclusion of everything else. When I coached high school debate, the team was my life. It was only when I went to Guatemala and met Christians there that I fully realized what a life centered around God was like.

What idols would you add to Edgar’s list? Check your calendar. Examine your bank account and credit card receipts. Look at your screen time. Based on how you allocate your energy and resources, what gods do you worship?