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This month I want to deal with the word "serve"; as used in the Scriptures concerning the service to idols and false g-ds. What, according to Scripture, defines service to idols, and what according to Scripture is idolatry? Let us look to the Scriptures for the answers.

The word "serve" in this verse and others (we will use later) is the Strongs # 5647 "avad" meaning to work (in any sense), to serve, enslave, bond-service, compel, keep, labor, (cause or make) to serve, (become) servant, worshipper, tiller. Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words page 224 under "to serve" says the word means, "to serve, cultivate, enslave, work." It is first used in Gen.2: 5 as "to till the ground " and then it is used in Gen.14: 4 and Gen.15: 13 as " to be enslaved to ". It can also be used concerning Yahweh, as in Deut.6: 13,11:13;Ps.72: 11; and Ps.100: 2.

Yahshua used this word in Mattithiyahu 4:10 and chapter 6:24 .The first example He was quoting Deut.6: 13 to the Adversary when Hasatan was trying to get Him to serve and worship him instead of Yahweh (as he does us). In the second verse Yahshua is referring to Believers trying to serve two masters or g-ds at the same time! Yahshua says,"You cannot be a servant to both Yahweh and riches." The word in Greek is "douleia" meaning to be slave, to be in bondage to, to serve. It comes from "doulos" meaning a slave or to be subjection to someone (#1398 Strongs).

We can see then according to usage of the word "serve" means to be a slave to, labor for, to worship, and to be a bond-slave (or one who has chosen to remain in subjection to someone.) Now, let us look at some other scriptures.

• Deut.12: 30 "Be careful not to be ensnared into following them by asking about their g-ds (elohim), saying: how did these nations serve their g-ds (elohim)? I also will do the same."
• Deut.28: 14 "For if you diligently observe and do all of Yahweh’s law, then you will not turn aside from any of the laws which I command you this day, to the right hand nor to the left: by going after any g-d (el) to serve it."
• Yahshua (Joshua) 24:15 "But if it seems evil to you serve Yahweh, then CHOOSE for yourselves this day whom you will serve- whether the g-ds (elohim) your fathers served ON THE OTHER SIDE of the river; Euphrates, or the g-ds (elohim) of the Amorites, in whose land YOU NOW LIVE; BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE: WE WILL SERVE YAHWEH!"

In light of these Scriptures, it is very clear Yahweh does NOT want us to serve other g-ds or idols. It violates the second commandment of the TEN WORDS given at Mt. Sinai from Yahweh’s own mouth and finger. These warnings are all repeated in the Brit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant).

I want you to notice also that to serve someone does involve a choice of our own volition or will. Otherwise, we have a free will that was given to us by Yahweh, and we have the right to exercise that free will in our service to Him or other g-ds. He wants us to willingly serve him from our heart and obey Him from that free will. This is easy if we really LOVE Him. Yahshua said,"If you LOVE me, you will keep my commandments." The choice is ours to make, as Renewed Covenant Israel, just as it was with the Israelites in the TaNaK.

What is Idolatry?

I can hear you now saying,"But I do not worship or serve idols! That was something they did in the Bible. That isn’t for today!" Let us examine some definitions of idolatry and see if the fit today’s society and religious rites.

• The Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol.8, pages 1231-1232; The Biblical Injunction against Idolatry. The Biblical injunction against idolatry comprises three more or less separate matters: the worship of idols, the worship of G-d with pagan rites, and the making of idols. The Biblical injunction against idol worship includes: 1) idol worship conforming to pagan rituals (Ex.20: 5;Deut.12: 30;cf.Sanh.61b); 2) bowing down (Ex.34: 14) offering sacrifice to another g-d (i.e. to idols Ex.22: 19), which according to rabbis, includes the performance of any of the rituals that form a part of the cult prescribed for the service of the L-rd.

This reflects the actual Biblical view of idolatry .The Bible conceives idolatry not merely as the worshipping of images but as the worshiping of anything, real, or imaginary, other than G-d Himself. This is implicit in the second commandment (Ex. 20: 3).

The injunction against worshipping G-d with the pagan rites (Deut.12: 31; c.f. Nahamanides ad loc.) reflects the Biblical view that G-d should be worshipped according to His will.

 

• The Horizon Book of Daily Life in Ancient Rome, by Lionel Casson, 1975, page 90, tells us: Like the Jewish faith from which it sprang, it was proudly exclusive: the worshipper of Chr-st would not include other deities in his prayers or bend his knees to the image of a Roman emperor.

The early Chr-stians clashed with pagan authorities as inevitably as had the Jews, and during the period we are surveying they suffered frequent and cruel persecution.

• Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, page 569 : idol-a-try/ 1) the worship of a physical object as a g-d 2)immoderate attachment or devotion to something

Now, reread all these definitions and let the Ruach Hakodesh reveal truth to your heart .Let me once again ask you some questions as I do every issue to challenge your belief system that you have been subjected to under the typical churchman’s teachings and theology from their denomination:

1. Do you try to worship Yahweh using words that are names of false idols or g-ds of other cultures of Biblical times (such as Lord, God, Christ, Jesus, Adonai)?
2. Do you celebrate the false holidays instituted by Rome, that have their roots, rites, and practices in pagan idol worship (such as Xmass, Easter/Ishtar, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween/All Saints Day)?
3. Do you worship on a day that reflects Sun worship (Sun-day); not the Scriptural Sabbath instituted by Yahweh in the book of Bereshit (Genesis)?
4. Are you trying to use the above things to worship Yahweh, instead of worshipping Him according to His will as revealed in the Scriptures?
5. Can you honestly say that after looking at the definitions of idolatry given from the above sources, you are free from idol worship?

I do not write these things to condemn or even judge others in their walk with Yahweh. I simply want you to start thinking for yourself and examine the Scriptures FOR YOURSELF .The worst enemy satan has is an informed and knowledgeable Believer who knows the Scriptures, who does not WANT to be deceived by men or an angel (messenger) of light. Remember that these are choices you are making on your own. But, as the song says:

"You have to serve somebody. It may be the devil, or it may be the L-rd (Yahweh). But you are going to have to serve somebody! "

* I apologize to my readers for having to use some names I do not use, but these are quotes from songs or other sources that do not use the set-apart Name of Yahweh or Yahshua.

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