Our Hidden Idols

Our Hidden Idols

Rachel

Read: Genesis 31:17-35

Sandra rushed up the stairs and shoved the envelope in the bottom of her underwear drawer. Just in time, she thought as she heard the garage door open. Lately, Matt had been wondering why their bank account stayed so low, but she knew how to disguise her spending. He’d be furious if he discovered that she played the lottery every week, but someday he would thank her. She just knew that any day now she would have a winning ticket.

During the time period of Genesis 31, many people kept small wooden or metal idols, or “gods,” in their homes. These were thought to afford protection and guidance, and they also had legal significance connected with passing on the family inheritance. When Jacob decided to leave his uncle’s home, Rachel secretly stole her father’s idols. Did she hope that the idols would bless their journey, or was she afraid that Laban could use them to find out where they had gone? Perhaps she stole them to ensure that she would inherit her father’s estate.

Whatever her reason, the theft soon put Rachel’s life in danger. When Jacob was confronted by Laban, he promised to kill anyone who was found in possession of the gods. Laban searched, but he never found his idols because Rachel was sitting on them the whole time.

We may not have statues or objects in our homes that we bow down to, but we may have idols in our hearts. Anytime that we give something other than God first place in our lives, it becomes an idol. It may be a relationship, a job, a habit, a hobby, materialism, or the pursuit of pleasure. God wants us to be fully devoted to him. He is the only One worthy of our worship and adoration. We can’t hide our idols from him, even by sitting on them.

[Jesus replied,] “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”

Mark 12:30