A question about Baal worship

2 Kings 17:10-11 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. There they burned incense on all the high places, like the nations whom the Lord had carried away before them; and they did wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger...

2 Kings 17:10, 16-17 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. So they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger.
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What was so very attractive about Baal worship to the Israelites? In other words, did they perceive some benefit? I have a hard time understanding the attraction. Generally great sin is committed because a person is deceived into thinking it is somehow "worth it." I don't understand this when it comes to this Baal worship by the Israelites- especially when they experienced Gods many judgments because of it.

When God created us, He breathed into us the "breath of life". This is the faculty through which we can enjoy communion with Him. However, the fall opened up the same part of our being to the influence of evil spirits. Christians fail to realize the part the spiritual world plays to influence our thinking. When we are not redeemed and filled with the Spirit of God our spirits become sitting ducks for the delusion of evil spirits and we can end up doing absurd evils which defy logic. Likewise, when we allow our hearts to be drawn away from God by the allure of the praise of men, riches, lust of the flesh etc. we again open up our hearts to "strong delusion". Hence we see people who once were on fire for God fall into degrading iniquity. Because we are made by God to be spiritual beings infilled by His Spirit there is much more than logic and intellectual reasoning determining how we live.

David

I understand what you are saying and agree; I am just wondering specifically what drew them to Baal worship; what did they think they were getting out of it?

My understanding (which is limited) is that Baal is associated with the lust of the eyes or acquisition of things,... in contrast to Ashtoreth which being associated with the lust of the flesh or an illicit experience- Where Moloch is associated with the pride of life or power to control- godlike.

At least that's how Paris Reidhead taught it if my memory serves me correctly.
You know it's interesting that all 3 were observed in the garden with Eve, the fruit "looked" good - lust of the eyes
was forbidden- lust of the flesh
make you like God- pride of life

It seems they follow progressively, when we get the thing we want and it doesn't fulfill us then we seek experience only to then find it didn't satisfy we often seek power...

I've (for some reason) always thought of Baal, Ashtoreth, & Moloch as demonic gubernatorialships, like they have certain areas they oversee and are representative of a "toehold", "foothold", and "stronghold"....

As some have pointed out, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are the ways in which Satan tempts man. It is always the same. The Scriptures in 2 Kings are a testimony of where man ends up when he rejects God and follows the temptations that are impressed upon the mind of the individual. So the one who follows the temptation will come to worship the creation as oppose to the Creator. The end result is the unfulfilled thirst for more that does not satisfy.

As Jesus taught the woman at the well, if you continue to seek relationships with men you will continue to thirst. If you drink of the water I have to give you you will thirst no more. Those who drink from the broken cistern will do things like those in 2 Kings.

Baal worship was shared experiences of those who have suffered the manifestation of sin that kills the individual. That is how Satan destroys.

I agree with your observations. Baal worship gave them an "excuse" to pursue and try to satisfy lustful desires. That's what they were getting out of it. They were getting nothing from Baal or Astoreth, obviously (they don't exist).

I don't think it was done in ignorance at all.

We cannot judge the Israelites by our Spirit-filled walk with Christ. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they did not.

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17

My two cents!!
God bless,
Lisa

Yes Lysa but burning their children to death? They knew what they were doing was wrong. But the orgies made it worth it. Pretty disgusting.

All it proves to me is God's outrageous patience.

I remember while in Israel last year that we visited Dan where Jeroboam set up a golden calf for the people to worship. He placed it there to entice the people to worship there instead of going to Jerusalem. I just didn't get it. I asked my fellow travelers how Jeroboam could have been so bold as to erect such a in your face provocation to God. Did he think it was going to go unnoticed or something? I still don't get it.

In my observation people who live in rebellion are not logical or sensible, making it impossible for sensible people to make sense of their stupid decision - like Baal worship that utilized child sacrifice in their worship. To answer your question I would say the devil blinded their emotions of pity, compassion to where they were hardened enough to accept the torture that led to the killing of their children. Too bad the Baal priests and their followers where not afforded the same treatment...wonder why? See how much fun that is..

My opinion.

Sandra

Sandra wrote:

"To answer your question I would say the devil blinded their emotions of pity, compassion to where they were hardened enough to accept the torture that led to the killing of their children."

Unfortunately, this is still occurring today. There exists an elite group of individuals all over the world who participate in this activity. If you noticed lately, all of a sudden there is story after story of child predators being arrested. There was a story about 3 months ago in Los Angeles where children were found locked up in cages. The story aired for one day only. The powers that be have tried to silence these events.

Even the Pope's right hand man, a Cardinal in Australia was just arrested for savage behavior.

by TMK
Yes Lysa but burning their children to death? They knew what they were doing was wrong.

I was just reading in 2 Kings how Josiah's workmen uncovered a copy of Torah while they were cleaning out the temple. The impression given is that many many years (generations?) did not have access to the written law. Josiah was appropriately freaked out because he realized that none of the law and in particular Passover had not been observed for years and years. It seems hard to believe that this was the only copy of the Torah available but that it had been misplaced.

Still, it would exceedingly generous to say the Israelites turned to Baal because they didn't know any better.

Of course we have Bibles all over the place in the US and look how far we have fallen. Apparently having the written word is not enough.

//I'd like for you to explain how you know that they knew they were doing wrong? //

We are talking about Israelites, not canaanites. For that matter I'd even say the canaanites knew it was wrong.

What was so very attractive about Baal worship to the Israelites? In other words, did they perceive some benefit? I have a hard time understanding the attraction.

I think the answer is in one of the verses that you quoted.

There they burned incense on all the high places, like the nations whom the Lord had carried away before them;

They were attracted to Baal worship by the nations surrounding them that worshipped Baal. I came from Hindu faith in India. I have seen how the Christians in India have lot of Hindu practices in their life. When they buy a new home, they bring a cow into the house first. They check for auspicious days from Hindu priests. Some even place some Hindu Idols in their home. These are regular Church goers who profess Christianity.

How did they become like this? They were influenced by their Hindu neighbors. When something good happen to a Hindu neighbor because they worshiped a cow, then even these Christians bring a cow to their home expecting the same material blessings as the Hindu receives. The same can be said about Hindu Idols.

Same way when Israelites observed that Baal was blessing their neighboring nations, then they too wanted to be part of Baal worship. Baal did not give them any difficult commandments to follow. Baal did not expect them to follow the 10 commandments. All that was needed is some external sacrifices, which are easy.

Sree- I get what you are saying but Baal wasn't blessing anyone, was he? (Because he doesn't exist?)

I really think that something about the practice of Baal worship drew them- likely the sexual perversion

Sree- I get what you are saying but Baal wasn't blessing anyone, was he? (Because he doesn't exist?)

It is actually not Baal or any Hindu God that blesses people. It is actually the one and only true living God who blesses people. But when a Christian sees a Hindu neighbor being blessed, he will try to worship the same God whom the neighbor worshiped.

I really think that something about the practice of Baal worship drew them- likely the sexual perversion

Yes it can be. I am only posting my opinion based on my observation of Indian Christians who are influenced by Hindu Gods. Having seen these things, it is very easy for me to believe that Israelites who saw so many mighty works of God, still went behind idols like Baal.

by TMK
We are talking about Israelites, not canaanites. For that matter I'd even say the canaanites knew it was wrong.

And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. ~ Judges 2:10

But how then do you deal with Romans 1?

As far as my understanding allows, yes they were "real" and could "bless" in the sense of a demon can assist in the acquisition of sin, no?

Take Deuteronomy 32 for example....

16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

If you care to, read the rest of the chapter as the Lord gets pretty heated with them-

But yeah my understanding is this; say a demonic entity masquerades as some sort of deity and gets people to worship it- it would make easy for the individuals in whom the devil had a strong hold to show favor or "bless" those whom are being recruited in whatever way possible.

Another way this happens (in my experience) is say a person is praying to God for a mate/spouse and is otherwise a faithful believer, but after a time of God making them wait (perhaps to prepare them) they grow weary and are so desirous that they fall into temptation with a person whom God has not led them to be with... My understanding is that the devils listen, or "seek out" someone to temp or "devour" and it wouldn't take much to draw someone in whom it had a stronghold to temp the person seeking a spouse.... and of course they would "look" the part- of course this could also be with money, status, goods, services, etc....

(And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.)

Good points Fletcher.

by TMK
But how then do you deal with Romans 1?

by TMK
What was so very attractive about Baal worship to the Israelites? In other words, did they perceive some benefit?

The gods of this world

1 John 2:16 " For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but Is from the world.”
Genesis 3:6 "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food” [natural desire] to enjoy things of the body- for food, sleep, sex etc. [which are not wrong in themselves but must not be misused]

"And that it was a delight to the eyes” [desire to get things] - this brings to one’s attention things outside oneself that he could get for himself in one way or another.

"And that the tree was to be desired to make one wise” [the desire to accomplish things for self, for the world, or for God.] this desire is not essentially wrong but may lead to pride. If we seek to accomplish more than God has led us to do.

"She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he did eat.”
Judges 19:10:6 "then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, served Baal and Ashtoreth, the gods of Aram, the gods of the sons of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. Thus they forsook the Lord and did not serve Him”
Israel entered the Promised Land and yet refused to throw down the altars of Baalim, Ashtoreth and Moloch.

Who is Baalim? The word means ‘owner’ and is worshipped to secure ‘things’ [things that break, get old and are hauled off]

Who is Ashtoreth? The god of sensual experience. Illegal experience-enjoying outside the bounds of God.

Who is Moloch? This is the god of ‘ascendancy over one’s fellows.’ Pride of life- the ambitious man wishes to rise above his present position or condition and puts forth effort toward that end.

Ambitious man for social position.
Enterprising man [interest especially in wealth is characterized by energy and daring in undertaking projects.

Aspiring man- wishes to rise [mentally or spiritually] to a high level or plane, or to attain some end that he feels to be above his ordinary expectations.
Luke 4:1-13 Satan attacked Christ with same pattern- [all Satan has are thee three weapons]

1. To enjoy things [lust of the flesh] "If thou art the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.

2. To get things [lust of the eyes] "He led Him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, to thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them. For it has been delivered unto me, and to whosoever I will give it, if thou wilt worship before me, it shall be thine.”

3. To do things [vainglory of life] "He led Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said unto Him, "If thou be the Son of God, cast yourself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee and on their hands shall they bear thee up, lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
Compilation Hegre and Reidhead

eileen

I understand what you are saying and agree; I am just wondering specifically what drew them to Baal worship; what did they think they were getting out of it?

Todd: I regularly meet and often minister to people who are absolutely in the depths of sin and their lives are a total wreck as a result. They are full of pain, depression, addiction, etc.. If I think about it, the same question comes up in my mind. But I don't think it has to do with personal benefit. It has to do with a heart that rejects submission to God and as a result is totally open to deception. I don't think people are generally in sin or worship false God's because they have done a personal cost vs. benefit analysis ( :-) ), but rather because they are open to deception.

Just my thoughts.