One person went to a famous temple, had to wait in the queue for over eight hours, but he fell sick. Police took him to the hospital. Again, after recovery stood for long hours, but inside, he was given just a few seconds to worship. Frustrated, he said he will make a mini temple on his private land. Tragically, many people were flocking to that temple, but few people died in a stampede. (The New Indian Express, 2 November 2025)
Micah’s idols: Encouraged by Micah’s mother, using 200 pieces of silver, a silversmith made an image. Micah consecrated the same and ordained Levi as priest. (Micah 17:1-5,12) Later, a group of Danites defeated Laish and rebuilt the city, and named it Dan. They took the idol of Micah and Levi and started worship. (Judges 18: 27-31) God had commanded not to have any images as objects of worship. Yet, the people of Dan started worshipping man-made gods.
Jeroboam: When Jeroboam was given the northern tribes of Israel to rule, he made political calculations. If the people go to worship in Jerusalem, they may like to join the Kingdom of Judah, and the Kingdom of Israel would end. So, he shrewdly built two temples in Samaria with a golden calf, as a deity, in Dan and Bethel. (I Kings 12:26-30) It was not about religion or spirituality, but a political strategy to make people his slaves. Instead of being loyal to Jehovah, he created his own gods to build credibility for his rulership. Tragically, God judged him, and all his family died. (I Kings 13:34)
Exchange glory: Paul warns: “Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:22-23) Throughout history in most cultures, new gods are imagined, created, and deified.
True worship: The Lord Jesus Christ taught that God should be worshipped in Truth and spirit, and not just in a particular place, with rituals and traditions. (John 4:24)
Do I worship the Lord in truth and spirit?