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Daily Devotions

Isaiah

Isaiah 
Day 
Day 458

"You went up to offer sacrifice"

Text: Isaiah 57:7

WIDESPREAD IDOLATRY

The LORD disclosed His knowledge of the idolatrous practices of Israel. There was no way to hide the problem of idolatry.

“On a lofty and high mountain
You have set your bed;
Even there you went up
To offer sacrifice.
Also behind the doors and their posts
You have set up your remembrance;
For you have uncovered yourself to those other than Me,
And have gone up to them;
You have enlarged your bed
And made a covenant with them;
You have loved their bed,
Where you saw their nudity.”
Isaiah 57:7-8

1. Places where idols were worshipped.

a) On a lofty mountain.

b) In households:

i) Behind the doors.

ii) Behind bed posts.

c) The other places were already noted (Isaiah 57:5-6):

i) Under green trees.

ii) Near streams.

2. The word “bed”.

a) This is an important word to note.

b) The religion of Israel was likened to a marriage.

c) Marriage was a covenant to be observed.

3. Israel had made its bed with idols.

a) Israel had abandoned God in favour of idols.

b) The nation had gone to the bed of the idols.

4. The problem stated:

a) Symbolic

b) Literal

c) Temple prostitution was widely practised.

d) Many were enticed to idolatry through temple prostitutes.