Designer Idols – Day 10

Chemosh

“In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done. On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.” 1 Kings 11:7 NLT

Known as the subduer or destroyer god, this deity is most readily associated with the Moabites and Ammonites. His presence in the Old Testament narrative is well known too. King Solomon imported this god and his cult into Jerusalem.

A subduer is someone or something that conquers and brings into subjection especially by an exertion of will. Rolling out the welcome matt for idols in your life allows it to subdue you to sin. Meaning, you start justifying your “pet sins”. Continuously allowing it to rule your life instead of God.

This is what happened to Solomon. His acceptance of idols into the kingdom he built for YWHY, allowed him to be subdued by their falsehood. Leading him to do what was evil in the Lord’s sight by following the idols instead of the one true King.

“Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine, But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.” Genesis 4:7

From creation, sin was never invited to the garden. The intention was never for it to rule our lives. But, slithering in on its belly through the beauty of God’s creation, sin became a reality. Just like in the garden it still desires to dominate you. But God’s Word tells all of us: “You must subdue it.” Not the other way around. On our own, this is not possible, but with Jesus, anything is possible through Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching us to subdue our sin and turn to Jesus. Please show me the areas in my life where I am subdued by it. Help me to overcome it in the Name above all names, the Name of Jesus. Amen.