Designer Idols – Day 4

Teraphim

“Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them. And she said to her father, ‘Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.’ And he searched but did not find the household idols” Genesis 31:34-35 (NKJV)

“So she helped him climb out through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then she took an idol and put it in his bed, covered it with blankets, and put a cushion of goat’s hair at its head. When the troops came to arrest David, she told them he was sick and couldn’t get out of bed.” 1 Samuel 19:13-14 (NLT)

There are comparable resemblances in both the actions of Rachel and Michal:

  • Their husbands were fleeing and in danger of being killed by their fathers
  • Both told a lie to protect themselves and their husband
  • They had the Teraphim in their possession

Household idols (known as Teraphim) were identified as guardians of comforts, domestic idols, nourishers of prosperity and wealth. They resembled the human form and varied in size from small (±20cm) to life-size. Rachel and Michal were ladies used to the luxury and comfort provided by their fathers and later, their husbands. They went to the extreme to ensure this lifestyle by turning to Teraphim’s instead of turning to God. But trying to procure their comfort, prosperity and wealth came at an expensive price. Rachel only bores two sons to Jacob, and Michal stayed barren and never bore any children to David.

Let us be honest, we ladies like comfort, prosperity, and wealth. The question is: to what extremes will you go to ensure it? The sin of idol worship leads to other sins too like lying and dishonesty. Teraphim’s today are the “little white lie” you tell your husband when you spend more than the budget, (or not tell him at all). It is the secret bank account or income he is not aware of, so you can have your “little luxury”. It is putting your trust in the bank balance instead of in God. Anything creating comfort and luxury that has not been a blessing from God has the allure of the Teraphim. Teraphims keep you from seeking the riches of Heaven by keeping you in a comfort zone.

Prayer: Father, I realise that sometimes I place comfort, prosperity, and wealth as idols in my heart and when it is being threatened, I will do what I can to try and keep it. Jesus, you told the wealthy man to sell all his belongings to truly follow you, and I understand why. Show me the Teraphims keeping me from seeking the riches of Heaven and help me to break them down in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

We would love to pray with you: prayer@womenoftheword.co.za