And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant. And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. 2 Kings 23:3-4
And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes who were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. 2 Kings 23:7
King Josiah took down anything and everything related to idol worship upon making the covenant with the LORD. He desired to walk in the ways of His God which meant a lot of cleaning, both of the people and their ways. One aspect of this problem was that the women spent time weaving for an idol (which brings the topic to weaving).
The houses King Josiah broke down were “not solid houses, but tents, called elsewhere [2 Kings 17:30] Succoth-benoth, “the booths of the young women,” who were devoted to the service of Asherah, for which they made embroidered hangings, and in which they gave themselves to unbridled revelry and lust. Or the hangings might be for Asherah itself, as it is a popular superstition in the East to hang pieces of cloth on trees.” Asherah is…
אֲשֵׁרָה
‘asherah
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Ashera(h) = “groves (for idol worship)”
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a Babylonian (Astarte)-Canaanite goddess (of fortune and happiness), the supposed consort of Baal, her images
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the goddess, goddesses
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her images
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sacred trees or poles set up near an altar
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I know that I have been drawn into places that were not of God. I know I have allowed satan to lead me along paths where I knew I should not have been. How easily I was drawn into things that are worldly, calling me into disobedience to God. In reading this (and in other books of the Bible) I take a moment to discern whether I have done this creative hobby in any kind of disobedience to God. I believe not. But I want to discern any wayward ways and then to make sure I am staying firm in my walk with the LORD. Prayer, honor, respect and reverence for the LORD, time with Him, walking in faith are where I find my obedience and love for the LORD.
Father, I pray for the ability to stay on the path that You direct for me. I ask Your forgiveness for those places along my lifelong journey where I have strayed. I know I have when it comes to idol worship when I wandered into uncharted religions that I would call “New Age” today. I did not know then what I know now. I am sorry. I ask to have a tight hold upon me that I would walk close and straight with You. I thank You for Your love and care for me. You loved me first. I am blessed. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
To catch up on the previous days of this 31 day challenge, you can find them listed here.
Filed under: Devotionals, God's Word, Pondering
