This article is about Baal worship in the Bible. The word “Baal” derives from the Semitic stem “bel”, meaning “lord”. BAAL WORSHIP AND SEMITIC RACISM This term was used as a title and name of various local deities worshipped as guardians, heroes, and kings.
The Bible is full of colorful characters, from Noah to Moses to Jesus. But one of the most interesting and controversial figures in the Bible is Baal, the god of storms and fertility.
Baal worship was common among the Israelites in their early years as well as later—even after they were told by God that it was wrong!
In fact, Baal worship still exists today in various forms throughout the world. In this blog post, we’ll look at what Baal worship means and how it relates to other religions such as Judaism and Islam.
Baal was the Canaanite god of fertility, war, and storms. He was one of the most popular deities in Phoenicia and Syria and was worshipped by many nations in the ancient world.
The Bible condemns Baal worship in several places, most notably in 1 Kings 18:19-40 where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to see which god can bring fire down from heaven. The prophets of Baal fail miserably at this challenge and Elijah wins by calling down fire on his own altar.
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Baal Worship In The Bible
In the Bible, Baal worship is a form of idolatry practiced by many people in the land of Canaan. It involves the worship of Baal, who was a Canaanite god. The word “Canaan” refers to an area that is now modern-day Israel and Palestine.
Baal was also worshipped by various communities as a local god. The Hebrew scriptures speak frequently of the Baal of a given place or refers to Baalim in the plural, suggesting the evidence of local deities, or “lords,” of various locales.
In order to worship Baal, people would build altars for him and offer sacrifices to him. They also built temples where they could worship him.
The Bible describes how Baal was believed to be responsible for rain, fertility and agriculture. He was also thought to be able to provide protection from other gods or deities such as Ashtoreth (or Astarte), who was another Canaanite goddess associated with fertility and sexuality; Anat; Tammuz; and Mot (or Mavet).
Introduction
Baal worship is the term for the religious practices of ancient cultures that worshipped Baal, a god associated with fertility, thunderstorms, lightning and wind. The word baal is used in several different contexts in the Bible. Sometimes it’s a reference to a false god or an idol made by humans. Sometimes it’s used as a general term for any kind of paganism or idolatry. Other times, like when talking about Ahab, it’s used to refer to specific practices that were associated with the worship of Baal and other gods like him.
Baal was the god of rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and wind.
Baal was the god of rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and wind. He was also the divine ruler of fertility. The worship of Baal included child sacrifice to ensure the continuation of crops. In other words, if you didn’t sacrifice enough children to Baal then your crops wouldn’t grow properly.
In addition to being a fertility deity, Baal was also a war-god—as such he would lead battles in heaven as well as on earth. He was also thought to control access between our world and the underworld (i.e., hell). Finally he was associated with ships at sea; sailors prayed to him for safe journeys across oceans or along rivers where they might encounter storms or pirates.
Baal worship included fertility rites and also child sacrifice.
Baal worship involved fertility rites and child sacrifice, both of which the Bible condemns. The Bible admonishes parents not to put their children to death (Deuteronomy 22:2). God has given us a commandment not to murder our own offspring (Exodus 20:13). Child sacrifice is condemned in Hosea 9:11-12 as “abominations” that “I do not tolerate.”
Baal worship included orgiastic sexual activity of all sorts, which is also condemned by Scripture. Deuteronomy 23:17 says, “There shall be no whore among the daughters [of Israel] nor whoremonger among the sons [of Israel].” Proverbs 7 declares that fornicators will receive judgment from God in this life and eternal punishment in hell (verse 26).
Baal is often used as a general term for any false god or “idol”.
Baal is often used as a general term for any false god or “idol”. Baal worship was condemned in the Bible and practiced by many ancient cultures. Baal was the god of rain, thunderstorms, lightning and wind.
The Bible shows that baal worship is a form of paganism and idolatry.
Baal worship is strongly condemned in the Bible, and it is clear that Baal worship is a form of idolatry. In fact, this type of paganism was so prevalent in Israel and Judah during the time of the Old Testament, that God even sent prophets to warn the people about it.
God has given us instructions on how we should be worshipping Him throughout both Old and New Testaments. However, many people today still engage in these same practices as part of their personal religious beliefs today. Despite what you may have heard from others who argue otherwise, there are no good reasons to believe that Baal worship is acceptable or beneficial for Christians today!
Baal worship was practiced in many ancient cultures.
Baal worship was practiced in many ancient cultures. Baal was worshipped in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Baal was also worshipped in India, China and Japan.
In the Bible we see that it took a strong man like Gideon to stop this evil practice of Baal worship.
Baal was worshipped primarily in the Middle East and North Africa.
Baal worship was primarily practiced in the Middle East and North Africa. The god was worshipped in many cultures, but his followers were most numerous in ancient Canaan (the region roughly corresponding to modern Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon).
Baal was generally considered to be a fertility deity. He was thought to ensure rain for crops and thus prosperity for farmers. His temples often had pillars or poles with holes or niches that were used as altars for sacrifice offerings of foodstuffs like bread and wine. In addition to being the god of fertility and natural forces like rain, thunderstorms, lightning and wind; Baal was also believed to grant children to his worshippers as well as promote sexual desire through orgiastic rituals involving other gods called baals (as explained below).
Ahab is an example of someone who practiced baal worship.
You may remember Ahab, the king of Israel, from Bible stories. He was a bad king who married a princess named Jezebel, who had been raised in the Phoenician city of Sidon. She taught him to worship baal, which is another name for Baal or Beelzebub (the devil).
Baal worship is strongly condemned in the Bible.
Baal worship is strongly condemned in the Bible. The Bible says that baal worship is a form of paganism, idolatry, and witchcraft. It condemns this practice as a violation of the first commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3).
signs of baal worship
Baal was a false god the feckless Jewish King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel attempted to force upon the nation of Israel during the time of Elijah the Prophet (see 1 Kings 18). Consequently, during this tumultuous time – most Jews kept their faith and identity outwardly but bowed to Baal when necessary to appease Jezebel as well as mainstream culture.
The same is happening today with so-called Christians who espouse anti-biblical views that honor the prevailing culture but dishonor God.
During his opposition to Jezebel, Elijah grew weary because nobody else came forward to stand with him and the Lord. At that point God told him that there was a remnant of 7,000 who had not bowed their knee to Baal (see 1 Kings 19 and Romans 11:2-4).
The challenge Elijah had was that the preponderance of this remnant was hiding in caves (see 1 Kings 18:13), leaving him all alone to battle the dark forces working through the political system.
In the present day it also seems like there is only a remnant of biblically based confessing churches and believers willing to stand against the forces of hell manifesting itself through intolerant group-think activists who want to abolish the first amendment, squelch religious freedom, and silence all opposition through Jezebellion laws.
In the context of this article, I use the term “Baal worship” or “bowing to Baal” to refer to professing Christians who acquiesce to the world and compromise the Word of God.
The following are 10 signs you have already bowed your knee to Baal:
1. You accept, celebrate, and teach that God blesses alternate forms of marriage and family that dishonor the God of Scripture
Jesus said “in the beginning God made them male and female ….” when affirming that the form of marriage He affirmed was between one man and one woman (see Matthew 19:4-6). Not marriage between one man and multiple women, robots (humanoids?), or other unbiblical expressions outside of this one man/one woman rubric. Truly holding onto this biblical view of marriage has become the tell-tale sign of either fidelity to Scripture or cultural compromise.
2. You live out the values of pop culture even when it collides with the way of Jesus
Many (church attending) Baal bowing “believers” may not say or preach the wrong thing but their life choices belie and betray the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (see Jude 3).
3. You are afraid to represent Christ in public because of a fear of persecution
Many believers allow themselves to be intimidated by mainstream culture and kowtow to Baal because of their intense desire to “fit in” with the crowd. They ignore the fact that Jesus taught that those persecuted for righteousness will be blessed (see Matthew 5:11,12).
4. You put personal happiness above the will of God
Many “Christians” desire above all: a life of comfort and ease. Many have falsely been brought into a church with the false claims of the prosperity Gospel. However, the moment their quality of life is threatened legally they will prostate themselves so low before Baal they will clog their nose with the dust of the ground!
The apostle John had something to say to you when he admonished believers not to love the world nor the things of the world (see 1 John 2:15-17).
Your desire for happiness causes you to worship God only when convenient which means you bow to Baal when it’s inconvenient!
5. You love the praise of men more than the praises of God
You’re so insecure that you bow to Baal and sell your soul for the affirmation of your co-workers, neighbors, and culture.
The apostle John illustrated your life when he wrote that many of the rulers among the Jews believed in Jesus but were afraid to confess Him because they loved the praises of men more than the approval of God (see John 12:42,43). Furthermore, the apostle James said that friendship with the world is to be at enmity with God (see James 4:4). In your desire to appease the world you unfriend God and friend Baal.
6. You lack a biblical world view
Your view of reality and truth is shaped more by secular culture than the scriptures. As a matter of fact—your lifestyle choices demonstrate that you lift the values, views, and vision of secular culture above the Word of God. However—one day—while the world and its Baal worshippers are licking the dust in disgrace, those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars in the firmament (see Daniel 12: 2-3). Your ignorance and lack of pursuing biblical truth is your downfall, resulting in your pathetic obeisance to Baal.
7. You drink the Kool-Aid of groupthink
Instead of studying the Scriptures with a goal of cultivating the fear of the Lord and discernment so you can apply His truth in culture, you superficially believe and advance the views of pop culture, secular media, and/or your political party without digging beneath the surface. Consequently, you bow your knee to the Baal of celebrity pundits who make a living off of your ignorance.
8. You seek first “self-actualization” instead of God’s Kingdom
Jesus called His true followers to lose their life so they can find it (see Mark 8:35). Some popular preachers allure people by promising them they can be true to themselves and their desires while serving God. This is only true if a person delights in the Lord (see Psalm 37:4) which enables God to trust their desires since they emanate out of a love for Him.
In this world, the most sacred principle is self expression – in the Scriptures – the most reasonable act is to offer your body wholly up to God so as not to be conformed to this world (see Romans 12:1-3).
If your main desire in life is self actualization you will bow your knee to the Baal god of self love – if your main desire is the worship of the One true God, then your self life will be crucified so Christ can live through you (see Galatians 2:20).
9. You are beholden more to a political party than to His Kingdom
It is so easy to allow other people and/or a group to do the thinking and speaking for you. The problem with this is – in a two-party system like we have in the USA – it is virtually impossible for a political entity that depends upon playing to their base to stay in power to always remain true to biblical standards.
Hence, when you blindly support your political party or leaders (because of entitlements, skin color, racism, economic empowerment or rhetoric) then you will invariably find yourself at times bowing your knee to Baal.
10. Your identity is intentionally shaped by things other than God’s design for you
As a God lover – you derive your identity primarily from the fact you are a child of God (see Ephesians 1:3-7, 1 John 3:1). When your primary identity emanates from your ethnicity, vocation or sexual preferences- you will bow your knee to Baal any time you have to choose between them and biblical standards.
Conclusion
There are many false gods and idols in the world today. We must be careful not to worship them. The only true God is the one described in the Bible, who created everything and loves us.
