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The loyal ones among the Israelites always worshiped God, creator of the universe, and they kept the entire Torah. The idolaters who had existed among us never made up the entire nation. This is clear from various Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) verses as well as our tradition in general. The prophets always had hundreds of very religious disciples, if not larger numbers.
God wrecked the Egyptian idols (Exodus 12:12) and warned against idolatry (Exodus 22:19). Abraham worshiped "the Lord God of Heaven and Earth" (Genesis 14:22 and 24:3) and complained about the Philistines' lack of fear of God (Genesis 20:11). Jacob confiscated the idolatrous images taken from Shechem (Genesis 35:2) and got rid of them (Genesis 35:4); and refrained from invoking the gods of Nahor (Genesis 31:53). Rachel pilfered Laban's statue-images (Genesis 31:19) in order to prevent him from idolatry (Rashi commentary, ibid.). Joseph placed his hope in the God of the Forefathers (Genesis 50:24). Moses characterized the Golden Calf as "a great sin" (Exodus 32:21, 30) and punished the worshipers (Exodus ch.32). During the rest of his lifetime and that of Joshua (Judges 2:7), no incidents of Jewish idolatry were reported.
Shortly before he died, Moses warned the people that he suspected that they would eventually succumb to the lure of the idols (Deuteronomy 29:17). Joshua gave a similar warning (Joshua ch. 24).
These warnings came true. Many of the Israelites went astray after the foreign gods (Judges 2:11). However, the Jews never invented their own idol. It was always the baneful influence of other peoples. And there were times when the entire Jewish nation repented (Judges 2:1-4) and prayed to God (Judges 3:9, 3:15, 6:6, 10:10).
Because of the idol-worship that did happen, images of idols have been found in Israel too. Images of God aren't found because it is forbidden to represent Him through imagery (Deuteronomy 4:15-16).
It should be noted that idolatry was never universal among the Jews. The tradition of the One God was handed down in every generation, whether by the few or the many; and it is those who handed down the tradition whose beliefs we Jews continue today. Deborah ascribed victory to God (Judges 4:14), Gideon tore down the idolatrous altar (Judges 6:25-27); Samson prayed to God (Judges 16:28), as did Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11) and Samuel (ibid. 12:18); Eli blessed in the name of God (1 Samuel 2:20), Saul built an altar to God (1 Samuel 14:35); Jonathan ascribed victory to God (1 Samuel 14:12), as did David (1 Samuel 17:46); and Solomon built the Temple for God (1 Kings 8:20). A number of the kings "did what was right in God's eyes": Asa (1 Kings 15:11), Yehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43), Yehoash (2 Kings 12:3), Amatziah (2 Kings 14:3), Azariah (2 Kings 15:3), Yotam (2 Kings 15:34), Hizkiah (2 Kings 18:3), and Josiah (2 Kings 22:2). Even at the height of the unfortunate spread of idolatry among the less-loyal Ten Tribes, there were thousands who remained loyal to God (1 Kings 19:18).
And, of course, the Prophets, who spoke in the name of God and warned against idolatry: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and so on.
The sages of the Talmud, who ridiculed idolatry (Megillah 25b), were simply continuing in the tradition of the Prophets whose verses are quoted in that context (ibid.).
What else can I help you with?
How was baalism introduced into Israel in the time of King Ahab?
According to the Bible, Ba'al Worship came to Israel through King Ahab's wife, Queen Jezebel for whom Ba'al Worship was her native religion.
Why is Mary's the queen of angels and saints?
This is traced back to the Queen Mother in ancient Israel. In Israel it was not the King's wife who was the Queen, it was his mother, we see this from the time of Solomon. Thus the King of Heaven if Our Blessed Lord, and His Mother reigns as Queen.
Who is the leader who appears among the Jews to restore greatness of ancient Israel?
The messiah, whom we still await.
Who were the sons of lavi?
The sons of LEVI(after whom the priesthood tribe of ancient Israel was named) were Merari,Kohath and Gershon.
Was ancient Israel monotheistic or polytheistic?
"There is a God in Israel." The people of ancient Israel tended to worship one god but thought other gods existed. They were monotheistic. However, some of the people worshiped more than one. It was the 6th century B.C. that Isaiah informed Israel that only one God existed. Israel became monotheistic.
What has the author Arthur Sumner Herbert written?
Arthur Sumner Herbert has written: 'Genesis 12-50' -- subject(s): Bible, Commentaries 'Worship in ancient Israel' -- subject(s): Cults, Worship, Worship in the Bible
Israel told to look upon the serpent not worship it?
that they were not to worship it
What do Israel wereship?
Israel has three different religions, jewish, christianity, and islam. The Islam worship their god Allah. The Christians worship God. And the Jews worship the messiah.
Where did Israel People go to worship?
To worship the Jews go to the synagogue.
Are ancient Hebrew and ancient Israel the same thing?
No. Ancient Hebrew is a language, and Ancient Israel is nation.
What did ancient Hebrew worship in?
In the ancient days the Jews worship ped in the temple.
How do you you know whom to worship and whom not to?
Whom you should worship and whom you should not worship depends on your religious affiliation. For example, if you are a Jew or a Muslim, you should worship God (or Allah) and no one else. If you are a Christian, you should worship God and Jesus but no one else. If you are a Zoroastrian, you should worship Ahura Mazda and no one else. Some religions have several gods, all of whom you should normally worship. Your religious leaders or your scriptures would give you advice on which gods to worship. The Dao religion has its own gods, but fully accepts the worship of any other God or gods that you wish to worship. Ask God to guide you to the . He will.
