Devoted to Destruction

by Chadwick Brewer

“And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction” (Deuteronomy 7:26).

In this passage, Moses is instructing Israel on the need to destroy all idols in the land of Canaan. They are not to covet the silver or gold inlaid in these idols. Instead, they are to burn them with fire. If they do covet the silver or gold and bring it into their homes, they risk becoming devoted to destruction along with the idols.

Let us consider this passage in light of several New Testament teachings. Peter tells us that this world and its works are devoted to destruction (II Peter 3:10). John warns us not to love the world or the things in the world, adding that they are all passing away (I John 2:15-17). Paul teaches that covetousness, defined as an excessive desire to possess something, is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Jesus goes even further, saying that if we are to be devoted to God, we must despise mammon (Matthew 6:24).

There is certainly a distinction between what Israel was commanded to do with the physical idols in the land and how we are called to live in this world. However, there are also striking parallels. There is a real danger that the things of this world can seduce us, become obsessed with them, and fall into condemnation. We should take this threat very seriously. If we do not despise mammon and instead love the world or the things of this world, we too can become devoted to destruction.