Daily Word: Idolatry Part 7

For the last six days, we have examined some types of things that could be considered idols. Our text is Shemoth (Exodus) 20:3-4 which says: You have no other mighty ones against My face. You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth.... (The Scriptures) Today, we examine the fish symbol. The fish symbol was used because Christians were told that they are to be, "fishers of men." The church father Augustine said the following: "If you combine the initial letters of the five Greek words, which are Iesous Chreistos Theou Uios Soter, Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior, they make the word ichthus, meaning fish...." The church father Tertullian called the Messiah, "Our Fish." Is there anything wrong identifying Yeshua as a fish? Should we place fish symbols on our cars?

Icthus, or fish, was one of the names of the pagan god Bacchus and Bacchus was another name for Tammuz, the sun-deity. E. Goldsmith in the book Ancient Pagan Symbols says: "The Fish is also associated with the sun...the god of the sun...as a fish." Research tells us that there is a connection between the fish and sun worship. Again, we see evidence of the merger of pagan sun-deities with Christianity. This occurred in the fourth century when there was a real attempt to assimilate several religions together. Our duty is to investigate and be true to YHWH. He is the One True God and we must be exclusive in our devotion to Him. Yeshua is His Son and He came to teach us how to live and correctly interpret the Torah. He is our Savior and Messiah. We should allow no room for any pagan symbols.

Today, you have read another truth that may cause you to rethink some previously held beliefs. Does it really matter if we embrace a few pagan symbols in our faith? After all, does God really mind? Tomorrow, we look at God's opinion.