Sacred pillars were originally set up as memorials.
- by Moses in Exod. 24:4, as a way to commemorate the establishment of the covenant of Sinai (e.g., Josh. 4:3,9,20)
- to some great event or to an appearance of God
- Shechem (cf. Josh. 24:26)
- Bethel (cf. Gen. 28:18)
- Gilead (cf. Gen. 31:45)
- Gilgal (cf. Josh. 4:5)
- Mizpah (cf. 1 Sam. 7:12)
- Gibeon (cf. 2 Sam 20:8)
- En-Rogel (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:9)
They came to be connected to the idolatrous sins of Ba’al worship and are condemned in Exod. 34:13; Deut. 12:3; 16:22; Micah 5:13. This demonstrates how the same practice or items or place can be accepted in an older part of the OT, but condemned in other parts.
Copyright © 2020 Bible Lessons International