How are idols connected to demons (Deuteronomy 32:16-17)?

Answer

Deuteronomy 32:16–17 declares, “They stirred him to jealousy with unfamiliar deities; with detestable practices they provoked him to wrath. They offered sacrifices to spirits that were not gods, to gods they had never known, to new deities that had recently appeared, whom your ancestors had never feared” (ESV). This passage links pagan deities with “spirits” and cautions God’s people against engaging in idolatry.

The Hebrew text in this passage employs synonymous parallelism, where two or more lines convey the same concept using different terms. Here, the parallels include “unfamiliar deities” and “spirits that were not gods.” Linguistically, the spirits and the foreign deities are synonymous. The text explicitly correlates pagan worship with malevolent spirits. The false deities are juxtaposed with the true God, the “Rock” mentioned in verses 15 and 17.

Leviticus 17:7 establishes another significant link: “They shall no longer offer their sacrifices to spirits, to whom they have played the harlot” (NKJV). In this context, these spirits (referred to as “goat demons” in the ESV) are other deities revered by neighboring cultures. Once again, spirits are equated with pagan deities in this passage.

It is not coincidental that demonic actions are connected with belief systems that embrace numerous gods and goddesses. The inclination to seek supernatural connections with the “spirit realm” often directs individuals toward supernatural forces apart from the power God provides through a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. The devil seeks to be worshipped «and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. », (Matthew 4:9), and demons propagate false teachings to deceive «Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; », (1 Timothy 4:1). Those who worship false gods are, knowingly or unknowingly, pledging their allegiance to evil spirits who seek to take God’s rightful place in our hearts.

For Christians, an idol is considered as “nothing” «As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. », (1 Corinthians 8:4). This means that demons and their deception hold no true power over us. Any power they possess is insignificant compared to the power of Christ (see Mark 5:7-8).