The concern about idolatry in the Bible is not about God having worries in the way humans do, but rather about God’s desire for a relationship with His people that is based on love, trust, and devotion. Idolatry, in the biblical context, represents a turning away from God to worship created things rather than the Creator. It is about misplaced trust and affection, which ultimately harms the individual’s relationship with God and others.

The first two of the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:3-4, highlight this concern: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” These commandments emphasize the importance of devotion to God alone, indicating that idolatry is not just a matter of external worship but also of the heart’s allegiance.

God’s desire is for His people to know and love Him, recognizing His sovereignty, love, and provision. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This command underscores that the relationship with God is to be marked by wholehearted devotion.

Idolatry is seen as detrimental because it distorts this relationship. It leads individuals away from the truth of God’s nature and His good plans for them. Isaiah 44:9-20, for example, discusses the folly of idol worship, illustrating how it misleads people into putting their trust in things that cannot save or satisfy.

Therefore, the issue is not that an all-powerful God “worries” about idolatry in a human sense but that God, in His love, desires what is truly good for His creation. He knows that only in right relationship with Him can people find the fulfillment, purpose, and salvation they seek. Idolatry, in contrast, leads away from these things, which is why it is a central concern in God’s interactions with humanity as depicted in the Bible.