The children of Israyl were warned, just as we are, not to worship Asherah. However, as we have already read, this is exactly what they ended up doing.
DEUTERONOMY 32:17-18—
17 They sacrificed to demons (gods, elohim), which are not of Yahweh, to gods (elohim) they did not know; to gods (elohim) newly come up, to gods (elohim, teraphim) your fathers did not worship.
18 You are unmindful of, and you forgot The Rock that begot you; our Father Who formed you.
Yahweh also warned them not to worship Him in the same manner that the nations surrounding them, worshipped their Gods. Notice Yahweh's words.
12 Be careful that you make no treaties with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, or they will be a snare in your midst.
13 But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their sacred poles; Asherah poles.
14 You shall worship no hinder gods (elohim) at all, for Yahweh, Who is jealous (of His children), is a zealous Father.
15 Be careful to make no treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods (elohim) and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices.
16 And when you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters prostitute themselves to their gods (elohim), your sons will prostitute themselves with them.
17 You shall make no molded gods (elohim or teraphim) for yourselves.
Again, the children of Israyl did exactly what Yahweh warned them not to do. They were guilty of following Satan in her rebellion. Remember, Satan (Lucifer) departed from Yahweh. She influenced mankind to depart from Yahweh and follow in her ways. Throughout the history of mankind, many have been deceived and have fallen into this trap. The children of Israyl, too, fell into this trap, because they did not heed Yahweh's warning, and began to accept the ways of the nations surrounding them, worshipping Him in the same manner as the nations worshipped their Gods. Eventually, they also accepted their Gods and the laws of their Gods.
Recall also that Satan created a counterfeit religion, and through deception, actually had her followers thinking that they were worshiping Yahweh. Through her deception, Satan (Asherah) led the nation of Israyl to mix the pure worship of Yahweh with pagan Godworship. Yahweh knew that the nations surrounding the children of Israyl would become a snare to them if His people mingled with them. He knew that the nations would entice His people with their Gods and their ways. That is why Yahweh told His people to make no treaties with the nations, and warned them against making an image of His wife. Notice Yahweh's warning again.
12 Be careful that you make no treaties with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, or they will be a snare in your midst.
13 But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their sacred poles; Asherah poles.
14 You shall worship no hinder gods (elohim) at all, for Yahweh, Who is jealous (of His children), is a jealous Father, Who is provoked by any gods (elohim).
15 Be careful to make no treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods (elohim) and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices.
16 And when you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters prostitute themselves to their gods (elohim), your sons will prostitute themselves with them.
17 You shall make no molded gods (elohim or teraphim) for yourselves.
Unveiling Satan pages 167-169
By Yisrayl Hawkins