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Worthless Idols - Isaiah 44-48
Worthless Idols - Isaiah 44-48
Idols are strange things. Isaiah notes, disdainfully, that they are the mere work of craftsman. This, of course, refers to the visible, physical image. The image was not the 'god', but a visible representation. YET, the image of itself was worshiped and thought of as encompassing the very power of the god. At the same time, it could not speak, it could not move, it had to be nailed down in order to keep it from falling over. It had no knowledge, power, or glory.
The bigger question to me is how such worthless man made images could replace God in the thinking of men, particularly with Israel. As we develop a true picture of the very nature and character of the true and only God in these chapters,
In Romans 1, Paul outlined how such developed. They were unthankful. They refused to keep the knowledge of the true God in their thinking. They rejected any revelation about God (what they could clearly understand by observing the created universe), as well as any revelation FROM God (the word of God). They were thus without a true picture of holiness, righteousness, and godliness. They were thus without instructions on how to be holy, righteous, and godly. They elevated their ideas to be the guiding principles of life.
The early Christians faced the continued threat of false ideas of God. There were indeed many gods, but only One God. Many came out of such idolatry. Many struggled with friends and family that still held onto such false ideas of god. Their cities were filled with temples to the gods. The community life was filled with acknowledgment, worship, and sacrifices to the gods. They were thus warned that there was no middle ground: you can NOT serve God and idols. They were commanded to flee idolatry. (see 1 Corinthians!)
Since these 'gods' could not talk or reveal ideas, men attributed their own thoughts and ideas to the gods. Their own desires and lusts thus became the 'will of the gods'. Read again Romans 1 and see where such thoughts of men lead.
We would like to think that our generation is so much above such things, but all we have done is remove the visible representation. We are still left with worshiping 'things'. Even more subtle (or is it?), we are left with our own ideas and thoughts. WE have become our own 'gods'. We worship ourselves. Our choices become our gods.
We need to be still and learn that He is God. We are His creation, created to glorify Him. Our thoughts are not His thoughts, and our ways are not His ways (Isa. 55:8-9). We must put away our foolish idols of the heart and return to acknowledge and worship God. We must forsake OUR way and return by following His way (Isa. 55:6-7). Where have you gotten your concept of God?
Hugh DeLong
