A few years ago, in one of the local shopping malls, a man of extraordinary skill and vision brought in a large section of a specially chosen log, and with patience and precision, he used his chain saw to carve out a remarkable resemblance of the legendary Coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, of football fame. The massive structure was truly breathtaking in its resemblance to Coach Bryant. Multitudes of awe-struck folks stood with mouth open and eyes glaring at the marvelous statue. The artist’s attention to minute detail and realism was uncanny! However, Alas! A little time and the normal wear and tear of aging took its toll, and the lovely work had to be removed. Big cracks began to emerge, and discoloration took place in numerous areas. As magnificent as the structure had been, there came a time when it had to be removed rather than become an embarrassment to the mall and the artisan.
The Old Testament abounds with God’s instructions regarding the numerous “idols” with which Israel seemed to be smitten. The Israelites made idols of wood, stone, metal, and many times of precious gems, gold and silver. No matter how professional the artisans were, the objects of their efforts were still “made with hands” and could neither speak, hear nor do anything at all. They were inanimate objects, made by human hands, and not worthy of any worship or adoration. Although the Jews were often found running from one idol to another, they were without excuse for so doing, because God’s instructions from the beginning were clear, concise and understandable! Stay away from idols! Look at the Old Testament injunctions against allegiance with any kind of idols!
Although these people sacrificed their gold, silver and precious stones for the production of manmade idols, God still lovingly tried to entreat them with His longsuffering wisdom. “Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” ( Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Jeremiah continued to exhort these fickle Jews. For the customs of the people are vain: “For one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good” (Jeremiah 10:3-5).
A careful study of the following Scriptures will reveal some clear teaching concerning idols, and how God views such: Exodus 34:17, Leviticus 26:1, Jeremiah 16:20 and Exodus 20:3. These Jews were not ignorant of these instructions because God had spoken clearly and concisely after leading the captives forth from Egyptian bondage. “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:3, 4). The same prohibitions apply to us, as well as to the idols of “pleasure, idleness, money, jobs, cars, time, family, recreation, disobedience, unthankfulnes, unkindness, ungodliness, stinginess and worldliness.” If these are in our lives to the exclusion of God, they have become our “idols.” Let us beware!
