Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'come to life!' or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it, but the LORD is in HIS holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him. (Habakkuk 2:18-20)
I've noticed that idols are now selling quite a bit on Amazon. Some for as little as $6 to as much as $5,499.00 with free shipping and handling. So what does God really say about these idols (and the ones in our hearts)? You shall not make or bow down to an idol is the better known verse. But I wanted to give the LIVING God the microphone and let HIM to do the talking because He speaks with unmatched clarity. Israel (God's chosen people struggled with idols--a sin that led to their demise over and over again). I just wanted to let the Maker of Heaven and Earth help us put a guardrail for our searching young people all around the world, especially during this time of year.
GOD
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. (Psalm 135:15-18)
Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel (and you young people). This is what the Lord says:
“Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.” No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear you, KING of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.
They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols. Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. What the craftsman and goldsmith have made is then dressed in blue and purple— all made by skilled workers. But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. “Tell them this: ‘These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.’” But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the people of his inheritance— the Lord Almighty is his name. (Jeremiah 10 1-16)
Stick with the LIVING God of the Christian Bible. He does actually, see, hear and speak through prayer!
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