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The text we are looking at this time is ISAIAH 44 via-11 (though really the whole chapter). Up to this point in Isaiah, the Lord has been speaking about the process that Israel has been going through. You see, the history has been marked by hearing from God--following for awhile then falling away to chase idols which brought about God's chastening. The costuming took many forms but eventually ended up with the people being taken away and conquered until such a time as mercy and restoration occurred. The LORD in this place is speaking about the foolishness of idols. There are three main points about idol worship here. But before we can look at that, we have to put our typical western point of view spin here. Most of us in America (whether Christian or not) do not have idols about the house in the typical sense of the old testament. While there are some certainly, for the most part our houses don't have wooden or stone idols that we bough too. But an idol is basically something that we put our trust in to either bring us what we want or something we turn to when we didn't get what we wanted. Keeping that in mind, verse 9 points out the first characteristic of an idol--it is manufactured. The verse speaks of the idol that a man makes from a tree. Later on in the chapter Isaiah points out that a man cuts down a tree for cooking meet, making a fire to keep warm and then for making an idol to pray to. He points out how silly it is to worship something that you can make. If you make it, it hardly qualifies for a god. In fact, without knowing it to worship an idol that is man made puts man back on the throne of being a god. Now wood for fire is good, and wood for cooking is good. But then to make the rest of it into a god is silly. And in effect you put yourself back on the throne because you made the god.
The second point from v 9 and 10 deals with the apparent value of the idol, which is really worthless. The point being made is that some things look valuable until compared to what really matters. Think of the item you bought or received as a present that you wanted for so long...Yet later it either didn't measure up or something new came along that was better. Like a new car that just makes you so happy until you see the new models for the next year. The problem is that the value of the object is so subjective that it depends on what it is compared to. Or as little kids with some sneakiness will tell you, you often trade 3 shiny nickels for one old quarter...Until you learn the value of the objects. The same here applies. The Lord tells us that the value of the idol is nothing...It has eyes but cannot see; it has ears but cannot hear, and it has lips but does not speak. It is foolish to worship or pray to such a thing. So doubtlessly you are thinking "yep that's right..Idols are stupid." so what about us? Remember we turn to idols to meet our need or because we didn't like the way things were. So often we turn to work..Is work good? Yes for the Lord has said that a worker is worth his wages. But when we turn to work all the time because things are falling apart around us and at least at work we can control some things...It can be an idol. If we turn to work to get the things we want and thus put it first in our lives..It becomes an idol. Even good things like family and doing good things can become idols when they reach the point of being our center. Remember the fire and wood were good things. When used improperly they become the problem. If family is my sole focus in life, it's an idol. If I am afraid to speak truth (in love naturally) with my friend or family for fear of "hurting" their feelings or creating disunity, yet they continue to be unsaved...They have become an idol.
This bring us to the last thing about idols. Verse 11 says that both the idol makers and those that bow down will be shamed and terrified before the Lord. The shame and terror takes many forms. First we are displeasing God and while He is forgiving, He also makes it clear that He is God alone. In verse 8 He speaks of being alone the Rock. There is no other. Secondly there is all the wasted time and effort of worshipping something that can provide nothing to you. If you live for work, realize this...When you are gone, someone else will take your place. The job continues. Then there is the bitterness that comes from following after something that by it's nature can not and will not give you the needs and wants you may have. No matter how dress up your idol...It will never answer you. In the end your patience and faith (in the idol) will be left empty and bitter.
However, the opposite is true with the LORD. When our faith and worship is in HIM there is blessing. But sometimes we still don't get what we want. But that's the point...We are worshipping a God who can answer for Himself. The idols we create cannot answer at all. God says "let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet they will be washed as white as snow."
one final thought: Remember that there were God's people...Much like His church today. The question of idolatry doesn't end just because you are a Christian. It may in fact begin because you are a Christian and can begin to answer the question of ....Do I trust in God or do I trust in the things and situations that I can control...Thus my idols?
posted by Darol at 1:17 PM

 
I and II Chronicles tell the stories of the kings who either followed or didn't follow after God. Sadly, most of them did not follow after God "with their whole heart" as God instructed them. And when they did follow after them, so often their children did not when they became kings. The problems were many. First when the king did not follow after God, the whole country suffered. Now I won't get off into the responsibility of officials who lead their country. Instead I will focus on our own responsibility to our kingdoms. What is your kingdom? Ok a bit metaphoric but your home and family fall into this. No, you don't lord over them but you have responsibility to them. Even if you are the child and not the parent. Then there is the friends we have and people we work with. The responsibility of the king did not only exist when wearing the crown. The burden was there whether on the hunt, at war, or even at play. So it is with us. We have responsibility to follow after God with our whole hearts. I have only begun to search this out but for the kings in the old testament, this meant getting rid of the things that conflicted with worship to God. It meant getting rid of shrines, alters, anything that people worshipped instead of the LORD. So part of following with our whole heart must include rooting out anything that conflicts with worship of HIM. In fact, that sin was the sin that cost the people more than anything. Worship. Following after other gods cost them their lands, lives, families, and all other things. However, God was faithful in that HE told them that if they would ever turn from their ways and come back to HIM and worship HIM, He would forgive them their transgressions. He would restore them. That was what HE longed for. To have them worship HIM. That means that worship is an act of will. What we choose to worship is the most important decision we could ever make. And God allows us to make that choice. Certainly to not worship HIM carries consequences. Yet the choice is still there.
posted by Darol at 1:43 PM