Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Gods That Cannot Save

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Idolatry, a recurring theme throughout the Bible, is the worship of idols or images as gods. These objects, often crafted by human hands, are described in Scripture as powerless and incapable of providing salvation or deliverance. The Bible consistently portrays idolatry as a grave sin, leading people away from the worship of the one true God.

Biblical Descriptions of Idols

The Bible frequently emphasizes the futility of idol worship. In Isaiah 44:9-10 , it is written: "Those who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which can profit him nothing?" This passage highlights the emptiness and vanity of creating and worshiping idols.

Jeremiah 10:5 further illustrates the impotence of idols: "Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good." Here, idols are compared to lifeless scarecrows, emphasizing their inability to act or intervene in human affairs.

Idols as Objects That Cannot Save

The Bible explicitly states that idols cannot save those who worship them. In Isaiah 45:20 , the prophet calls out to the nations: "Gather together and come; draw near, you fugitives of the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save." This verse underscores the ignorance of relying on idols for salvation, as they possess no power to rescue or redeem.

Psalm 115:4-8 provides a vivid description of the ineffectiveness of idols: "Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear; noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel; feet, but cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them." This passage not only highlights the lifelessness of idols but also warns that those who trust in them become spiritually dead and senseless.

The Call to Worship the True God

Throughout Scripture, the call to abandon idols and worship the true God is clear. In 1 Kings 18:21 , the prophet Elijah challenges the people of Israel: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him." This call to decision underscores the necessity of choosing the living God over lifeless idols.

The New Testament echoes this call, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:9 : "For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God." The early Christians are commended for turning away from idols to serve the one true God, demonstrating the transformative power of genuine faith.

Conclusion

The Bible's portrayal of idols as objects that cannot save serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of idolatry. Through vivid imagery and direct admonitions, Scripture calls believers to reject idols and place their trust in the living God, who alone has the power to save and deliver.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 45:20
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray to a god that cannot save.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... of Jehovah, to take the gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... that she is
guilty of the crime of the two-fold idolatry which has now been described. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The So-Called Letter to Diognetus
... The Stupidity of Idolatry. ... latter think that they are offering something to objects
which in ... In the rite of baptism described in Hippolytus' Apostolic Tradition ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the so-called letter to diognetus.htm

A Jealous God
... In Ezekiel we find the false god described as "the image ... other, but when we carry
love to idolatry, and put ... persons who continue to live for objects other than ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

The Universal Chorus
... suited to affect the imagination by sensible objects. ... Christians are sufficiently
distinguished and described by saying ... are not afraid of idolatry when they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon l the universal chorus.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... The result is told us: the interview is carefully described. ... stand side by side;
let the same objects be presented ... That he exposed the folly of idolatry to the ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
... 9. The various developments of idolatry: worship of ... heavenly bodies, the elements,
natural objects, fabulous creatures ... the victory over death described above: (2 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/

The Preface to the Commandments
... [2] God is described by his relative ... Why is it that we are prone to idolatry? Because
we are led much by visible objects, and love to have our senses pleased. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint.
... For it was full of idolatry, and was a house of demons, through ... Many objects of
happiness are left,. ... Already, then, the ??gis of the poetic Jove is described as. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xx the true gnostic exercises.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... but even divine, taking refuge in the objects of his ... punished covetousness, which
is a second idolatry; but he ... and practices are too shameful to be described. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that it was not Right to ...
... reward of your choice, therefore, as described by Sophocles ... evil one, and prefer
wisdom to idolatry, and take ... lest the multitude of pleasing objects which rise ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter x answer to the objection.htm