Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Helpless

◄ Idolatry: Objects of Described as Helpless ►

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or images as divine, is a recurring theme in the Bible, consistently condemned as a deviation from the worship of the one true God. Throughout Scripture, idols are depicted as powerless and ineffectual, unable to act or intervene in the lives of their worshipers. This portrayal underscores the futility of idolatry and the superiority of the God of Israel.

In the book of Psalms, the psalmist vividly describes the impotence of idols: "They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot utter a sound with their throats" (Psalm 115:5-7). This passage highlights the stark contrast between the living God and lifeless idols, emphasizing their inability to perceive or respond to human needs.

The prophet Isaiah also addresses the helplessness of idols, mocking their lack of power and the absurdity of idol worship. In Isaiah 44:9-20, the prophet describes the process of crafting an idol from wood, noting the irony that the same material is used for mundane purposes like kindling a fire. Isaiah declares, "No one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, 'I burned half of it in the fire, and I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?'" (Isaiah 44:19). This rhetorical question underscores the irrationality of attributing divine power to a mere object.

Jeremiah, another prophet, echoes this sentiment, pointing out the futility of idol worship. He writes, "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" (Jeremiah 10:5). Here, idols are likened to scarecrows, lifeless figures that are incapable of action, whether beneficial or harmful.

The New Testament continues this theme, with the Apostle Paul addressing the issue of idolatry in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 8:4, Paul states, "We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one" . This assertion reinforces the idea that idols hold no real existence or power, and that only the one true God is worthy of worship.

Throughout the Bible, the depiction of idols as helpless objects serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of idolatry. These passages call believers to reject the worship of false gods and to place their trust solely in the living God, who alone possesses the power to hear, see, and act on behalf of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 10:5
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Over the Mountains. "My Beloved is Mine, and I am His: He Feedeth ...
... This sorrow is described in the text as darkness ... and mountains of sin, and error,
and idolatry, and superstition ... But someone objects, "I am so unworthy of Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/over the mountains my beloved is.htm

Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus.
... no doubt, was one of the objects which Caiaphas ... The former is described as an individual
who privately seduces private individuals into idolatry (Sanh ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii thursday night -.htm

Homiletical.
... and another of darkness that He described Himself as ... for the slaughter of their brethren,
to punish idolatry. ... the pettiness of the common objects of human ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

Colossians iii. 17
... better signified by the term idolatry; a reverence ... It is invidiously described as
maintaining "the sufficiency ... their proper field and objects, which, whenever ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

The Era of Persecution
... to retain their traditional forms and objects of worship ... statue of the emperor was
wicked idolatry and entailed ... be a repetition of the horrors described above. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iii the era of persecution.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... accomplished only by the sacrifice of all objects of desire ... great souls who are not
to be described by the ... prophets laid the disaster to the idolatry or other ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... when in the Old Testament God is described as requiring ... took their place on earth
as the objects of worship ... This god was so weak and helpless that he could not ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... &c., and such a man as has been described before ... he preached this sermon, were there,
as objects of the ... Flee youthful lusts," "Flee from idolatry;" and, "Little ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... and such a man as has been described before ... while he preached this sermon, were there,
as objects of the ... 1 Corinthians 6:18), flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... attributes are such as they are described, while, if ... sense, from the beauty of the
objects of contemplation ... by reason of the prevalence of idolatry, and making ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm