Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Nothing

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In the biblical context, idolatry refers to the worship of idols or images as gods, which is strictly prohibited in the Scriptures. The Bible frequently describes these objects of idolatry as "nothing," emphasizing their lack of power, life, and divinity. This portrayal serves to highlight the futility and folly of idol worship, contrasting the impotence of idols with the omnipotence of the one true God.

The prophet Isaiah vividly illustrates the emptiness of idols in Isaiah 44:9-10 : "Those who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?" Here, the prophet underscores the worthlessness of idols and the shame that comes upon those who create and worship them.

Jeremiah also speaks to the futility of idols in Jeremiah 10:5 : "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." This passage highlights the lifelessness and impotence of idols, likening them to inanimate objects that require human assistance to move.

The Apostle Paul, addressing the Corinthian church, reiterates this theme in 1 Corinthians 8:4 : "So about eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one." Paul affirms the nonexistence of idols as deities, reinforcing the monotheistic belief in the one true God.

In the Psalms, the psalmist declares the futility of idol worship in Psalm 115:4-8 : "Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. 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. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them." This passage poetically describes the sensory deficiencies of idols, emphasizing their inability to interact with the world or their worshippers.

The consistent biblical portrayal of idols as "nothing" serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of idolatry. It underscores the contrast between the living God, who is active and sovereign, and the lifeless idols, which are mere creations of human hands. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, calling believers to reject idolatry and to worship the one true God, who alone is worthy of praise and adoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 41:24
Behold, you are of nothing, and your work of nothing: an abomination is he that chooses you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 8:4
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Marcionites Depreciate the Creation, Which, However, is a ...
... Book I. Wherein is described the god of Marcion. ... of the crowd, inspired by the common
idolatry, when ashamed ... to the interpretation of natural objects, and so ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiii the marcionites depreciate the.htm

On Idolatry
... gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... of God concerning that species of idolatry
which is ... execution of these threats, are described generally throughout ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

What Carey did for Literature and for Humanity
... no unfair means of rendering even idolatry detestable," but he ... class who had been
the special objects of Christ's ... of a leper, which he thus described:""A pit ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xi what carey did.htm

Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... See a man who saw described the smoke, the fire, the ... His tribunal in the heart: and,
while idolatry presents its ... those very truths which are the objects of our ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/saurin paul before felix.htm

CHAPTER III.
... With regard to the other two objects mentioned in ... The Lord makes them disgusted with
idolatry, and all ... as the Song of Solomon had already described so minutely ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

The People among whom we Labour (Continued).
... I have stated the arguments by which that idolatry is defended ... it is fitting that
to these objects special honour ... In books the Sudras are described as the fourth ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xxix the people among.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... The result is told us: the interview is carefully described. ... He saw a "city wholly
given to idolatry." How did ... side by side; let the same objects be presented ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... how aid is implored from dead and senseless objects, by beings ... pretexts in defence
of the execrable idolatry in which ... in the very way which has been described. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

Titus ii. 14-Nov
... well be such as I have described, seeing their ... worldly lusts, and covetousness, and
this he names idolatry. ... there is no comparison between the objects of our ...
/.../homily v titus ii 14-nov.htm

The Harbinger
... The shocking effect of their idolatry upon their moral ... attainments in arts and science,
is described by the ... they are possessed of and the vast objects they aim ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ii the harbinger.htm