Topical Bible: Idolatry: Unprofitable

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or the excessive reverence for created things over the Creator, is consistently portrayed in the Bible as unprofitable and futile. The Scriptures emphasize that idolatry leads to spiritual and moral decay, distancing individuals from the true God and His blessings.

The prophet Isaiah vividly describes the futility of idolatry, highlighting the absurdity of worshiping man-made objects. In Isaiah 44:9-10 , it is written: "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?" This passage underscores the emptiness of idol worship, as these idols cannot see, hear, or act on behalf of their worshipers.

Jeremiah also speaks to the unprofitability of idolatry, contrasting the living God with lifeless idols. In Jeremiah 10:5 , he states: "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, the prophet emphasizes that idols are powerless and incapable of providing any benefit or protection.

The New Testament continues this theme, warning believers against the dangers of idolatry. In 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 , the Apostle Paul writes: "Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons." Paul highlights that idolatry is not only unprofitable but also spiritually dangerous, as it involves communion with demonic forces rather than with God.

The unprofitability of idolatry is further illustrated in the account of the golden calf in Exodus 32. The Israelites, in Moses' absence, fashioned a calf from gold and worshiped it, leading to God's anger and judgment. This incident demonstrates how idolatry results in divine displeasure and the loss of God's favor.

Throughout the Bible, idolatry is depicted as a betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It is a turning away from the source of life and blessing to that which is lifeless and impotent. The prophets repeatedly call the people to repentance, urging them to abandon their idols and return to the Lord, who alone is worthy of worship and capable of providing true profit and fulfillment.

In summary, the Bible consistently portrays idolatry as unprofitable, emphasizing its futility and the spiritual peril it poses. The worship of idols is shown to be a departure from the truth and a rejection of the living God, leading to spiritual emptiness and divine judgment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 10:14
Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 46:7
They bear him on the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he stands; from his place shall he not remove: yes, one shall cry to him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Recognitions of Clement.
... Chapter XIII.--Invitation of the Gentiles. Chapter XIV.--Idols Unprofitable. Chapter
XV.--Folly of Idolatry. Chapter XVI.--God Alone a Fit Object of Worship. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/recognitions of clement /

The Clementine Homilies
... Chapter XI.--Immortality of the Soul. Chapter XII.--Idols Unprofitable. Chapter
XIII.--Arguments in Favour of Idolatry Answered. Chapter XIV.--Heathen Orgies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the clementine homilies/

On the Public Shows.
... Then, to say nothing of whatever idolatry more generally recommends, how idle are ...
How unprofitable a matter is all this; nay, how disgraceful and ignominious! ...
/.../on the public shows.htm

He Then Wonderfully Displays the Eternal Life, which is Christ, to ...
... the martyrs all for nought, the toils of the Apostles useless and unprofitable for
the ... gave an evil consent to Jehoiakim who led the way to idolatry, and were ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then wonderfully.htm

On the Invocation of Saints
... there is much danger lest those who invoke saints should fall into idolatry. ... with
humility but with the greatest truth, "We are unprofitable servants;" (Luke 17 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 24 on the invocation.htm

A Memorable History to Make Clearly Understood in what the Force ...
... by martyrdom, he miserably falls and breaks his neck, falling headlong into idolatry. ...
liberty, or lose an ounce of the most vain and unprofitable reputation or ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii a memorable history.htm

Ezekiel
... in her misery, is like the wood of the vine, unprofitable to begin ... her election,
Israel has been unfaithful, giving herself over to idolatry, immorality, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... should listen to us, while we call upon you to renounce your idolatry. ... These pretended
Gods, and their unprofitable service, the apostles called upon the men ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

"That which we have Seen and Heard, Declare we unto You, that Ye ...
... the gospel or word of life, that it is never unprofitable, nor unseasonable ... to wrestle
against the rebellion of men's hearts, and the idolatry and superstition ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon v that which we.htm

John xi. 49, 50
... it from the Jews, as a glorious garment from an unprofitable son, gave ... filled food
with transgression; therefore hath Paul called it "idolatry": ( Colossians 3 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxv john xi 49.htm