The Wind of Molten Images
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The phrase "The Wind of Molten Images" is not directly found in the Bible but can be understood through the lens of biblical themes and imagery related to idolatry and divine judgment. The concept draws from the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, where the prophets often used vivid imagery to convey God's disdain for idolatry and the futility of worshiping man-made gods.

Biblical Context

In the Bible, particularly in the prophetic books, wind is frequently used as a metaphor for God's judgment and the transient nature of human endeavors apart from God. For instance, in Jeremiah 10:14-15 , the prophet declares, "Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment, they will perish."

The "molten images" refer to idols crafted by human hands, often made of metal and worshiped by the surrounding nations. These images are described as lifeless and powerless, in stark contrast to the living God of Israel. The prophets consistently warned that reliance on such idols would lead to destruction and shame.

Theological Significance

The "wind" in this context symbolizes the breath of God, which can bring both life and destruction. In Isaiah 41:29 , the prophet states, "See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind." Here, the wind represents the emptiness and futility of idol worship, as well as the inevitable judgment that comes from God against those who turn away from Him.

The imagery of wind also evokes the idea of dispersion and scattering, as seen in Hosea 8:7 : "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." This passage underscores the principle that idolatry and rebellion against God lead to chaos and destruction, much like a whirlwind that scatters everything in its path.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets of Israel, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, frequently warned the people about the dangers of idolatry. They emphasized that the worship of molten images was not only futile but also provoked the righteous anger of God. In Ezekiel 6:4-6 , God declares, "Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will slay your people in front of your idols. I will lay the dead bodies of the Israelites in front of their idols, and I will scatter your bones around your altars."

These warnings served as a call to repentance, urging the people to turn back to the one true God and abandon their idolatrous practices. The prophets made it clear that God's judgment was imminent for those who persisted in worshiping false gods.

Application for Believers

For contemporary believers, the "Wind of Molten Images" serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of idolatry in all its forms. While modern idols may not be crafted from metal or stone, anything that takes precedence over God in one's life can become an idol. The biblical exhortation is to remain steadfast in faith, worshiping God alone and rejecting the empty promises of worldly idols.

In summary, the concept of "The Wind of Molten Images" encapsulates the biblical themes of idolatry, divine judgment, and the call to worship the living God. Through the prophetic imagery of wind and molten images, Scripture communicates the futility of idol worship and the necessity of wholehearted devotion to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 41:29
Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ahaz
... He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. ...
of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind." Isaiah 7 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 27 ahaz.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... and more the rulers of the ten tribes had been sowing the wind; now they ... left all
the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... creeds, So many paths that wind and wind, When just ... 34, "Thou shall make thee no
molten gods," was ... not against the public idols but against the private images. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

Of the Idols which the Gentiles Think to be Gods.
... was the artificer, but have thought that either fire, or wind, or the ... every artificer
is confounded by his graven images; because he hath molten a falsehood ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/59 of the idols which.htm

The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher. Translated from the ...
... Moreover the wind is obedient to God, and fire to the ... they have gone astray after
dead idols and lifeless images. ... of time, and when they are molten and crushed ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides the.htm

The Second Commandment
... What profiteth the graven image, the molten image, and a ... who do not provoke him with
their images, and will ... of God, is like Paul's cross wind, which, though it ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

Advantages of Revelation Above Natural Reason.
... Fire and hail, snow and vapour, wind and storm, fulfil his ... than is here set forth
in the strongest images and most ... "Who hath formed a god, or molten an image ...
/.../sect v advantages of revelation.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... rise in needle-like points perpendicularly to the sky; mountain paths wind upward,
cut ... thy graven images of silver, and the plating of thy molten images of gold ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... grief, written on a sarcophagus between the images of a ... The covers of these urns
were fastened with molten lead. ... are borne to our ears by the wind, to increase ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

part ii
... Imagine what we are: " A reed shaken with [the Devil's] wind." [731] The Devil ... Therefore
when, for instance, in church you look upon the images of God's saints ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Resources
What is the day of Pentecost? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Hebrew word ruach? | GotQuestions.org

Why are there times when God seems silent / absent in a believer's life? | GotQuestions.org

Wind: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

The Wind of False Doctrines

The Wind of Iniquity Which Leads to Destruction

The Wind of Molten Images

The Wind of Terrors Which Pursue the Soul

The Wind of the Life of Man

The Wind of the Operations of the Holy Spirit

The Wind of the Speeches of the Desperate

The Wind: (Bringing Forth) of Disappointed Expectations

The Wind: (Chaff or Stubble Before) of the Wicked

The Wind: (Feeding Upon) of Vain Hopes

The Wind: (Sowing) a Course of Sin

The Wind: (When Destructive) the Judgments of God

The Wind: (Without Rain) One Who Boasts of a False Gift

The Wind: Accomplishes the Purposes of God

The Wind: Drying Nature of

The Wind: East

The Wind: Euroclydon

The Wind: Frequently Brings Rain

The Wind: from the North Drives Away Rain

The Wind: God: Assuages

The Wind: God: Brings Forth, out of his Treasuries

The Wind: God: Changes

The Wind: God: Created

The Wind: God: Gathers, in his Hand

The Wind: God: Raises

The Wind: God: Restrains

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Calmed by Casting out Jonah

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Calmed by Christ

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Locusts Brought By

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Locusts Removed By

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Quails Brought By

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Raises on Account of Jonah

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Red Sea Divided By

The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Rocks and Mountains Rent By

The Wind: Movement of the Leaves of Trees By, Noticed

The Wind: North

The Wind: Often Blighting

The Wind: Purifying Nature of

The Wind: South

The Wind: Tempestuous: Destroys Houses

The Wind: Tempestuous: Drives About the Largest Ships

The Wind: Tempestuous: Raises the Sea in Waves

The Wind: The Simoom or Pestilential Wind

The Wind: The Whirlwind

The Wind: Theory of, Above Man's Comprehension

The Wind: Variable Nature of

The Wind: West

The Wind: when Violent Called: Fierce Wind

The Wind: when Violent Called: Great and Strong Wind

The Wind: when Violent Called: Mighty Wind

The Wind: when Violent Called: Rough Wind

The Wind: when Violent Called: Storm

The Wind: when Violent Called: Stormy Wind

The Wind: when Violent Called: Tempest

The Wind: when Violent Called: Windy Storm

Wind

Wind of Heresy

Wind of the Judgments of God

Wind of the Spirit

Wind: Blasting

Wind: East in Canaan

Wind: East in the Valley of the Euphrates River

Wind: East: At the City of Nineveh

Wind: East: Hot and Blasting in Egypt

Wind: East: Tempestuous in the Land of Uz

Wind: Figurative

Wind: North: Free from Humidity in Canaan

Wind: South: Purifying

Wind: South: Soothing

Wind: South: Tempestuous

Wind: West: Took Away the Plague of Locusts from the Land of Egypt

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The Wind of Iniquity Which Leads to Destruction
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