Back to Idols

(Pre-requisite for reading this is to read post of April 22, 2008)

Can our modern-day idols really do anything for us? Anything that that amounts to anything good?

Our jobs, I suppose, do some good - we provide for our families. But then, are we not putting family before God if all what we mostly think about is making a living?

(Folks, this line of thought is surprising me too. It is not coming from my own wisdom.)

Ephesians 4:28 says “Let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.” You see, the purpose of work is to give.

God’s written Word is our guide. We need to read it - not go by what we think it says.

Back to idols - God sounds a lot like a lawyer in Isaiah 41:21-22:

“Present you case,” says the Lord
“Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob.
“Let them [idols] bring forth and show us what will happen;
Let them show the former things, what they were,
That we may consider them
And know the latter end of them;
Or declare to us things to come.

Let’s stop there and consider what God is saying.

He is saying that idols - man-made things and ideas - cannot come close to giving us the insight and wisdom that the living Word of God can.

They cannot tell us why things happened in the past and what the outcome will be. They cannot tell what is to come as the Spirit of truth can:

“He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak to you of his own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." John 16:13

Idols cannot prophesy. (Maybe, "prophe-lie" as Pastor is fond of saying.)

These age-old thoughts certainly sound contrary to some new-age philosophies. such as the "The Power of Now." I have not read any of Tolle Eckhart so I am admittedly pre-judging.

Just beware, reader, that one man’s packaged deal does not become your idol.

Beware that one woman - such as Oprah, first with "The Secret" and now with "A New Earth" - does not replace God, or even coexist with Him, as your source of wisdom, worthy of your praise and worship.

Remember, God said, “For I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”
Is God jealous of Oprah?! (More about God’s jealousy another time.)

Continuing with Isaiah speaking and writing for God, He challenges idols:

Show the things to come hereafter
That we may know you are gods
Yes do good or do evil, [Do something, anything!]
That we may be dismayed and see it together*
Indeed you are nothing,
He who chooses you is an abomination.
Isaiah 41:23-24
* - That makes us stare, amazed. (The Living Bible)

Sorry, Oprah, but God is pretty clear about not wanting to share the stage.

These things need to be said, people. It's not all about: Be nice to your neighbor. Let's put the First Commandment first.

Click on "# comments" below to give your input,good, bad or ugly.

Yours truly,
Elizabeth