“What good is an idol carved by man, or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk! What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside. [Habakkuk 2.18-19]
How foolish to trust in your own creation...
Wow, what has man created that he trusts in? I mean, we don't have temples or shrines with idols in them today, do we?
Or, do we?
Let's consider the sin here more so than the instruments of sin, but before we do, let's at least discuss the instruments of sin - the idols. Idols are all simply objects of man's creation and design that have no life in and of themselves.
The sin then is trusting in these idols - these lifeless items of man's creation and design. Why is this a sin? Because these objects are of man's creation and design, they have no life in and of themselves- their power is found only in their designer and creator. Their 'will' is only to serve the purpose of their designer and creator. Do you see yet where this is a problem?
Any design is only as good as its designer. If man designs something, that thing is only capable of mortal man's design. Furthermore, that design can serve no greater purpose than that of the man who designed it. How could it exceed that limitation?
The problem with this is found in trusting naturally self-oriented man to take care of man. Because man is naturally and hopelessly subject to 'preference,' there is absolutely no way man can be objective toward mankind. So, no matter how brilliant the design of man may be, it is severely limited to the preference of the man (or men) who designed and created it.
While the statements above may not seem such a big deal in casting a metal image or carving a piece of wood in ancient times, we should consider how this translates into the 21st century. Medicine and technology come to my mind when considering modern design and creation of man. And, medicine and technology significantly stand out when considering the sin of "man trusting in his own creation" (consider current admonishments to "trust the vaccine").
Furthermore, in recent times, we see an unusual union between medicine and technology. Is it not just a tad bit alarming that technology gurus are promoting medicine? Is it not likewise alarming that technology has benefitted greatly from medicine's social mandates?
For the best understanding of what is taking place with idols, we only need to consider a circumstance encountered by the Apostle Paul:
About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows: “Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her great prestige!” [Acts 19.23-27]
You see, Demetrius' 'preference' of making money surfaced as his first priority when Paul preached against idols. Demetrius first mentioned wealth, but only afterwards recovered to point out his concern for the "great goddess Artemis."
Dear reader, I am deeply disturbed that modern medicine and technology are being completely undetected in conspicuously repeating Demetrius' self-orientation!
I will remind us all here that God said HE is our Righteousness, our Sanctifier, our Peace, our Present God with us, our Shepherd, and our Banner. God said HE is our Forgiver and that HE Advocates for us. God said He is our Refuge and our Strength. God said HE is our Defender and HE Protects us. God said HE is our Fortress and our Shield.
I challenge every reader here to do a personal survey: how many of the titles above do you trust the design, methods, and medicine of man for?
Yeah, but... Yeah, but nothing. It is inexcusable for us to trust anything or anyone besides Almighty God (and Him alone) for that which He said He would supply.
The litmus test for what we trust in is seen in what we think of first when we encounter need. Is it medicine? Insurance? Money? Knowledge?
Father, may Your people (including myself) wake up from their faithless slumber of powerless existence on earth. May the glory for our existence be entirely Yours and shared with nothing or no one else. Forgive me for my faithlessness to You.
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