Idolatry Revealed

Then this message came to Zechariah from the LORD: “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other. “Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the LORD of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them. [Zechariah 7.8-12]

Why was God angry with His people?

Up until this passage of scripture, I thought it was because of their gross idolatry! But this passage seems to indicate a different reason, doesn't it?

But does it?

Think this through. What happens when people trust in idols instead of God? Well, for starters, needs are not met because idols are really no gods at all and as such are incapable of sustaining people in anything! Because of this fact, it becomes necessary for people 'trusting in idols' to look out for themselves (see where this is going?). People tasked with having to look out for themselves will naturally ignore the needs of others. They fail to "judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another."

Stay with me...

So, idol worship in an individual or a nation can be identified by the failure of that person or nation to effectively care for others in fair judgment and showing mercy and kindness. This can also be evident in the Church. When people's focus becomes self instead of others, idolatry has commenced.

Jesus both demonstrated and declared:

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]

Idolatry has been revealed! An idol is anything that panders to my interest in myself instead of others (in service to God). Trusting in an idol is essentially trusting in man (including myself) and not God for things essential to life. This self/man-trust (because every idol is made my someone) indicates I am not trusting God alone. If I must therefore be focused on sustaining myself, then I can in no sense of the word be wholly devoted to God and the needs of others (which demonstrates God-love). My devotion to God/others is tainted by any degree of self-sustenance.

Father, help us to reckon with our selfishness - our idolatry.