In today’s reading, the worthlessness of idols and the ignorance of idolatry stood out to me. Judah had, in disobedience to the Word of God, learned the ways of the nations (Deuteronomy 18:9, 12:29-31). Judah has given themselves over to the gods, that they as people, under the power of the LORD God, had overthrown when they came into the land centuries ago!
The Nature of An Idol
Notice how the Bible describes the worthlessness and ignorance of idols and idolatry.
Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk…” People who worship idols are stupid and foolish … The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. (Jeremiah 10:5, 8, 14–15, NLT)
Ouch! That is blunt! What darkness and delusion settles over a people, or a person, that worships anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ, that puts anything before God!
The Veil of Delusion and Darkness
Yet, is idolatry not rampant around the world today? Is not the world today still under darkness and blindness to the true God? Even in America, are we not rapidly throwing off our Christian roots and embracing the god of secularism? Yes! The devil is hard at work to protect the veil of delusion and darkness that he has so many under.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:3–5, KJV)
There Is An Answer
What is the answer to the vanity, ignorance, delusion, and darkness of idolatry? As believers in this, we can rejoice. Notice what Paul says…
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16, KJV)
Did not the power of God open your eyes, change your life, give you hope, and make you right with the only one true and living God? Did it not put purpose in your days, life in your moments, and give you power over sin? Did it not lift you out of despair, quench your soul’s thirst and hunger, and enliven you with His Spirit? Did it not bring peace to you with God, closeness to Him with fellowship, giving you a family and an inheritance? Yes! And there is certainly more we could mention.
Spread the Light
This is what the world, the gods of this world, and idolatry can never do. This is what needs to be unashamedly modeled and preached to the world. The world needs the Light of the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! Let us rejoice in our God and not be ashamed of the only one who is God!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 10-13.