A Collection of Idols
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Isaiah 57:3-13
3. But you, draw near hither, sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer and the harlot. 4. Of whom are you making sport? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and put out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit, 5. you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree; who slay your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? 6. Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they, are your lot; to them you have poured out a drink offering, you have brought a cereal offering. Shall I be appeased for these things? 7. Upon a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed, and thither you went up to offer sacrifice. 8. Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your symbol; for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a bargain for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness. 9. You journeyed to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol. 10. You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, "It is hopeless"; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint. 11. Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not give me a thought? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and so you do not fear me? 12. I will tell of your righteousness and your doings, but they will not help you. 13. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.
This scripture is more “negative” than those I am usually drawn to, but the message is so powerful, I just had to go with it! The people have really been giving Isaiah a hard time. He’s so angry and frustrated that in spite of his (and God’s) continual warnings they continue to be unfaithful. Verse 3 refers to spiritual adultery—worship of idols. In verse 5 the oaks referred to were considered sacred trees and it was not uncommon for people to sacrifice their own children to placate the gods under the oaks—Molech was one of gods to whom children (and other offerings) were sacrificed.
Isaiah is utterly exasperated, disgusted, angry and tired because of the lack of faith in the one true God his people have demonstrated. And even though those idols did not respond positively, even though the sacrifices seemed to be in vain, they did not turn back to God! They kept at it! Isaiah shares God’s wonder at how in the world they could be so blatantly rebellious and foolishly forget not only God’s promise for salvation, but also His wrath!
This scripture may seem a bit outdated and not too relative to our lives today, but I found a lot of parallels to modern life! While we don’t sacrifice our children, per se, and we don’t offer up grain and animals to lesser gods, we certainly often take the “easy way out!” We go to church, but we don’t contribute when the collection plate is passed around. We attend Sunday School, but we don’t show up to help with set up or break down of any activities. More importantly, we buy our children everything they see advertised on tv and we demonstrate that its okay to want and have it all because we buy the latest, greatest everything for ourselves, rather than investing in our future—financially and spiritually. We succumb to the values (or lack thereof) and to the morals (or absence thereof) that the media and the advertisers tell us are correct—or at least “okay.” We hedge our bet and hope for the best on judgment day!
I’ve shared with some folks who have known me for a while that if I had my way, we would not have a television at all. That sounds crazy, I know, but while the television itself is not bad, the garbage that is fed to our minds and our hearts and our souls certainly is. This most recent presidential election is a perfect example! I haven’t heard much about what is important to me: health care, education, and other important issues that impact not only our lives, but the future of our children and grandchildren! Instead we are fed a continuous diet of how the other candidate is a liar and every other kind of awful person. My contention is that if half of what either is saying about the other is true, we better find two other candidates. Are those two the best we can do? Has the country come the point where in order to win an election, the character of the opponent must not only be questioned, but defiled? Sorry – off the soapbox now!
But really, are we spending nearly as much time reading the bible, listening to Christian music, socializing with Christians who share our values and morals? Are we spending time in quiet prayer and reflection? Are we teaching our children what really matters—not only by what we tell them, but by the example we set? It may seem that there’s “no escape” but this scripture reminds us of the only one we need. “But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.”
I hope you spend today taking refuge in the one true God and start working toward the inheritance of His holy mountain.
Mary
