Idolatry Is Foolish

Idolatry, for those who have seen the beauty and the truth of Christianity, seems like a foolish belief system, which can only take its faithful so far. To be honest…not that far, since it is a human understanding of deity which is false. It is interesting to read the following passage from the Old Testament (Wisdom of Solomon 13:10-19) where the foolishness of idolatry is highlighted.

Solomon continues praying:

10   Some people are miserable because they have set their hopes either on lifeless idols crafted in the shape of animals from gold and silver, or else on some old pieces of worthless stone. 11A woodcutter may saw down a small tree, then peel off the bark and skilfully make something worthwhile from the wood. 12Some of the leftover wood may be used for a cooking fire, 13while a crooked and knotty piece may be carefully carved into the shape of a human 14or of some useless animal, before being painted red to cover all its flaws.

15A special shelf is made on the wall, and the idol is fastened to the shelf with metal nails 16to keep it from falling, because the one who made it realizes that it is merely a helpless idol. 17Then—without shame—its maker prays to this lifeless idol for help with finances, marriage, or family. 18Its maker asks for good health from something weak, for life from something dead, for guidance from something without experience, for a safe journey from something that cannot walk, 19and for wealth and success from something that cannot move its hands.