Conclusion of The Vanity of Image Worship

The true God made all the living creatures on this earth, including man.  Sentient life is a wonderful testimony to Jehovah's Godship, but of course, everything that Jehovah created is inferior to him.  Is it possible that man can do better than  that?   Can he make something superior to himself-so superior that it is worthy of his devotion?  When a man makes an image, he gets tired, hungry, and thirsty.  These are human limitations, but at least they show that the man is alive.  The image he makes may look like a man.  It may even be beautiful.  But it is lifeless.  Images are in no way divine. Further, no carved image has ever 'fallen from heaven,' as if its source were anything more than mortal man. -Acts 19:35.

Isaiah proceeds to show that image makers are completely dependent on natural processes and materials that Jehovah created:  "There is one whose business is to cut down cedars; and he takes a certain species of tree, even a massive tree, and he lets it become strong for  himself among the trees of the forest.  He planted the laurel tree, and the pouring rain keeps making it get big.  And it has become something for man to keep a fire burning.  so he takes part of it that he may warm himself.  In fact he builds a fire and actually bakes bread.  he also works on a god to which he may bow down.  he has made it into a carved image, and he prostrates himself to it.  Half of it he actually burns  up in a fire. Upon half of it he roasts well the flesh that he eats, and he becomes satisfied. He also warms himself and says: 'Aha! I have warmed myself.  I have seen the firelight.' But the remainder of it he actually makes into a god himself, into his carved image.  He prostrates himself to it and bows down and prays to it and says: 'Deliver me, for you are my god.' " -Isaiah 44:14-17.  

Can an unburned piece of firewood deliver any body?  Of course not.  Only the true God can provide deliverance. How can people idolize inanimate things?  Isaiah shows that  the real problem lies in a person's heart.  "They have not come to know, nor do they understand, because their eyes have been besmeared  so as not to see,  their heart so as to have no insight. And no one recalls to his heart or has knowledge or understanding, saying: 'The half of it I have burned up in a fire, and upon its coals  I have also baked bread; I roast flesh and eat. But the rest of it shall I make into a mere detestable thing?  To the dried-out wood of a tree shall I  prostrate myself?  He is feeding on ashes.  his own heart that has been trifled with has led him astray. And he does not deliver his soul, nor does he  say:  'Is there not a falsehood in my right hand?" (Isaiah 44:18-20) Yes, imagining that idolatry can provide anything good spiritually is like eating ashes instead of nutritious food.


Idolatry really got its start in the heavens when the powerful spirit creature who became Satan coveted the worship due Jehovah alone.  So strong was Satan's desire  that  it alienated him from God. That was really the beginning of idolatry, since the apostle Paul said that covetousness is the same as idolatry.  (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:13-15, 17; Colossians 3:5) Satan induced the first human couple to entertain selfish thoughts. Eve coveted what Satan offered her:  "Your eyes are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad."  Jesus stated that covetousness issues from the heart.  (Genesis 3:5; Mark a7:20-23) Idolatry becomes possible when the hearts are corrupted.  How important, then, for all of us to 'safeguard our hearts,' never allowing anyone or anything to occupy Jehovah's rightful place there! -Proverbs 4:23; James 1:14.

Next time: Jehovah Appeals to Hearts

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001