The modern Christian fancies himself more “advanced” than the ancient people of the Bible, particularly when it comes to any talk of idol worship. An examination of the ten commandments hits home when he considers the mandate to make God first in his life, to honor his parents or to refrain from adultery. The second commandment, however, that prohibits the worship of manmade images seems entirely foreign. It’s like a holdover from an archaic culture. After all, how many people do you know that are paying homage to a household god?
However, the scene of someone bowing before a physical object is an oversimplified perspective. Mankind is tempted over all times and across all epochs to place his hope in a creation of their own hands. In the Old Testament, there were, in fact, evil powers behind the deified objects. In that regard ancient idol worship may be more “reasonable” than our present society who demonstrates allegiance to money, career, education, sex, power and “science” today. Regardless of the millennia, men and women exchange the glory of God for things made with human hands. “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:25).
It is against this sinful attitude that Habakkuk prophesied. He pronounced a curse against those that placed their trust in creation at the expense of the Creator.
What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. (Hab. 2:18–19)
One could just as easily substitute one of the items listed above. “What profit is a career when its maker has shaped it?” Or “For its maker trusts in his own power when he makes speechless idols!” When framed biblically, a trust in anything with human origins is nonsensical at any time in history.
If you have questions. If you have doubts. If you have concerns about what is going on in your life, no amount of these earthly things can provide hope. None of them can reconcile you with God. Instead of clamoring for earthly things, God provides the true answer and through the prophet Habakkuk.
But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. (Hab. 2:20)
Hope is found in meeting with the Creator of the universe. The Omnipotent God is seated on His throne of power and there is no other besides Him. He formed the light and created darkness. He makes well-being and creates calamity. He is YAHWEH who does all these things! (Is. 45:5-7)
Instead of making demands, our posture before God must be one of humility. Instead of insisting that He meet with you, you must go to Him in silence, waiting to hear what He has for you. You are to wait on Him.
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (Ps. 27:14)
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Is. 40:31)
He is not a forgetful God. You did not get lost in the queue. He knows what you need and He knows the desires of your heart. The command delivered by Habakkuk is as relevant today as it was the day it was delivered centuries ago. Do not place your hope in anything manufactured by a created being. God is prepared to respond to your needs. YAHWEH is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.