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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Idols and Fav Scriptures

Yaaay we finished the book of Isaiah today! Annnnd we are close to the end of the 7th month of Chrono woohoo! :)

One of the topics I thought about during the readings in the past couple of weeks is idols...

In 2 Kings 16 (July 2nd reading), we read that Ahaz, king of Judah, visited the king of Assyria (who Ahaz was very afraid of) and noticed an alter used by the Assyrians to worship their god(s). Ahaz then proceeded to have a replica of this alter made in Judah because he thought to himself "Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me" 2 Chron 28:23. Ahaz forgot all about God :(

Isa 41:21-24 (July 13th reading) indicates that idols cannot tell us what is going to happen, they cannot do anything, but are utterly worthless and detestable. The narrator writes (July 12th reading) "God has a further purpose for Isaiah's prophesies: He wants to reveal what is about to happen so that, when it does, the people will know that it is God who is punishing them and God who will deliver them." Isa 48:5 states, "Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened... so that you could not say, 'My idols did them; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.'" It's so crazy to think that God brought about SOOOO many things, and we puny humans would give credit to little human-made objects rather than God.

Idolatry is the kind of sin that creeps into my life in ways I don't even notice sometimes; finding worth in my performance, thinking that a Porsche or husband will bring me security or happiness, believing I would be more confident if I was healthier or smarter, etc... trusting, hoping, relying, etc. on anything more than God.

That's all I have on idols :) I wanted to end with some of my fav scriptures from the last couple of weeks...

Isa 32:17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Isa 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

Isa 53 (alllll of it)

Isa 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isa 66:2 This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

Love ya!
:) Tera

1 comment:

Justin Seibel said...

Great stuff Tera. I have really enjoyed Isaiah too but ive been too busy to post. Yeah there is alot about idols in isaiah. You're right too I don't think we have them in the form of wood and metal (except an Oscar). Mostly they are things we work for or value more than god.