There was a time when the level of violence all across the planet reached a point that resulted in decisive action. There are no statistics to tell us what the violence was or its daily frequency. The action, even though it was a death sentence on all flesh, was corrective. The sentence of death by flood affected only those who refused the refuge of the ark. A similar judgment came in the Israelite escape from Egypt. A sentence of death on all of Egypt’s firstborn with the notable exception of those who accepted the refuge of a blood-stained doorpost. This was a judgment we can put in the redemptive column. The thought that God might appreciate the works of human hands has always been on the minds of, at least, the practitioners of rituals and procedures, because that is the easiest way to grab a bit of the coveted spotlight on genuine glory. I am interested in how much glory can be found in a land full of idols and in a people who God has convicted of sleeping with all the gods of the nations of the known world.

Did God change his mind about idols?

If people ever thought that a tent and its functional furnishings were the hub of divine benefits they can be forgiven, but let us not be in denial about the value of the works of our hands. Genuine worship is not something the worshipper does to benefit himself. The worshippers’s professional activities and all his property are altogether a very small hill of beans. We understand that only what God prescribes passes for acceptable service (Deuteronomy 15:21). A prayer that has praise, thanks, testimony and idols is corrupt, and both Israelite and Philistine societies have found themselves trying to normalize corruption.

Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Malachi 1:14

The advice of Philistine priests and psychics

We always think we can create the right circumstance to bring on God’s smile. If only our society would turn on the axis of what God has said about the things we see as essential. Making an image of justice, blind and blindfolded, is artistic and eyecatching but even the bronze serpent that was instrumental in saving so many lives is a corrupting idol. Using idols to appease the God who abhors idols shows an unprecedented level of idolatry. Even the Philistines will have to answer for giving life to wood and stone.

So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land.

1 Samuel. 6:5

Even as late as Isaiah’s days God was still trying to wake people up to what it means to rely on him. Pulling the rug out from under ourselves is a decision we would hardly come to but it seems to be the only way to break our addiction to our own achievements and processes. Yahweh turns off the taps. People then and now believe their support systems or secure lifestyles – their bread and water – are connected ultimately with human actors. The terms support/stay and supply/staff (mishen and mishenah) sum up the totality of the human network. Yahweh reveals them to Isaiah as follows.

1. the mighty man (big shot, magnate)
2. the soldier
3. the judge (law enforcement)
4. the prophet
5. the diviner
6. and the elder (Isaiah. 3:2)
7. the captain of fifty
8. the man of rank
9. the counselor
10. the skillful magician
11. the expert in charms. (Isaiah. 3:3)

Here is God’s replacement for this fortune 500 pantheon, from the big shot with his influential empire to the naturalist healer or shaman and his charms. It is a full and complete revelation of human incapacity to maintain independence from the works of God’s hands or even declare independence from what he has said. Kids dishonouring their elders round out the picture of godlessness.

​And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. (Isaiah. 3:4) ​And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. (Isaiah. 3:5)

Handmade things include humans

Idols and images of any kind are across the tracks from God. Where we stand indivcates our choice.

For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And in the days to come evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands.”

Deuteronomy. 31:29

The prohibition of making objects – images of things in heaven or earth – is set aside for the tent and the temple.

All the wood and all the stone

All the symbols, all the enabled powers that be, are resisting the seating of the boys and the infants. When will the adults and elders man-up and recognize the empriness of both patriarchal and Mosaic tradition. Celebrating the greatness of law and covenant is itself idolatry. Nations claiming to possess the best set of laws is idolatry. We are certain that God did not dictate the constitutions of the nations as he did for Israel. A great set of laws does not guarantee life or even a sustainable lifestyle. Wood and stone surround and define the idolatry compound as well as the sacred tent. They also shine light on the stone or rock that provides life and security. The wood comes into full view as the instrument of execution and the destruction of the work of the adversary. Christ on the cross, naked and bleeding, exposes the emptiness of the temple – wood, stone, and precious metals.