Deaf and Dumb

For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak Habakkuk 2:18

Cannot Speak – What would it take to convince you that idols cannot speak? Oh, did you think that you already knew this? Did you think that your life was not governed by speechless idols? Then try this on for size:

Money talks.

Is that not an admission of our hopeless idolatry? How is it any different than the ancient belief that a wood carving influenced my life?

My horoscope predicts . .

Really? Since when did Saturn or Jupiter issue a verbal proclamation? But we trust these celestial bodies for direction, don’t we?

The market indicators all say . . .

Funny, I didn’t hear the DOW offering any advice. But we all want to know the future, so we listen to the numbers.

The point behind the Hebrew word ‘illem is simple. God speaks. Taking advice from any other source is folly. None of our substitute gods can utter a single word – in spite of the fact that we act as though they can. Even our linguistic metaphors make speaking idols of the things we most desire. Money, purpose and prognostication are all portrayed as though they have something to say. God has something to say about that, but we often choose not to listen.

Don’t tell me that you aren’t an idol worshipper if you are listening to this silent speech? Don’t tell me that you serve the one true God when you trade obedience for a romantic feeling, an exotic car or a title on the door. God speaks. The rest is the worst kind of foolishness. When will you stop being a worshipper at the feet of something you created? When will you begin to listen and obey the only One in the universe Who creates by speaking? God speaks, but who do you listen to?