God Does as He Pleases

There is no comparison between the living God of Israel and all other images, objects or people worshipped as God.  In contrast to idols designed, crafted and venerated by men, Psalm 115:3-8 says of the God who spoke all that is into existence:  "But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.
⁴  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ⁵ They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; ⁶ they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; ⁷ they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. ⁸ Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them."

People mocked the Jews because their God was not presented in the form of an image--something He plainly forbade them in the Law of Moses which were written upon tablets of stone by the finger of God.  Unlike idols that were molded or carved by the hands of man, God was able to do everything by Himself by the power of His word alone.  Images resembled human beings in that they shared features of anatomy, but the men created in the image of God had more ability than the useless objects they sanded and covered with precious metals.  They had eyes that could not see, ears that could not hear, noses that could not smell, hands that could not handle, feet that could not walk, and mouths that could not speak.  The Psalmist spoke the truth concerning all who trusted in idols:  those who craft or worship idols are like those images, powerless to know or do anything.

God commanded His people in Deuteronomy 7:25-26 what to do when they encountered idols of the people they defeated in battle:  "You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. ²⁶ Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing."  The Hebrews were to destroy any idols they found and to completely destroy them--without melting down the precious metals or salvaging anything of value.  Those heathen gods were accursed things that were to be utterly hated and detested as abominations to the LORD.  God warned those who brought idols into their homes would be doomed to destruction like those powerless idols before a holy, righteous God.

It is interesting that when God appeared on Mount Sinai, He did so shrouded in fire, smoke and lightning as the earth quaked under Him.  Fire was His garment and He was not consumed, for He is a consuming fire Himself.  God's word has made it clear those who make or worship idols are like them and are also accursed and doomed to destruction by the living God.  It is the fear of God that purifies us from the love of silver, gold and gain.  When God appeared on the mount in fire and the people were terrified, Exodus 20:20 says:  "And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."  The fear of God was a deterrent to idolatry, greed and covetousness for the children of Israel, and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom for us today.  Knowing God has redeemed us sinners who were doomed to destruction by His love for us compels us to demonstrate our love for Him by keeping Christ's commands.

What good does it do to cling to an image of silver and gold that is accursed and doomed to destruction?  May God's people heed the exhortation of Psalm 34:9:  "Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him."  Praise the LORD He is faithful to supply all our needs in this life and also provides the true riches that will endure forever in His presence.  Psalm 31:22-24 also says, "Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person."  The fear and love of the LORD beautifully harmonise in the lives of God's people who trust and obey Him, and He will be faithful to preserve us by His grace.  It pleased God to redeem lost sinners by grace through faith in Jesus, and may all Christ's redeemed live worthy of the Gospel.