Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the LORD is in his holy temple:
let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab 2:19-20
let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab 2:19-20
Like the rest of heathen nations, the Chaldeans trusted to their gods, but all hope from this quarter is cut off. Idols profit nothing; it is folly therefore to carve and honor them.
I. Idolatry is a system of lies. “A teacher of lies.”
1. The idol itself is a lie. It represents God as visible, finite, and dependent, whereas he is Infinite and Invisible. It contradicts the word of God and the nature of man; and represents carnal conceptions of truth and worship.
2. The teaching of the idol is a lie. In itself and by its priests it sustains delusions. Its oracle is the doctrine of vanities; it is a falsehood and a work of errors (Jer_10:8), leading men to trust in dumb idols, the work of their own hands (1Co_12:2). “We have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.”
“God’s omnipresence seems not sensuous;
Unless he be in us, we are not in him” [Bailey].
II. Idolatry is a system of impotence. Idols may be adorned and beautified, commended and honored, but they are only dumb nothings.
1. They are fashioned by man. Carved and encased with gold and silver, and yet neither breath, feeling, nor understanding. They are inferior to their maker, how then can they impart life and help to those who trust them? “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity” (Isa_44:9-10).
2. They respond not to the requests of man. Men cry “to the wood,” Awake, for our relief; “to the dumb stone,” Arise, deliver me, for thou art my God (Isa_44:17): but there is no answer. A god that cannot speak is nothing. The cries of man must be heard, the wants of man must be satisfied. Without a true response to the entreaties of man there is no religion. We cannot animate stocks and stones. Art and science may create and beautify gods; but this is labor in vain—will deceive, and nourish superstition. “They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.”
III. Idolatry is a system of vanity. When men have done all they can, displayed their skill and carved their image, God ridicules the result. Only wood and stone, base and inferior matter. That teach! Yes, though dumb it speaks of impotence, vanity, and folly.
1. What vanity to trust in a god of your own creation! If images are made by man, how can they have the being and authority of God? Why spend your energy in the service of that which will not profit? “’Tis mad idolatry,” says Shakespeare, “to make the service greater than the God.” “What profiteth the graven image?”
2. What folly to rely upon that which brings a curse! “Woe unto him that said to the wood, Awake.” Whatever is accounted a god, which is only a creature or a feigned thing, is a curse to man. It curses human nature by degrading it, and making men like brutes. It curses the world by bringing down the judgments of God. When men are determined not to retain God in their thoughts, but to exalt that which is below themselves to be in the place of God, they become brutish in their knowledge, vain in their imaginations, and alienated in their hearts. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections.” (Preacher's Homiletical)
Note: In this society today, you can see the evidence of Idol worship in every aspect of life. The world is saturated in idolatry. People lift up celebrities, music stars, sports, the list is endless. In religions, idolatry is entrenched in their own "celebrities", rituals, statues, candles, beads, and traditions-that Jesus rebuked when he faced them, and openly exposed them as white-washed tombs. The saturation of idolatry today in churches shows that what Jesus said, isn't heeded today, any more than it was then.
The pagans, and unbeliever's have their idols, and those who use Occult and witchcraft have their form of idolatry. Satan has his servants in the world, and in the churches.
The only thing that gives you a clear path to the truth, and who God is, and what He wants for worship-is in His word. The only people who will find the truth are those who are willing to pick up the bible and read it, and apply it to your life.
If you do, it will change you forever, but, don't expect the world's crowd to applaud you, or agree with you. You'll find yourself given the left foot of fellowship by many churches, and most of the pagans won't want the Light you've chosen to follow. But, when the gospel is preached and presented, each person will be given the choice to open their heart to Christ, or reject Him. The choice, is theirs.
Lorna Couillard
I. Idolatry is a system of lies. “A teacher of lies.”
1. The idol itself is a lie. It represents God as visible, finite, and dependent, whereas he is Infinite and Invisible. It contradicts the word of God and the nature of man; and represents carnal conceptions of truth and worship.
2. The teaching of the idol is a lie. In itself and by its priests it sustains delusions. Its oracle is the doctrine of vanities; it is a falsehood and a work of errors (Jer_10:8), leading men to trust in dumb idols, the work of their own hands (1Co_12:2). “We have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.”
“God’s omnipresence seems not sensuous;
Unless he be in us, we are not in him” [Bailey].
II. Idolatry is a system of impotence. Idols may be adorned and beautified, commended and honored, but they are only dumb nothings.
1. They are fashioned by man. Carved and encased with gold and silver, and yet neither breath, feeling, nor understanding. They are inferior to their maker, how then can they impart life and help to those who trust them? “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity” (Isa_44:9-10).
2. They respond not to the requests of man. Men cry “to the wood,” Awake, for our relief; “to the dumb stone,” Arise, deliver me, for thou art my God (Isa_44:17): but there is no answer. A god that cannot speak is nothing. The cries of man must be heard, the wants of man must be satisfied. Without a true response to the entreaties of man there is no religion. We cannot animate stocks and stones. Art and science may create and beautify gods; but this is labor in vain—will deceive, and nourish superstition. “They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.”
III. Idolatry is a system of vanity. When men have done all they can, displayed their skill and carved their image, God ridicules the result. Only wood and stone, base and inferior matter. That teach! Yes, though dumb it speaks of impotence, vanity, and folly.
1. What vanity to trust in a god of your own creation! If images are made by man, how can they have the being and authority of God? Why spend your energy in the service of that which will not profit? “’Tis mad idolatry,” says Shakespeare, “to make the service greater than the God.” “What profiteth the graven image?”
2. What folly to rely upon that which brings a curse! “Woe unto him that said to the wood, Awake.” Whatever is accounted a god, which is only a creature or a feigned thing, is a curse to man. It curses human nature by degrading it, and making men like brutes. It curses the world by bringing down the judgments of God. When men are determined not to retain God in their thoughts, but to exalt that which is below themselves to be in the place of God, they become brutish in their knowledge, vain in their imaginations, and alienated in their hearts. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections.” (Preacher's Homiletical)
Note: In this society today, you can see the evidence of Idol worship in every aspect of life. The world is saturated in idolatry. People lift up celebrities, music stars, sports, the list is endless. In religions, idolatry is entrenched in their own "celebrities", rituals, statues, candles, beads, and traditions-that Jesus rebuked when he faced them, and openly exposed them as white-washed tombs. The saturation of idolatry today in churches shows that what Jesus said, isn't heeded today, any more than it was then.
The pagans, and unbeliever's have their idols, and those who use Occult and witchcraft have their form of idolatry. Satan has his servants in the world, and in the churches.
The only thing that gives you a clear path to the truth, and who God is, and what He wants for worship-is in His word. The only people who will find the truth are those who are willing to pick up the bible and read it, and apply it to your life.
If you do, it will change you forever, but, don't expect the world's crowd to applaud you, or agree with you. You'll find yourself given the left foot of fellowship by many churches, and most of the pagans won't want the Light you've chosen to follow. But, when the gospel is preached and presented, each person will be given the choice to open their heart to Christ, or reject Him. The choice, is theirs.
Lorna Couillard
Reverent Silence
In holy contrast to idols, The Almighty is set forth in his dwelling-place and authority. None should dispute with him, but stand in awe before him. In the court-house of God “let all the earth keep silence.”
I. God resides in this court. “The Lord is in his holy temple.” The world is not empty space. A true and personal God exists; not like idols dwelling in temples made with hands, but revealing himself in the visible universe. In heaven by glory and honour, in earth by grace and goodness. “The Being whose centre is everywhere, but whose circumference is nowhere.” In every state and condition God is ever near. “The Lord is in his holy temple.”
II. God governs in this court. He dwells in his temple, and has not left the world to chance, inflexible law, or abstract powers. His throne is on high, and has neither been overturned nor vacated. He judges the world in righteousness, delivers his people in distress. and punishes the insolence of the wicked. He is not enshrined in gold and silver; “but our God is in the heavens,” reigning supreme over all the nations of the earth. He is the world’s great King, discerning and rewarding the works and ways of men. “The Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.”
III. God demands silence in his court. “Let all the earth keep silence.” If we are silent in courts of law, if all are reverent and solemn before an earthly judge, how should we stand before Almighty God!
1. Let sinners tremble at his judgments. He will strike idolaters dumb, convince the wicked of folly, and cover them with shame.
2. Let saints trust in his word. If perplexed, “hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand” (Zep_1:7). If afflicted, “be still, and know that I am God” (Psa_46:10). If weakened in faith, and disappointed in prayer, “Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near: let them speak” (Isa_41:1). “In speaking of God our best eloquence is silence,” says Hooker. “Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”
Note: It's to be clarified, this verse can also be referred to as the temple of our hearts- our inner sanctuary, where the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer. Take note of David's prayer to the Lord in Psalm 139-
Psa 139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Psa 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psa 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Psa 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Psa 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
When we come to the Lord in reverent prayer, and the Holy Spirit's presence engulfs us, our spirits will be drawn deeper into the inner court of our soul-we will find God there, waiting. It's here, communion develops and grows, dialogue becomes intimate and it's in this place many times, the Lord will communicate secrets that He doesn't share with everyone. As this relationship grows, you learn when to speak of these precious times, and when to keep them to yourself and Him-and how He wants you to make them a matter of silent prayer, sharing them with no one. I've seen many answers come over the years, in learning this. God gives secrets to people who know how to keep them secrets. Most of the time, I do not share what God speaks to me, unless the Holy Spirit has directly and specifically asked me to share something He's shown me. I've learned to value God's trust in me so much, I'd rather stay silent, than lose His trust.
It was very difficult for me to write the book The NightWatchman, it took a lot of prayer, and testing what God was telling me to do, because He made it clear, He wanted prophecies put into it that He'd given me over a long period of time, and some were still not fully proven, and events were still unfolding, I didn't want the label "false prophet" added to the other attacks that had already come my way-but God made Himself very clear, that He wanted them in the book. Today, I can see why, and time has proven the prophecies about the drones, and some other's in the book are now unfolding. However, my pattern of prayer and silence, remains the same.
May God use this post, as He wishes, for His glory.
Lorna Couillard
I. God resides in this court. “The Lord is in his holy temple.” The world is not empty space. A true and personal God exists; not like idols dwelling in temples made with hands, but revealing himself in the visible universe. In heaven by glory and honour, in earth by grace and goodness. “The Being whose centre is everywhere, but whose circumference is nowhere.” In every state and condition God is ever near. “The Lord is in his holy temple.”
II. God governs in this court. He dwells in his temple, and has not left the world to chance, inflexible law, or abstract powers. His throne is on high, and has neither been overturned nor vacated. He judges the world in righteousness, delivers his people in distress. and punishes the insolence of the wicked. He is not enshrined in gold and silver; “but our God is in the heavens,” reigning supreme over all the nations of the earth. He is the world’s great King, discerning and rewarding the works and ways of men. “The Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.”
III. God demands silence in his court. “Let all the earth keep silence.” If we are silent in courts of law, if all are reverent and solemn before an earthly judge, how should we stand before Almighty God!
1. Let sinners tremble at his judgments. He will strike idolaters dumb, convince the wicked of folly, and cover them with shame.
2. Let saints trust in his word. If perplexed, “hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand” (Zep_1:7). If afflicted, “be still, and know that I am God” (Psa_46:10). If weakened in faith, and disappointed in prayer, “Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near: let them speak” (Isa_41:1). “In speaking of God our best eloquence is silence,” says Hooker. “Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”
Note: It's to be clarified, this verse can also be referred to as the temple of our hearts- our inner sanctuary, where the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer. Take note of David's prayer to the Lord in Psalm 139-
Psa 139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Psa 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psa 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Psa 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Psa 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
When we come to the Lord in reverent prayer, and the Holy Spirit's presence engulfs us, our spirits will be drawn deeper into the inner court of our soul-we will find God there, waiting. It's here, communion develops and grows, dialogue becomes intimate and it's in this place many times, the Lord will communicate secrets that He doesn't share with everyone. As this relationship grows, you learn when to speak of these precious times, and when to keep them to yourself and Him-and how He wants you to make them a matter of silent prayer, sharing them with no one. I've seen many answers come over the years, in learning this. God gives secrets to people who know how to keep them secrets. Most of the time, I do not share what God speaks to me, unless the Holy Spirit has directly and specifically asked me to share something He's shown me. I've learned to value God's trust in me so much, I'd rather stay silent, than lose His trust.
It was very difficult for me to write the book The NightWatchman, it took a lot of prayer, and testing what God was telling me to do, because He made it clear, He wanted prophecies put into it that He'd given me over a long period of time, and some were still not fully proven, and events were still unfolding, I didn't want the label "false prophet" added to the other attacks that had already come my way-but God made Himself very clear, that He wanted them in the book. Today, I can see why, and time has proven the prophecies about the drones, and some other's in the book are now unfolding. However, my pattern of prayer and silence, remains the same.
May God use this post, as He wishes, for His glory.
Lorna Couillard
