Sunday 30th July
Read Habakkuk 2:18-20
“‘Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?
Or an image that teaches lies?
For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;
he makes idols that cannot speak.
19 Woe to him who says to wood, “Come to life!”
Or to lifeless stone, “Wake up!”
Can it give guidance?
It is covered with gold and silver;
there is no breath in it.’
20 The Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him.” (NIVUK)
We are far too sophisticated to make an idol, cover it in gold or silver, and ask that it guide us through the vicissitudes of life. Yet very often we do trust in ‘gold and silver’, imprinted with the face of the king, and make decisions accordingly. We are just as driven by greed as everyone else over the last three thousand years. Earthly solutions to earthly concerns.
Habakkuk begins with a shout, a complaint even, about the righteousness and goodness of God. How can God stand by and allow evil people to seemingly have their way? Noisy, aggressive idol-makers, driven by their own and their gods glory are trampling over peoples and nations everywhere. But God responds to this complaint and calls for His people to trust in Him. He is still seated above, in His holy temple (the heavens) and all the earth will eventually be silent before Him. Everyone, those who have faith and those who don’t. For His righteousness and goodness will eventually be revealed.
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) (NIVUK)
