1. The curse when man puts his trust in idols.
2. The curse when man puts his trust in men.
3. In vain do men strive, when they do not trust God their works.
4. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
1. The curse when man puts his trust in idols.
“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.”
(Deuteronomy 7:25-26) “25 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.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Origin of idol worship.
The ambition of the artisan who makes idols and carved images.
(Wisdom 14:12-21) “12 For the idea of making idols was the beginning of fornication, and the invention of them was the corruption of life; 13 for they did not exist from the beginning, nor will they last forever. 14 For through human vanity they entered the world, and therefore their speedy end has been planned. 15 For a father, consumed with grief at an untimely bereavement, made an image of his child, who had been suddenly taken from him; he now honored as a god what was once a dead human being, and handed on to his dependents secret rites and initiations. 16 Then the ungodly custom, grown strong with time, was kept as a law, and at the command of monarchs carved images were worshiped. 17 When people could not honor monarchs in their presence, since they lived at a distance, they imagined their appearance far away, and made a visible image of the king whom they honored, so that by their zeal they might flatter the absent one as though present. 18 Then the ambition of the artisan impelled even those who did not know the king to intensify their worship. 19 For he, perhaps wishing to please his ruler, skillfully forced the likeness to take more beautiful form, 20 and the multitude, attracted by the charm of his work, now regarded as an object of worship the one whom shortly before they had honored as a human being. 21 And this became a hidden trap for humankind, because people, in bondage to misfortune or to royal authority, bestowed on objects of stone or wood the name that ought not to be shared.”
(Acts 19:23-29) “23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.”
(Wisdom 15:7-13) “7 A potter kneads the soft earth and laboriously molds each vessel for our service, fashioning out of the same clay both the vessels that serve clean uses and those for contrary uses, making all alike; but which shall be the use of each of them the worker in clay decides. 8 With misspent toil, these workers form a futile god from the same clay— these mortals who were made of earth a short time before and after a little while go to the earth from which all mortals are taken, when the time comes to return the souls that were borrowed. 9 But the workers are not concerned that mortals are destined to die or that their life is brief, but they compete with workers in gold and silver, and imitate workers in copper; and they count it a glorious thing to mold counterfeit gods. 10 Their heart is ashes, their hope is cheaper than dirt, and their lives are of less worth than clay, 11 because they failed to know the one who formed them and inspired them with active souls and breathed a living spirit into them. 12 But they considered our existence an idle game, and life a festival held for profit, for they say one must get money however one can, even by base means. 13 For these persons, more than all others, know that they sin when they make from earthy matter fragile vessels and carved images.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
“Lovers of evil things and fit for such objects of hope are those who either make or desire or worship them.”
“Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord,"
“For blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes.
But the idol made with hands is accursed, and so is the one who made it— he for having made it, and the perishable thing because it was named a god.”
(Wisdom 15:4-6) “4 For neither has the evil intent of human art misled us, nor the fruitless toil of painters, a figure stained with varied colors, 5 whose appearance arouses yearning in fools, so that they desire the lifeless form of a dead image. 6 Lovers of evil things and fit for such objects of hope are those who either make or desire or worship them.”
(Deuteronomy 27:15) “15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ “And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’”
(Wisdom 14:1-11) “1 Again, one preparing to sail and about to voyage over raging waves calls upon a piece of wood more fragile than the ship that carries him. 2 For it was desire for gain that planned that vessel, and wisdom was the artisan who built it; 3 but it is your providence, O Father, that steers its course, because you have given it a path in the sea, and a safe way through the waves, 4showing that you can save from every danger, so that even a person who lacks skill may put to sea. 5 It is your will that works of your wisdom should not be without effect; therefore people trust their lives even to the smallest piece of wood, and passing through the billows on a raft they come safely to land. 6 For even in the beginning, when arrogant giants were perishing, the hope of the world took refuge on a raft, and guided by your hand left to the world the seed of a new generation. 7 For blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes. 8 But the idol made with hands is accursed, and so is the one who made it— he for having made it, and the perishable thing because it was named a god. 9 For equally hateful to God are the ungodly and their ungodliness; 10 for what was done will be punished together with the one who did it. 11Therefore there will be a visitation also upon the heathen idols, because, though part of what God created, they became an abomination, snares for human souls and a trap for the feet of the foolish.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Never had to be made any image or idol for people to bow in adoration before them.
Those who trust worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.
"Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy"
“They shall be ashamed And also disgraced, all of them; They shall go in confusion together, Who are makers of idols”
(Psalm 97:7) “7 Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods.”
(Jonah 2:8) “8 “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.”
(Isaiah 42:17) “17 They shall be turned back, They shall be greatly ashamed, Who trust in carved images, Who say to the molded images, ‘You are our gods.’”
(Isaiah 44:9-11) Idolatry Is Foolishness
“9 Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit; They are their own witnesses; They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.
10 Who would form a god or mold an image That profits him nothing?
11 Surely all his companions would be ashamed; And the workmen, they are mere men. Let them all be gathered together, Let them stand up; Yet they shall fear, They shall be ashamed together.”
(Isaiah 45:16) “16 They shall be ashamed And also disgraced, all of them; They shall go in confusion together, Who are makers of idols.”
(Jeremiah 10:14-15) “14 Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image; For his molded image is falsehood, And there is no breath in them.
15 They are futile, a work of errors; In the time of their punishment they shall perish.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Warning.
“I will utter My judgments Against them concerning all their wickedness, Because they have forsaken Me, Burned incense to other gods, And worshiped the works of their own hands”
“But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.”
“They shall repay you for your lewdness, and you shall pay for your idolatrous sins.”
(Leviticus 26:30) “30 I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you.”
(Isaiah 57:10-13) “10 You are wearied in the length of your way; Yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; Therefore you were not grieved.
11 “And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, That you have lied And not remembered Me, Nor taken it to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me?
12 I will declare your righteousness And your works, For they will not profit you.
13 When you cry out, Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, And shall inherit My holy mountain.””
(Jeremiah 1:16) “16 I will utter My judgments Against them concerning all their wickedness, Because they have forsaken Me, Burned incense to other gods, And worshiped the works of their own hands.”
(Jeremiah 10:11) “11 Thus you shall say to them: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.””
(Ezekiel 6:4-6) “4 Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. 5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars. 6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.”
(Ezekiel 11:21) “21 But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.”
(Ezekiel 18:12-13) “12 If he has oppressed the poor and needy, Robbed by violence, Not restored the pledge, Lifted his eyes to the idols, Or committed abomination;
13 If he has exacted usury Or taken increase— Shall he then live? He shall not live! If he has done any of these abominations, He shall surely die; His blood shall be upon him.”
(Ezekiel 23:49) “49 They shall repay you for your lewdness, and you shall pay for your idolatrous sins. Then you shall know that I am the Lord God.’””
(Psalm 16:4) “4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.”
(Micah 5:9-13) “9 Your hand shall be lifted against your adversaries, And all your enemies shall be cut off.
10 “And it shall be in that day,” says the Lord, “That I will cut off your horses from your midst And destroy your chariots.
11 I will cut off the cities of your land And throw down all your strongholds.
12 I will cut off sorceries from your hand, And you shall have no soothsayers.
13 Your carved images I will also cut off, And your sacred pillars from your midst; You shall no more worship the work of your hands;”
(Zechariah 13:2) “2 “It shall be in that day,” says the Lord of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.”
(Revelation 9:20) “20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
2. The curse when man puts his trust in men.
In addition to rejecting and offending God man commits a grave sin taking counsel of men.
““Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;””
(2 Chronicles 16:12) “12 And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.”
(Isaiah 30:1) Futile Confidence in Egypt
“30 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;”
(Zephaniah 1:2-3, 6) The Great Day of the Lord
“2 “I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land,” Says the Lord;
3 “I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land,” Says the Lord.
6 Those who have turned back from following the Lord, And have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him.””
(Psalm 73:27) “27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.”
(Isaiah 31:1-3) The Folly of Not Trusting God
“31 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!
2 Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, And will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity.
3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together.”
(Isaiah 64:7) “7 And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The members of the ancient people rejected God by asking a king for themselves.
“And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them”.
(1 Samuel 8:4-7) “4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”
(1 Samuel 10:18-19) “18 and said to the children of Israel, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you.’ 19 But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.””
(1 Samuel 12:19) “19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.””
(Hosea 13:9-12) “9 “O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me.
10 I will be your King; Where is any other, That he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’?
11 I gave you a king in My anger, And took him away in My wrath.
12 “The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; His sin is stored up.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Where are the rulers of the nations, in which men trust?
(Proverbs 29:12, 16) “12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.”
(Baruch 3:16-19) “16 Where are the rulers of the nations, and those who lorded it over the animals on earth; 17 those who made sport of the birds of the air, and who hoarded up silver and gold in which people trust, and there is no end to their getting;18 those who schemed to get silver, and were anxious, but there is no trace of their works? 19 They have vanished and gone down to Hades, and others have arisen in their place.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The blessing is upon those men who put their trust in God and curse upon those who do not seek the help of God but of men.
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man”
(Deuteronomy 11:27-28) “27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.”
(Jeremiah 17:5-8) “5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
There are men who do not delight in blessing of God.
"As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him."
(Psalm 109:16-18) “16 Because he did not remember to show mercy, But persecuted the poor and needy man, That he might even slay the broken in heart.
17 As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him.
18 As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, So let it enter his body like water, And like oil into his bones.”
(1 Samuel 2:25) “25 If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
3. In vain do men strive, when they do not trust God their works.
(Psalm 33:16-17) “16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.”
(Psalm 127:1-2) Laboring and Prospering with the Lord
“127 Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
4. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.”
"do not become slaves of men"
(Psalm 118:8-9) “8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.”
(Psalm 146:3-4) “3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.”
(Micah 7:5) “5 Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom.”
(Jeremiah 9:4) “4 “Everyone take heed to his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; For every brother will utterly supplant, And every neighbor will walk with slanderers.”
(Isaiah 2:22) “22 Sever yourselves from such a man, Whose breath is in his nostrils; For of what account is he?”
(Psalm 108:12-13) “12 Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. 13 Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”
(1 Corinthians 7:23) “23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
God wants to participate in all the moments we live in, in all the events of our lives.
(Jeremiah 17:7) “7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.”
(Ben Sira 2:18) “18 Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, but not into the hands of mortals; for equal to his majesty is his mercy, and equal to his name are his works.”
God was, is and will be the only Savior, Helper, Leader and Counselor for man.
(Isaiah 51:12-13) “12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass?
13 And you forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?”
(Isaiah 45:21-22) “21 Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.
22 “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
The Road to Eternity 