God Will Cut Off The Graven Images

Micah “prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah” (Jer 26:18). He exhorted the children of Israel to prepare in times of trouble (v. 1). Their false prophets were sustaining their leaders who “hate the good, and love the evil” (Mic 3:2). God will severely chastise Israel because of her sins (v. 3), especially the sin of idolatry, by promising to cut off their “graven images.” The word “graven” means something that is fashioned or carved by hands and becomes an object of worship.

God strictly forbids such act (Ex 20:4). But since the early days, mankind has been trying to invent idols by changing “the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image” (Rom 1:23). Idolatry seems to be the weakness of Israel. During their wilderness wanderings, the people convinced Aaron to make them gods. So, Aaron collected their golden earrings and fashioned it with a graving tool, then “made it a molten calf” (Ex 32:4). Their actions were rooted in the fact that their hearts “are set on mischief” (Ex 32:22), and are turned away from the Lord (Jer 7:24). Anyone “that make a graven image are all of them vanity” (Isa 44:9)!

The Greeks in ancient history were known for seeking after wisdom (1 Cor 1:22), but they were corrupted by idolatry through their beliefs in mythology. We don’t need an image, an icon, or any kind of physical object to worship our true and living God (Heb 3:12). Because “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:24)! Genuine worship can only be found in a real and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus (Gal 2:16). Salvation results in the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9), developing within us the spirit of worship (Php 3:3). We must therefore resolve in our hearts not to allow any type of idols to take the place of God in our lives! God bless you!



-Pastor Melito Barrera