|
To assist one in understanding, meditate on verse 18 of Habakkuk Chapter 2. What does it mean when it says: "…when the former of its form has trusted in it"? It means that those who are the originators, the promoters, and those who display, "a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power", are unGodly hypocrites. (2 Tim 3:5). Offensive images are only a part of their deceptions. Their foremost deception is the rules by which such images are to be worshipped, rules that are instituted through the commandments of men. (See Isaiah 29:13). |
"Woe to the one giving his companions something to drink, attaching to it your rage and anger, in order to make [them] drunk, for the purpose of looking upon their parts of shame. You will certainly be satiated with dishonour instead of glory. Drink also, you yourself, and be considered uncircumcised. The cup of the right hand of Jehovah will come around to you, and there will be disgrace upon your glory; because the violence [done] to Lebanon is what will cover you, and the rapacity upon [the] beasts that terrifies them, because of the shedding of blood of mankind and the violence [done] to the earth, the town and all those dwelling in it. Of what benefit has a carved image been, when the former of it has carved it, a molten statue, and an instructor in falsehood? when the former of its form has trusted in it, to the extent of making valueless gods that are speechless? Woe to the one saying to the piece of wood: "O do awake!" to a dumb stone: "O wake up! It itself will give instruction"! Look! It is sheathed in gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But Jehovah is in His holy temple. Keep silence before Him, all the earth!" (Hab 2:15-20). |
|
|
ONE SECTARIAN EXAMPLE: |
Imagine your own father or brother being violently taken and then impaled. Would you thereafter cherish a continual reminder of this, as is the case in the public display of the form shown left? Do you not know that these forms are also "valueless gods that are speechless"? (2:18). Do such wearers know and truly obey the said Will of God themselves? No. Indeed, many murderers and potential killers (military forces) have been known to wear this particular form or image, and there are many other forms. This is just another example of the spirit aspect of this Godless world; contributing to the ongoing violence in Lebanon, to their people, and by their people. Evidence of the source of this guilt, carried on throughout the earth, can be seen on Page 877A and 877B of the "Little Scroll". |
|
