Psalm 135:16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; 17 they have ears, but they do not hear, and there is no breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them and all who trust them shall become like them.

Idols (man-made objects that were worshipped) were everywhere in the ancient world. One of the distinctive traits of Yahweh was a lack of physical representation, a result of the commandment “you shall make no graven images/idols”. Yet worship of idols was never eradicated, even among the Israelites.

The verses above are intended to mock the worship of idols. They are dead things that serve only to spread death to those who make them and worship them, for unlike Yahweh they cannot give or sustain life.

My mind naturally goes to the ways I try to find life from dead things – material objects, recognition from other people, physical pleasures. Idols are very much still with us dear brothers and sisters. And people of faith are still drawn to them. Dearest Lord teach us to seek you with all our hearts, for in you alone is life eternal. Amen.