Very close idols

Some elders of Israel paid a visit to the prophet Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord. The Lord gave them a chilly reception. He told Ezekiel:

“Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart. …Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart … and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, that I may hold the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols” (Ezekiel 14:3–5, ESV).

When my husband and I read this passage this morning, we were arrested by the same detail: idols in the heart.

We were more familiar with the Old Testament passages condemning idols in “high places” and even idols in the Temple itself (Ezekiel 8). In Isaiah 44:9–20, we have our noses rubbed in the folly of the idolmaker who cuts down trees and carves the wood—then is silly enough to worship what his own two hands have made, deaf and dumb deities.

But what can an “idol in the heart” be, since we cannot very well take wood, silver, and gold into our bodies? We must broaden our search. My husband suggested that we each write down on a piece of paper three idols we find in our hearts.

As a matter of fact, while I was driving home a few days ago, I suddenly realized, or faced (for the two seemed to be the same thing) what my dominant idol is. I may disclose it to you in another column, but for now let me just say this about an idol: It is the thing your mind defaults to when you have nothing in particular to think about. It is the thing that colors all your day, though you barely know it, so ubiquitous has the wallpaper become. It is the thing you do not speak to others because it is so shameful. It is the thing you do not even articulate to yourself because it is unbearable to put it into human words.

When I noticed my main idol on that drive home, when I saw it square in the face, I realized that I have to put it to death. I, for the first time in my life, named the idol out loud and said I am releasing it. It was helpful to do that verbally. I know that I may well have to kill it a few more times before it’s fully dead, but I will do that. And now, especially hearing these words of God through Ezekiel, I am more determined. The last thing I want is to inquire at God’s throne and be given a chilly reception.

Andrée Seu Peterson’s Won’t Let You Go Unless You Bless Me, regularly $12.95, is now available from WORLD for only $5.95.