Habakkuk 2:18

Habakkuk, like other prophets, saw through the folly of idolatry and exposed it (cf. Isaiah 41:7; Isaiah 44:9-20; Isaiah 45:16; Isaiah 45:20; Isaiah 46:1-2; Isaiah 46:6-7; Jeremiah 10:8-16). An idol carved by human hands cannot help its maker because anyone who creates is always greater than his creation. Images really become teachers of falsehood since their existence implies a lie, namely, that they can help humans. An idol-carver trusts his own handiwork by making it. Idols cannot even speak much less provide help (cf. Romans 1:22-25).

"Modern people in their sophistications may regard themselves as free from the obvious folly of idolatry. What educated, self-respecting person would be deluded into expecting special powers to emanate from the form of an antiquated Idol? Yet the new covenant Scriptures make it plain that covetousness is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5). Whenever a person’s desire looks to the creature rather than the Creator, he is guilty of the same kind of foolishness. An insatiable desire for things not rightly possessed assumes that things can satisfy rather than God himself. Whenever a person sets his priorities on the things made rather than on the Maker of things, he is guilty of idolatry." [Note: Robertson, p. 209.]

"Famous people are the ’idols’ of millions, especially politicians, athletes, wealthy tycoons, and actors and actresses. Even dead entertainers like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Elvis Presley still have their followers. People may also worship and serve man-made things like cars, houses, boats, jewelry, and art. While all of us appreciate beautiful and useful things, it’s one thing to own them and quite something else to be owned by them. Albert Schweitzer said, ’Anything you have that you cannot give away, you do not really own; it owns you.’ I’ve met people who so idolize their children and grandchildren that they refused to let them consider giving their lives for Christian service.

"Social position can be an idol and so can vocation achievement. For some people, their god is their appetite (Philippians 3:19; Romans 16:18); and they live only to experience carnal pleasures [including following their favorite sports?]. Intellectual ability can be a terrible idol (2 Corinthians 10:5) as people worship their IQ and refuse to submit to God’s Word." [Note: Wiersbe, p. 418.]