Idolatry has always been an issue for Jews, Greeks and Christians.
The Israelites use wood for fire, heat, and cooking from the remainder some made idols.
Isaiah is referring to the leftover wood at the start of this quote.
Isaiah 44:17-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB) "17 But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.” 18 They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend. 19 No one [a]recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then [b]I make the rest of it into an abomination, [c]I fall down before a block of wood!” 20 He [d]feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver [e]himself, nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”"
You say “I have not set up an idol of wood.” Have you set up an idol in your heart?
Ezekiel 14:4 (NASB) “Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols.”
Ezekiel 14:7 (NASB) “For anyone of the house of Israel or of the immigrants who stay in Israel who separates himself from Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me for himself, I the LORD will be brought to answer him in My own person.”
1 John 5:20-21 New American Standard Bible (NASB) “20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”
Exodus 20:4-6 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 4 “You shall not make for yourself [a]an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
NASB New American Standard Bible, Lockman Foundation
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