Idol in Target

Here’s what this world is coming to or at least a picture of where it is going. Did you know that you can go to your local Target (if you have one) and purchase your very own personal Buddha Pillar Stand for the “low” price of $29.99? It’s true.

Just earlier today, I was walking through the candle section of Target and happen to notice this item. When I noticed it, I did a double take. For those of you who do not know what a double take is, it’s when you look at something and move on but something about that object makes you want to look at it again, so you do a double take. Got it? OK, good, that was a tough one. I was shocked, stunned, and surprised. Then I was shocked, stunned, and surprised that I was shocked, stunned, and surprised. While I was looking at this product in Target, I thought,

“Who is really going to buy this and put it in their home?”

“Why would they buy this and put it in their home?”  

“I wonder how many people know what they are buying; do they really know who Buddha is?” 

“Is this, seem-to-be-harmless, candle pillar stand/statue thing really something that 1) people are buying and 2) worth making a fuss about?”

My other random thought was, “Take a picture and blog about this” Hence the reason that this is now on my blog.

I know that I should not be surprised when I see yet another manifestation of false gods and idols in the secular world. But, it makes me aware, and causes me to think of the scriptures which tell us to put no other god before our God, for he is a jealous God - the one true God of the Universe – the Alpha and Omega – the author and finisher of our faith – King of kings and Lord of lords. God is God and there is no other like him – He is a holy, righteous, and just God.

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6)

“For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” (Psalms 96:4-5)

When asked which commandment is the most important of all, Jesus answered, "The most important (commandment) is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)

This leaves no room for idols.

So, without going on a tumultuous rampage of persuasive words on the reasons why this product is absurd, let me point to the scriptures which say, so directly and clearly, “little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)