“These false idols cannot
Set up a king
Over a country.
They cannot
Give rain
To people.
They cannot
Judge
Their own cause.
They cannot
Deliver anyone
Who is wronged.
They have no power.
They are like crows
Between heaven and earth.
When fire breaks out
In a temple
Of wooden gods,
Overlaid with gold
Or silver,
Their priests will flee.
They will escape.
But the gods
Will be burned up
Like timbers.
Besides,
They can offer
No resistance
To a king
Or any enemies.
Why then must
Anyone admit
Or think
That they are gods?”
This author maintains that these false idols cannot set up a king over a country. They cannot give rain to anybody. They cannot judge their own cause. They cannot deliver anyone that has been wronged, since they have no power. They are like crows in the sky. If a fire breaks out in a temple of wooden gods with gold and silver, their priests will flee and escape. However, these idol gods will be burned up like timbers. These weak false idols cannot offer any resistance to a king or any enemies. How then can you think or admit that they are gods?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 