Creating a Monster

Four royal brothers each decided to master a special ability. Time went by, and the brothers met to reveal what they had learned. “I have mastered a science,” said the first, “by which I can take but a bone of some creature and create the flesh that goes with it.” “I,” said the second, “know how to grow that creature's skin and hair if there is flesh on its bones.” The third said, “I am able to create its limbs if I have flesh, the skin, and the hair.” “And I,” concluded the fourth, “know how to give life to that creature if its form is complete.”

Thereupon the brothers went into the jungle to find a bone so they could demonstrate their specialties. The bone they found was a lion's. One added flesh to the bone, the second added hide and hair, the third completed it with matching limbs, and the fourth gave the lion life. Shaking its mane, the ferocious beast arose and jumped on his creators. He killed them all and vanished contentedly into the jungle.

Just as these brothers were destroyed by their creation, so the creation of idols in our lives will destroy us. In the days of the Israelites, one group of people were especially known for their worship of idols—the Canaanites. They worshipped the gods of the land and of nature.

Source: Daily in the Word, May 18, 2008