Observant Detectives

My wife and I enjoy watching detective television shows. Cindie is very observant. Early in a story she can identify the one guilty of a crime or sees some detail that helps her know how the story will end. Some of the series we have enjoyed are: Monk, Columbo, Mentalist, Psych, and (our favorite) the Hallmark movie series “Signed, Sealed and Delivered.” In each case, the hero or heroine is someone who sees what everyone else sees, but is really the only one who really sees.

Hallmark Movies – Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Animal Kingdom Eyes

Argos was the name of a watchman with a hundred eyes in Greek mythology. To be “Argus-eyed” means you are very observant. It isn’t surprising that insects, birds, lizards, and fish have “argus” in their scientific name. they have many eyes, but most of their eyes do not see. Sadly, many live this life with eyes that could see, but they don’t. Often this is because they have chosen a god who cannot see. Consider two passages from the Old Testament. One is in the book of Psalms and the other in Jeremiah.

  • Peacock Grouper Cephalopholis Argus
  • Northern Snakehead Fish Channa Argus
  • Frog Hyperolius Argus
  • Cowry Lyncina Argus-Eyed Ccowry
  • Brown Argus Butterfly
  • Brown Argus Butterfly
  • Meadow Argus Butterfly
  • Peacock

Scarecrows in a Cucumber Field

Some birds are afraid of scarecrows. Scarecrows have legs, arms, and eyes. However, while they look alive, they are not. They are sightless and helpless. When we choose the wrong god, we are depending on a scarecrow.

Jeremiah 10:1-5 (ESV) “Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus, says the Lord: ‘Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried,  for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.’”

But it is even worse than that. Not only does the wrong god fail to satisfy, but –

You Become Like Your God (god)

Psalm 115:1-8

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.

They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.

They have hands, but do not feel;  feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.

Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

Be careful who you find your hope and help from. The gods of this world cannot save or provide.

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.