Idols “cannot see or hear or walk,” John writes. That characterization of idols comes from Psalm 115:4–7, Psalm 135:15–17, and Daniel 5:23. Any man-made god is powerless and thus useless in facing life’s hard questions. In contrast to these idols, the Lord God is mighty to send catastrophic plagues on those who reject him. Despite the contrast, survivors cling to their idols.
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,