I'm immune to a fir tree being a god that can do anything for me or against me.
Silly isn't it.
Silly, wasn't it.
We don't always use a fir tree at all.
And when we did, we cut one out of our pasture that we didn't want growing there in the first place.
It's a hunk of wood, Clefty. It can't harm you or help you.
I know right? That is exactly what Jeremiah said:
"They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good."
That is exactly why he said this to start with "Learn not the way of the heathen" why?
For the customs of the people are vain: nothing there about worship just all is in vain or vanity...
Jeremiah continues with an immediate comparison of a silly fir tree or such and well what we should be focused on and spending our energy with...
"Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Again what are we not to be like?
8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Hmmmm...absolutely nothing there about worship...just vanities...
Here is what is important:
10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Now what would spark his indignation? Maybe doing what the pagans do and just for vanity? After all He has done for us and we still expect Him to do for us and this is what you choose?
The images and symbols and decorations are DETESTABLE and an ABOMINATION not because they are mute harmless impotent lifeless oh did I mention harmless things...but because they are simply vanity and distract us from what He wants and doesn't want from HIS people...
As if He is threatened by a golden calf...blue and purple clothing...a decorative tree...
But because it causes you to sin...disobey...and rebel...that thing of vanity will cause Him to lose you...
He is jealous after all...His Son affirmed it...and recommended we do His will...and pray it is actually done on earth as it is in heaven...
But you're immmune you claim...VANITY