The Idolatry
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Idolatry
Scripture Reference:
- Luke 12 (further images / scripture text)
Description: In a temple a man [Avarice] empties bags of money on the altar, placed in front of the statue of Greed—a money-counting woman; Satan lurks behind. In the right background more people approach with bags of money. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant scripture text is Luke 12:15.
Poem:
The Idol that stands here before you,
Is Greed and self-interest,
There Avarice makes offerings,
Not lethargically, or lazy and slowly,
But tirelessly and eagerly,
Here people come happily with full hands.
It was a disgrace, that in the olden times,
The Jews were seduced,
To fall into Paganism;
But seeing such practices,
In the land named the Christian world,
That is a disgrace above all.
For Shame, Idol Worshipper! know ye not
That Christ offered his hands,
To receive even thine gifts,
Through the need,
That thou encounters in this time,
So that thou may obtain eternity.
Where dost thou hide thyself out of shame and regret,
When his Court accuses thee of such,
Because thou didst not want to risk it with Him,
But the passion of the false soul,
Aimed at the evil flesh and blood,
Took pleasure in idol-worship.
Each one then should free himself,
From such wicked idolatry,
Before the goodwill is taken from him,
So that He, as a careful man,
Can serve the true God,
So as to be allowed into his favor.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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