The Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 54b) cites a question posed by gentiles of the chachamim when they were in Rome, “If it is not Hashem’s will that people should engage in idol worship, why does He not eliminate it?” The chachamim answered, “Were people worshipping only such objects for which the world has no need, He would eliminate it. However, they worship the sun and moon, the stars and constellations. Should He destroy His world because of fools?” In other words, the foolishness of man does not compel Hashem to alter the nature of the world. The universe with its various cosmic creations is vital to the maintenance of its human inhabitants. To eliminate these critical creations would negate the benefits man receives through their agency.
The Alshich HaKadosh applies this Chazal as basis for understanding the above pasuk, “For the gods of all the peoples are only idols.” The question is obvious: The root of elil (idols) is al, nothing, not, which according to Ibn Ezra alludes to the fact that no man-made or man-designated deity has any value. It is totally nothing. So, why does Hashem keep them around? Destroy the idols, and no idol worship will exist. The answer is: “But Hashem made the heavens.” The fools worship the constellations, moon and the sun. Should Hashem do away with the vital benefits of these precious, valued creations, because of some fools who want to worship them?
