Images made of gods in the Old Testament always remained dumb; in fact, repeatedly in the Old Testament images used in the service of a deity were mocked precisely because they were silent and ineffective (Psalm 115:4–8; Psalm 135:15–18; Isaiah 44:10–20; Jeremiah 10:3–5). But this beast from the earth succeeds where humanity had not previously succeeded; he can make an image alive so that the image can speak and through his words/messaging get things done on earth. So believers who expect their daily needs from the hands of their risen and living Lord and Saviour discover that life and breath can come from elsewhere! This challenges them in their faith.
15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.