The God We Worship
This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies:
“I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!”
How foolish are those who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really worthless. The people who worship idols don’t know this, so they are all put to shame. Who but a fool would make his own god— an idol that cannot help him one bit? All who worship idols will be disgraced along with all these craftsmen—mere humans— who claim they can make a god. They may all stand together, but they will stand in terror and shame.
The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool, pounding and shaping it with all his might. His work makes him hungry and weak. It makes him thirsty and faint. Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood and draws a pattern on it. He works with chisel and plane and carves it into a human figure. He gives it human beauty and puts it in a little shrine. He cuts down cedars; he selects the cypress and the oak; he plants the pine in the forest to be nourished by the rain. Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire. With it he warms himself and bakes his bread. Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god to worship! He makes an idol and bows down in front of it! He burns part of the tree to roast his meat and to keep himself warm. He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.” Then he takes what’s left and makes his god: a carved idol! He falls down in front of it, worshiping and praying to it. “Rescue me!” he says. “You are my god!”
Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think. The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, “Why, it’s just a block of wood! I burned half of it for heat and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god? Should I bow down to worship a piece of wood?” The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. He trusts something that can’t help him at all. Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”
Isaiah 44:6-20
Isaiah was speaking to a godless people. Israel had turned away from God entirely. Judah had a form of religion that looked good. They had a sort of godliness, but underneath the surface, they did not follow God. Idols permeated all of the land. They would worship God with their mouths but would also turn to idols that they had made; works of their own hands and talents for their salvation.
The people of Judah had taken their concept and rationalization of the true God and worshiped him. This view of God that man can control and understand is not God at all. They did not concern themselves with the smallness of this god. 'The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, “Why, it’s just a block of wood!"' This god that was created was fully understood and controlled. The God is greater!
We look at these people today and laugh at them. "They were worshiping wood. How foolish." We are no better. We don't worship wood. (I hope not.) When I get honest with myself and look at the truth of this scripture, I see me. The sculptor of the idol had used his talents to form the god. Was he worshiping the wood or his abilities that had made the block of timber an idol? He had first put to mind what this idol would look like; what he desired. He then used his talents to form what he wished to worship. Did he praise the wood or his abilities?
We may never bow down before a block of wood or metal or any other thing. You may never call a thing god. We may keep a form of godliness. The people of Judah did. With their form of godliness, they went to their shop and worshipped their talents. They used their abilities to create things to adore. We may not have the skills to carve, but we still form God into someone He is not.
We have a view of God that we are comfortable with. We understand God in a way that allows us to continue in our way of living, worshiping, and being. God is not ours to define. God is who He says He is. He is Truth whether we are comfortable with Him or not. He is clear in sharing His character with us in His word. Our comfort does not define God. God defines God. He is I AM.
Who is your god?
“I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!”
How foolish are those who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really worthless. The people who worship idols don’t know this, so they are all put to shame. Who but a fool would make his own god— an idol that cannot help him one bit? All who worship idols will be disgraced along with all these craftsmen—mere humans— who claim they can make a god. They may all stand together, but they will stand in terror and shame.
The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool, pounding and shaping it with all his might. His work makes him hungry and weak. It makes him thirsty and faint. Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood and draws a pattern on it. He works with chisel and plane and carves it into a human figure. He gives it human beauty and puts it in a little shrine. He cuts down cedars; he selects the cypress and the oak; he plants the pine in the forest to be nourished by the rain. Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire. With it he warms himself and bakes his bread. Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god to worship! He makes an idol and bows down in front of it! He burns part of the tree to roast his meat and to keep himself warm. He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.” Then he takes what’s left and makes his god: a carved idol! He falls down in front of it, worshiping and praying to it. “Rescue me!” he says. “You are my god!”
Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think. The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, “Why, it’s just a block of wood! I burned half of it for heat and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god? Should I bow down to worship a piece of wood?” The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. He trusts something that can’t help him at all. Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”
Isaiah 44:6-20
Isaiah was speaking to a godless people. Israel had turned away from God entirely. Judah had a form of religion that looked good. They had a sort of godliness, but underneath the surface, they did not follow God. Idols permeated all of the land. They would worship God with their mouths but would also turn to idols that they had made; works of their own hands and talents for their salvation.
The people of Judah had taken their concept and rationalization of the true God and worshiped him. This view of God that man can control and understand is not God at all. They did not concern themselves with the smallness of this god. 'The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, “Why, it’s just a block of wood!"' This god that was created was fully understood and controlled. The God is greater!
We look at these people today and laugh at them. "They were worshiping wood. How foolish." We are no better. We don't worship wood. (I hope not.) When I get honest with myself and look at the truth of this scripture, I see me. The sculptor of the idol had used his talents to form the god. Was he worshiping the wood or his abilities that had made the block of timber an idol? He had first put to mind what this idol would look like; what he desired. He then used his talents to form what he wished to worship. Did he praise the wood or his abilities?
We may never bow down before a block of wood or metal or any other thing. You may never call a thing god. We may keep a form of godliness. The people of Judah did. With their form of godliness, they went to their shop and worshipped their talents. They used their abilities to create things to adore. We may not have the skills to carve, but we still form God into someone He is not.
We have a view of God that we are comfortable with. We understand God in a way that allows us to continue in our way of living, worshiping, and being. God is not ours to define. God is who He says He is. He is Truth whether we are comfortable with Him or not. He is clear in sharing His character with us in His word. Our comfort does not define God. God defines God. He is I AM.
Who is your god?
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