Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Isaiah 44:10-11
Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.

This first verse, verse 10, appears to be a rhetorical question. This rhetorical question, who is it that make a god with his own hands and the god is profitable for nothing? This is almost saying something like, "What kind of an idiot would make a god with his own hands, worship it, and treat it as if it was the creator? What kind of an idiot wastes his time making a worthless idol? These idols are nothing in themselves, pieces of wood, pieces of metal, made after the craftsman's imagination." So these idols are worth nothing, yet they are treated as if they are of an infinite value, because they are treated as gods.

Then, the second verse, verse 11, appears to show what will come of the futility and stupidity of those who trust in idols. I think that the reference to companions is referring to all those people who align with a false god. The god is put forward as the "being". What will happen to all those people who align themselves with a false god, like Baal? Well, they will be put to shame. After all, the god's makers are merely human. They are flawed and sinful like all the rest of us.

Next, I think that God is putting them to a challenge. This challenge, probably similar to the challenge of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, tells them to get all of their followers together and face the true God, Jehovah. Then, we will see what the results are. The results, quite simply, are that they will be terrified, for the Lord Almighty is powerful, and only true. He is just and holy, full of wrath against those who hate Him. Thus, having a real God to reckon with is much different than a little piece of wood, for our God is a consuming fire. These idol makers and worshippers will have to reconcile with the Consuming Fire, the Lord Sabaoth, the great I AM.

Thus, these idol-worshippers will be put to shame, because they thought they were worshipping a real god, but really were just worshipping a piece of material.

So now, comes the hard part, self-application. These idols that were spoken of were merely material, merely pieces of God's creation, yet they were used in such a way to ascribe the glory and honor that belongs to God to these objects. This is what I do on a daily basis, I think. I get carried away with the things of the world, the flesh, my plans, my dreams, my hopes, etc. These things become my primary focus and I tend to elevate these things to a status which overtakes what belongs to God. The reality that Calvin said was that men's hearts are idol making factories. This is so very true, anything, everything can be made into an idol. Stupid things like computers, games, sports, TV, Internet, family, etc. can be turned into something that becomes all consuming. This all consuming entity takes the place of God, because God requires that I am all consumed with Him.

I hate this about myself, and I desire continually to be so consumed with God that the world, its traps, idols and lusts fade away in the background and I spend all my energies praising and glorifying God.

Oh God, may you shut off the idol making machine in my heart. God would you please convict me of my sin, and lead me towards Jesus Christ. Help me to be consumed with You more than anything else, anyone else, and make it at all times. Help me, oh Father, to live a life that is dedicated to you in all things. But also, may you open the eyes of the world to see the true God, You, not the false gods that they have constructed, so that you will be able to receive the praise and honor from all creatures that you deserve. May your Spirit touch the hearts of the lost, and be poured out in new birth on those that need Jesus Christ. May they come to repent of their sins, and find forgiveness and righteousness in Jesus Christ.