Welcome to Day #19 in the Isaiah 40 Series!

Isaiah 40:19  “As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, a goldsmith plates it with gold, and a silversmith fashions chains of silver.

Keep in mind the verses that have preceded verse 19 in Isaiah chapter 40, as we address the subject of idols.  In Exodus 20:3 God commands, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”  This is serious.  This matters to the God of the Universe, therefore, it matters to us.  

O God, please help us to proceed by the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, to open our hearts before you and ask you to help us to see if there is any offensive way in us, and then, please lead us in Your way, which is everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). Amen.

Isaiah 2:8 “Their land has also been filled with idols; they worship the work of their hands, that which their fingers have made.”  And a little further on, in verse 11, we read, “The proud look of man will be abased, and the loftiness of man will be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.”

In the Old Testament idols seemed to be tangible things made of valuable materials.  In America, and as Christians, we might think we are exempt from these kind of verses because we do not worship idols like they did.  But what about the tangible things made of valuable material- that we cannot live without?  Like a cell phone, or this here computer, or TV, or jewelry, or name brand shoes, or that overstocked pantry?  Now, please do not freak out on me. I am not saying these things are bad or evil- just that we sometimes, or often, worship them through our attitude and affections towards them; me definitely included.

Hmm, do you do this?  Do you worship the work of your hands?  I know I do.  Do we exalt our works- what we make and what we accomplish, and lift them up to a glorified place?  Remember the post from yesterday?  Who alone should be on the throne in our hearts and lives?  

The One, True God- beyond all compare. 

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love.  Here’s my heart, Lord take and seal it; seal it for Thy courts above” (Come Thou Fount lyrics).

Hosea 4:12 “My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them; for a spirit of harlotry has led them astray.  And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.”

I recall a talk given by a Christian actor on a popular radio program several years ago.  He said something to this effect- that ministry had become like a mistress in his marriage; he eagerly sought what he could gain through ministry; worth, affirmation, appreciation, satisfaction, etc. and was spending less and less time with his wife and kids.  He was actively seeking fulfillment outside the marriage; with ministry.  Yes, God wants us to minister, but in a way that brings Him glory and not for lustful gain.

When I think of harlotry, I think of unfaithfulness.  Oh, how many times I am unfaithful to God with idols all around. Idols trip us up; breeding unfaithfulness.  Our worship of them (whatever they may be) can lure us away from what is really important and what, deep down, we really want to be.  The song, Slow Fade by Casting Crowns comes to mind.  Isn’t this often what happens?  Over time many little compromises lead us into a trap- subtly stealing our affections and time until “our passions” overshadow Him- who should be our primary passion.  

Hosea 14:8-9 “O Ephraim, what more have I to do with your idols?  It is I who answer and look after you.  I am like a luxuriant cypress; from Me comes your fruit.  Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them.  For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.”

The story of Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26 scares me because I can so easily see myself in him. Uzziah is going along pretty well- until the of the chapter, “…Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.  But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense” (only the priests were allowed to do this, but in his pride he did what he wanted to).  Here we see an example of worshiping the work of your hands, in this case Uzziah’s idols seemed to be his worship of self and accomplishments- and he acted unfaithfully.

Isaiah 46:5-8 “To whom would you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike?  Those who lavish gold from the purse and weigh silver on the scale hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; they bow down, indeed they worship it.  They lift it upon the shoulder and carry it; they set it in its place and it stands there. It does not move from its place.  Though one may cry to it, it cannot answer; it cannot deliver him from his distress.  Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you transgressors.  Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me.”

Isaiah 45:16-17, 20  “They will be put to shame and even humiliated, all of them; the manufacturers of idols will go away together in humiliation.  Israel has been saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated to all eternity.  Gather yourselves and come; draw near together, you fugitives of the nations; they have no knowledge, who carry about their wooden idol, and pray to a god who cannot save.”

Aren’t you glad that God understands us; that He knows us intimately and is able to save us, no matter how far gone we are?  He is the Real Deal.  He is not made of perishable things; He is God- so much greater than we can even imagine.  Our idols cannot save, but they can imprison.  He can save, and He can set us free. Our idols will pass away; but He remains.

Deep Breaths:

1. Memorize Isaiah 40:19

2.  What are the
idols that distract or deter you from exalting God to His
rightful place in your life?  Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to give us eyes
to see our blind spots- our areas of weakness and idolatry, the people
or things that we idolize and place above the LORD.

3.  Read Isaiah 59