In a wonderfully contemptuous section of scripture, Isaiah skewers those who place their trust in gods represented by hand-made idols.

The metalworker encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer spurs on the one who strikes the anvil. One says of the welding, “It is good.” The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.

Such a goddess! The delightful figure worthy of worship only required a few nails in its base to stand upright.

Isaiah again referred to the divinities a few lines later. See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion. Consisting of mere blowing and bamboozlement, Isaiah mocked gods fashioned by men.

I mock as well, until I consider the idols I experience. An idol is any object, or person, who is not God but worshipped as if they were. Worship means more than simply offering fruit or candy to a statue, like I’ve seen in parts of Asia. I worship when I look to something for my hope and fulfillment above the Lord.

What idols tempt me? Wealth, comfort, ease of mind, a bit of notoriety, a wider reader base. More broadly our society worships influence, political power, and the kick that comes from consuming. Too modern to venerate statues, we instead bathe in reservoirs of self-indulgence.

When I spotlight myself, I’m smack in the realm of wind and confusion. A place of tottering foolishness, I need constant bracing.

But God don’t need no nails to stand up straight. Instead, the Lord holds the worlds in the palm of his hand. With the Lord I replace chaos with order and confusion with wisdom. Which leads to a peaceful hope, a way better outcome than I gain from the gods I create for myself.

Isaiah 41 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Khamkéo