Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
After a beautiful picture of Spirit-filled believers joyfully committing themselves to the service of God – 'One by one, people will say, "I am the LORD's"' (verse 5) – Isaiah 44 moves into a devastating and very funny attack on idolatry. The prophet details the manufacturing process needed to make a metal or wooden idol. Perhaps someone cuts down a tree; some of it he burns to keep warm, some he uses to bake bread or roast meat; 'The rest of the wood he makes into an idol, and then he bows down and worships it. He prays to it and says, "You are my god — save me!"' (verse 17).
Behind the mockery there's a sense of frustration and outrage that someone could be so wrong. We might think the prophet isn't being entirely fair: the god was thought to inhabit the idol rather than being identical with it, though the intimate relationship could no doubt blur the difference. The point still stands, though: it's stupid to worship things we've made ourselves, as though they're more powerful than we are.
Applying this today takes discernment. But we still make idols; they're just different shapes. We expect to be saved by things we've made, like economic or political systems, a health service or a pension fund. Churches make idols out of music or buildings or traditions.
'It makes as much sense as eating ashes,' says the prophet (verse 20); the only god is God.
God, help me to recognise the idols I'm tempted to trust instead of you. May I hold lightly to the things of this world, even when they seem strong and secure, and put my faith only in you.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society’s Editor
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