July 29, 2008
Isaiah 43 - 44Isaiah 43
Now Israel will come to know God as their Saviour and Redeemer—all because God loves them anyway (43:1-7). Then, and even now, Israel will be able to witness to God’s greatness revealed in His saving acts (vv. 8-13). Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God has remained committed to His people and will continue to meet their needs (vv. 14-21).Yet how discouraging to God! Despite God’s mercy Israel has remained ungrateful, refusing to call on or worship Him and burdening the Lord with their sins. Yet God remains the one “who blots out your transgressions,’’ even while punishing those who persist in their indifference to Him (vv. 22-26).
Isaiah 44
Israel is God’s chosen servant and need not fear (44:1-5). Then a loud voice powerfully affirms God’s uniqueness (vv. 6-8) and scorns those who worship idols rather than the living God (vv. 9-20). Israel is called to remember the contrast between the true God and idols and act accordingly (vv. 21-23). Demonstrating His own superiority, the Lord preannounces the appearance of a ruler who will call for the temple to be rebuilt, and names Cyrus, even though his empire lies 150 years in Isaiah’s future (vv. 24-28).
Fear not (44:1-7). Isaiah has shown that Israel has failed as a servant. When you and I are aware of some terrible failure, we too feel fear. But here, as in 43:1-6, God reaffirms His love. God chose, made, formed, and in 43:1, “created” Israel. Those of any age who are God’s people are loved despite their deficiencies. How comforting these two passages, filled with unconditional love, can be when we too fail the Lord.
Idolatry (44:6-23). Idolatry dominated the ancient world, not only in O.T. times but in N.T. times as well. Some idol worshipers were superstitious, viewing their figures of wood, stone, or metals as deities themselves. Some idol worshipers were sophisticated, seeing the figures they bowed down to as representations of invisible spiritual beings. But idolatry in any form involved an explicit denial of the Creator.
Paul argues that the basic truth about God is made plain in Creation and that the slide into idolatry is a consequence of rejecting the true God (Rom. 1:18ff). Here in Isa., however, the Lord’s scathing contempt for idolatry is expressed in mockery of the “wisdom” of human beings who cut down a tree, burn some of it as fuel, make a few utensils for the home, fashion an idol from the leftovers, and then pray to that idol to deliver them. Only a God who lives, who is capable of action, and who cares, could possibly help anyone—then, or now.
“A detestable thing” (44:19). The Heb. word, siqqus, is a strong word which links idolatry to immoral practices. It is intended to express the fact that religious sins, which involve active rebellion and rejection of God, are extremely wicked.
“Cyrus” (44:24-45:7). Isaiah predicted the fall of Judah to Babylon. Now he predicts the fall of Babylon and the return of the Jews to their homeland. To decisively demonstrate His superiority to idols, the Lord reveals the name of the Persian conquerer who will overthrow Babylon and issues a decree that not only releases the Jews from captivity but authorizes them to rebuild the Jerusalem temple. Some commentators, who deny the possibility of such detailed predictive prophecy, have insisted the mention of Cyrus is evidence of postexilic authorship of the second part of Isa. But in the context the naming of Cyrus is evidence of something far different. It is proof of the power of Israel’s living God and a guarantee that history itself moves toward His intended end.
Reflection
Chapter 44 discusses the folly of idolatry. Think about the following questions: (a) What are some modern idols? (b) What is the contrast between modern idols and the Living God? (c) What is the most important thing that God seems to want to get across in this chapter?