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Overview

Isaiah 44 is similar in its content from Isaiah 43. YHWH is unique, distinct and all-powerful. He chose Judah and therefore, promises to redeem Judah. The gods of the earth are not only impotent—they don’t exist. Finally idolatry, especially forming and making idols, is irrational and stupid. Only a living, eternal, omni-potent God is worthy of our worship. 

Isaiah 44:6-8

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Pretty strong case here. YHWH is the first and last—and really everything in between. Also, notice the logic God uses here. He is perfect. He is all-powerful. He declared it so it will come to pass. Therefore, there is no reason to fear. The Bible says “perfect love casts out fear”. A perfect God does not lie. A perfect God loves His creation. A perfect God can be trusted. 

Isaiah 44:9-10, 18-19

All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?”

I am not trying to sound mean, but these verses make idolatry sound stupid. Worshipping a block of wood? What can a block of wood do to bring you satisfaction in life? Can a block of wood hear your prayers? Answer your prayers? Does a block of wood have the capacity to love, to show mercy, to execute justice? No, obviously it does not. And yet humans (even Christians—including myself) fall back into idolatry. We may not form idols with our hands, but we create them in our hearts. John Calvin appropriately called our hearts “a factory of idols”. It is time to shut down the factory. It never actually makes a profit. It is a cheap substitute. 

Isaiah 44:21-22

Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Only God can forgive sins. Only God can redeem us. Only God always remembers us. We often forget about Him. Hopefully these two verses encourage you. God doesn’t forget about His promises. But God chooses, though He is omniscient and remembers everything—to not remember our sins. 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:11-12)

Enjoy that reality today!