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Daily Devotions

Isaiah

Isaiah 
Day 
Day 296

"To whom then will you liken God?"

Text: Isaiah 40:18

IDOLS AND THE LORD

Ancient Israel had been ensnared by the idolatrous practices of neighbouring countries. Each nation had its own set of deities in the form of idols. Foolishly Israel compared the LORD with idols!

“To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to Him?
The workman molds an image,
The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,
And the silversmith casts silver chains.
Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution
Chooses a tree that will not rot;
He seeks for himself a skillful workman
To prepare a carved image that will not totter.”
Isaiah 40:18-20

1. A comparison attempted.

a) Could God really be compared to idols?

b) Could idols be compared to God in “likeness”?

2. A candid appraisal of the deities worshipped.

a) There is the workman.

i) He could be a goldsmith.

ii) He could also be a silversmith.

b) Idols were made.

i) Gold was used to coat the idol made.

ii) The silversmith may cast a mould of silver.

iii) These idols were made for those who could afford to buy them.

c) If a person is too poor:

i) He seeks a craftsman.

ii) This craftsman creates an idol made of wood.

iii) The idol is fastened so that it cannot totter.

3. How may these man-made idols be compared to the LORD?

a) How may the LORD who counts all the nation as “less than nothing”
be compared to man-made idols?

b) Any attempt to make a comparison seems preposterous!