Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Isaiah 46:6-7
“Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles.”
Isaiah 46:6-7 (MSG)
“People with a lot of money hire craftsmen to make them gods. The artisan delivers the god, and they kneel and worship it! They carry it around in holy parades, then take it home and put it on a shelf. And there it sits, day in and day out, a dependable god, always right where you put it. Say anything you want to it, it never talks back. Of course, it never does anything either!”
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“Those who lavish gold from the bag and weigh out silver on the scales hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; they bow down, indeed they worship it. They lift it on their shoulders [in religious processions or into battle] and carry it; they set it in its place and there it remains standing. It cannot move from its place. Even if one cries to it [for help], the idol cannot answer; it cannot save him from his distress.” -AMPLIFIED
“They lavish gold out of the bag: Much money and attention are given to the production and care of our idols. Yet, though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer nor save him out of his trouble. Isaiah again exposes the ironic folly of idolatry.” ~David Guzik
In yesterday’s text we were reminded that nothing compares to Adonai, our God. Nothing!
“To whom can you compare me, the incomparable God?
Have you found someone else like me?” -Isaiah 46:5 (The Passion Translation)
In today’s passage we find the comparison continues. It should be noted, Yahweh points out that the worshiper of an idol carries their god, while Jehovah, the One True God, carries His children safely in His arms, all of their days. Remember verses 3 and 4:
“Listen to me, O Jacob’s tribes, all the remnant of Israel. You never had to carry me, but I have carried you from birth. I supported you from the moment you left the womb. Even as you grow old and your hair turns gray, I’ll keep carrying you! I am your Maker and your Caregiver. I will carry you and be your Savior.” -Isaiah 46:3-4 (The Passion Translation)
“They shall carry them on the shoulder. The picture is still more heightened by the description contained in this verse; for, since the idols have no feeling of any kind, they who fly to them to ask assistance must be not only very stupid but very obstinate.” ~John Calvin
“What about those who use precious materials for gods—hiring artisans to carefully craft gold, silver, jewels, and exotic wood into a god—then they bow down and worship it! Their god is a mere object. They have to lug it around on their shoulders before they can stand it up in its proper place. It just sits there, unmoving until they pick it up again. It never speaks, never answers. It cannot help them, no matter how desperate they are.” -(VOICE)
Once again, we find God pointing out the ridiculousness of worshiping idols, those false gods. Once again, He draws our attention to how a man designs and produces these so-called “gods”. A man, that has been blessed by Yahweh, with gold and silver, takes what God has given him and squanders it. That man takes the very gift God gave him and takes it to an artisan who then forms it into a “god”. How foolish! Then, that man bows down and worship that so-called “god”. That man will even lift and carry that so-called “god” around on his shoulders, carrying it where he wishes it to go, placing it where he desires to be. For that “god” does not have the ability to even move. And when that man prays to that “god” it cannot even answer, never mind save him from his troubles. How foolish this man is who points at said idol and says, “This is my god.”
“Will you compare me with an idol made lavishly with silver and with gold? They hire a goldsmith to take your wealth and make a god from it! Then they fall down and worship it! They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there, for it cannot move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer, for it cannot get him out of his trouble.” -(TLB)
“When they sit in a place, there it stands unable to budge from its spot. Though they cry to it for help, it does not answer. It cannot save them from trouble”. The Lord is not like that. He is not confined to any one spot or place. He’s not made by human hands; he’s above gold and silver, which he himself has made and created. When people cry to him, he answers and he saves them from trouble. If it wasn’t for Him they would all be wiped out by now.” ~Avraham Gileadi
The Sons of Korah composed a beautiful song describing for us the awesomeness of Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty. In the NIV, the final verse says: “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Here is the song in its entirety.
“There are so many reasons to describe God as wonderful! So many reasons to praise him with unlimited praise! Zion-City is his home; he lives on his holy mountain—high and glorious, joy-filled and favored.
Zion-Mountain looms in the farthest reaches of the north, the city of our incomparable King!
This is his divine abode, an impenetrable citadel, for he is known to dwell in the highest place.
See how the mighty kings united to come against Zion, yet when they saw God manifest in front of their eyes, they were stunned.
Trembling, they all fled away, gripped with fear. Seized with panic, they doubled up in frightful anguish,
like a woman in the labor pains of childbirth.
Like a hurricane blowing and breaking the invading ships, God blows upon them and breaks them to pieces. We have heard about these wonders, and then we saw them with our own eyes. For this is the city of the Commander of Angel Armies, the city of our God, safe and secure forever!
Pause in his presence
Lord, as we worship you in your temple, we recall over and over your kindness to us and your unending love. The fame of your name echoes throughout the entire world, accompanied with praises.
Your right hand is full of victory. So let the people of Zion rejoice with gladness; let the daughters of praise leap for joy! For God will see to it that you are judged fairly.
Circle Zion; count her towers. Consider her walls, climb her palaces, and then go and tell the coming generation of the care and compassion of our God.
Yes, this is our God, our great God forever. He will lead us onward until the end, through all time, beyond death, and into eternity!” -Psalm 48 (The Passion Translation)
“Our God is abundant in love and steadfast in mercy. He saves us, not because we trust in a symbol, but because we trust in a Savior. -Max Lucado
My friend, how do you view God? Is He faithful and true? Is He loving and kind? Does He care for you, protect, provide, and strengthen you? Is He your All-In-All? I hope you can testify to these truths, for this is our God! He is the Loving Father who carries us, not the other way around.
“Satan is ever seeking to inject that poison into our hearts to distrust God’s goodness – especially in connection with his commandments. That is what really lies behind all evil, lusting and disobedience. A discontent with our position and portion, a craving from something which God has wisely held from us. Reject any suggestion that God is unduly severe with you. Resist with the utmost abhorrence anything that causes you to doubt God’s love and his lovingkindness toward you. Allow nothing to make you question the Father’s love for his child.” ~A.W. Pink
My Prayer:
Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty, you are the One, True God, and there is no other. You are my loving Father, my Caring Friend, my Savior, and my Lord. No one or no thing can ever compare with you. You are abundant in love and mercy, rich in grace. You care deeply for your children, carrying them all of their days. You alone are the One that I will trust, for you are the only One who will walk with me through every moment of this life. You are my God. Thank you for always being there for me. I love you, Lord. ❤
Growing with God 