The Failure of Idols, the Faithfulness of God

Isaiah 44:1–2 (ESV) “But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! 2 Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

The Lord is both creator and helper. We must remember that. Everything we experience in Him is for our help. Even the Holy Spirit is described as our "Helper" in Jesus' discourse with the disciples in John 14 and 16. 

Isaiah goes further to describe the help God intends on providing:

Isaiah 44:3–5 (ESV) For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. 4 They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. 5 This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.”

All of these wonderful promises will be beneficial to the original hearer in Israel as God's judgment will soon come upon the nation and no doubt they will be wondering if there is anything good to come from this. But as the Gospel itself bears witness, God brings good out of evil. 

Isaiah 44:8 (ESV) 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.”

We are to also remember that no other god exists. He alone is the One who rules and reigns. He alone is our source and foundation. Then Isaiah goes back to exposing the idol makers for what they are. 

Isaiah 44:10–11 (ESV) Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human.

Isaiah 44:12 (ESV) The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint.

Ironically, the one who makes an object of worship tires and has to drink the water that God provides. What is the point? We may place our hope in something but even that something only exists by the hand of God. Therefore we should cut out the middle man and worship the Lord! Hope alone in Him.

But most damning of all is the spiritual blindness that results from idolatry. Isaiah describes a man taking a log of wood and dividing it into three uses. One portion to heat his home with fire, one portion to cook his food over a fire, and then one portion being shaped into an idol. That is why the great theologian says our hearts are perpetual idol-making factories. We will worship anything and in doing so we will become blind and callous to the voice of the Lord.

Isaiah 44:18–20 (ESV) 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. 19 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?” 20 He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Do not miss the effect of sin. It blinds us. We first seek the idol and like the sun if we stare to long we lose sight of all other things. Isaiah enumerates the harsh reality - we cannot save ourselves. If we cannot save ourselves and our own idolatry has blinded us, then where is our hope? Our hope is in Him who forever sees, remembers, and saves. 

Isaiah 44:21–22 (ESV) 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. 22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Graciously, God speaks a word of redemption. We forget God but He does not forget us. He wipes out our sins and calls us to Himself.