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God's Faithful People Suffer
1God's faithful people
are dragged off and killed,
and no one even cares.
Evil sweeps them away,
2but in death they find peace
for obeying God.
The Lord Condemns Idolatry
3You people are unfaithful!
You go to fortunetellers,
and you worship idols.
Now pay close attention!
4Who are you making fun of?
Who are you sneering at?
Look how your sins
have made fools of you.
5All you think about is sex
under those green trees
where idols are worshiped.
You sacrifice your children
on altars built in valleys
under rocky slopes.
6You have chosen to worship
idols made of stone;
you have given them offerings
of wine and grain.
Should I be pleased?
7You have spread out your beds
on the tops of high mountains,
where you sacrifice to idols.
8Even in your homes
you have placed pagan symbols
all around your huge beds.
Yes, you have rejected me,
sold yourselves to your lovers,
and gone to bed with them.
9You smear on olive oil
and all kinds of perfume
to worship the god Molech.
You even seek advice
from spirits of the dead.
10Though you tired yourself out
by running after idols,
you refused to stop.
Your desires were so strong
that they kept you going.
11Did you forget about me
and become unfaithful
because you were more afraid
of someone else?
Have I been silent so long
that you no longer fear me?
12You think you're so good,
but I'll point out the truth.
13Ask your idols to save you
when you are in trouble.
Be careful though—
it takes only a faint breath
to blow them over.
But if you come to me
for protection,
this land and my holy mountain
will always belong to you.
The Lord Helps the Helpless
14The Lord says,
“Clear the road!
Get it ready for my people.”
15 Our holy God lives forever
in the highest heavens,
and this is what he says:
Though I live high above
in the holy place,
I am here to help those
who are humble
and depend only on me.
16My people, I won't stay angry
and keep on accusing you.
After all, I am your Creator.
I don't want you to give up
in complete despair.
17Your greed made me furious.
That's why I punished you
and refused to be found,
while you kept returning
to your old sinful ways.
18I know what you are like!
But I will heal you, lead you,
and give you comfort,
until those who are mourning
19 start singing my praises.
No matter where you are,
I, the Lord, will heal you
and give you peace.
20The wicked are a restless sea
tossing up mud.
21 But I, the Lord, have promised
that none who are evil
will live in peace.
Reflect
Recently my pastor gave a sermon about how the people in the Bible were just like us. It’s a bit hard to take. After all, we don’t dress in long robes, bring sacrifices to a temple, practice polygamy, or worship carved images.
However, a close look at this chapter of Isaiah reveals that Israel’s idolatry resembles our modern day idolatry in many ways. Whether it’s astrology or palm readers, we look to fortune tellers (verse 3). The pornography industry, which generates billions of dollars in sales each year, likely traces its lineage back to our inclination to give in to our lustful desires in ways that dishonour God (verse 5).
Idolatry at its core means much more than bowing down to carved images. Any time we put anyone or anything above God, we are idolizing.
In today’s Western society, idolatry often manifests itself in the form of “busyness”. Consider that the majority of Christ followers don’t open a Bible at all outside of church services. When asked why, nine out of ten will say they believe it’s important but their lives are just too busy.
Verse 13 shows us the dangers of this idolatry. Whether it’s a carved image or our busyness, these idols can’t save us in times of trouble. Thankfully God reminds us that we can always turn from those idols and back to him.
Respond
Holy Lord, you are the God above all gods. I should not let anything or anyone to ever come before you. Help me today to identify my modern day idols and to replace them with a closer relationship with you. Amen.
Arnie Cole
DR. ARNIE COLE (Pepperdine) is the CEO of Back to the Bible—an international radio and internet ministry—and Director of Research and Development for the Center for Bible Engagement. He has spent much of his professional life tracking trends of human behavior. Dr. Cole is the co-author of seven books, including Seven Secrets of Worry-Free Living (BroadStreet Publishing). He and his wife, Char, are parents of adult children and operate an equestrian center in Nebraska.