God Renews
Isaiah 40:18–31
Isaiah Chapter 40 is a major turning point in the book as a whole. At the end of Chapter 39, God reveals through Isaiah that a time is coming when Israel will be taken captive by Babylon, which would eventually happen over a century later in 586 B.C.
The reason for Israel’s captivity at the hands of the Babylonians was because of their sin. Chapter 40 of Isaiah turns from the present day with Hezekiah to the return from the Babylonian exile about 200 years in the future. In Isaiah 40:1, the prophet is given the task to bring words of comfort because of the hope of return to Israel from captivity.
Living (18–20)
Many of those who heard Isaiah probably wondered how God could rescue them from their enemies. By the 6th century B.C., Babylon was a major world power, and Israel was no match for their might. So how could they return from captivity? They will return from captivity because God will make it happen. Through Isaiah, God reminds Israel who He is and that nothing can compare to Him. To prove His point, God demonstrates the worthlessness of idols in comparison with Himself.
In a humorous way, Isaiah recounts how a craftsman makes the idol himself out of metal and over-lays it with gold or silver. One who is poor makes his own idol out of wood to set up and worship. How foolish! The idea of making your own god only to worship it is ridiculous.
While it is easy to scoff at the futility of creating your own idols, we are often guilty of the same behavior. These idolaters trusted in gods they could see and often Christians do the same. We can trust in our job, our position, our health and our wealth and have a sense of confidence that we are OK because of these things.
In this way, we show a lack of trust in God since we too, like the idolaters, trust in something we can see. The problem is that all of these things can be gone in an instant. The current pandemic reminds us of this. And if these things we trust in are gone, what are we to trust in now? This is why trusting in the Lord has to be our priority.
God can grant us wealth, health and all of these other things, but these are blessings that can depart in a minute. Our grounding has to be in God so that we can say with Paul in Philippians 4, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.”
Sovereign Creator (21–26)
In comparison to these idols, Isaiah reveals how God is the one who has created the very stars that others worship. He is the one who raises rulers up and wipes them away. Why trust in idols when you can trust in God, the creator of all? If the God of the universe says that He will bring His people out of captivity, then you can be sure it will happen.
This gives us great comfort today because we know that God is able to keep His promises. When we are faced with trials, we have a Savior who demonstrated His love for us by dying for us (Rom. 5:8). When we lose heart or become stressed and disappointed, we look to Christ and know that we can be confident of our eternal security.
Tireless Source (27–31)
In opposition to the worthless idols that are able to do nothing, God never tires or grows weary. Trusting in God provides strength and encourages us so that we can press on in the midst of whatever situation we face.
As Paul said, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
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