Isaiah 41
Today's Passage: Isaiah 41
Probably the most important truth in the universe, “God exists, and he has spoken.” Isaiah 41 captures the very words of the Lord as he speaks to the nations regarding Israel and his plan for sin.
In verse 1, God tells the nations to “Listen…in silence.” The reference to the coastlands is likely just a reference to the surrounding Gentile nations as far away as possible. Notice how they react, “The coastlands have seen and are afraid; the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come. Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, “Be strong!” The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.”
Those “craftsman” who made idols hardened their hearts and doubled down on the idols they made with their hands. We see over and over in Scripture God warning people that judgement is coming. Instead of repentance, they dig in. Instead of humility, they stand against God proud and arrogant.
Conversely, notice God’s promise to Israel, “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen… ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off’; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand… those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.”
Calling out the power of their false idols, the Lord challenge the pagan nations, “Set forth your case, says the Lord; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob… Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them… Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods… Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you… Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind.”
God mocks the idols of the pagan nations ending by calling them a “delusion” and “empty wind.” These idols are ruah (Hebrew), vaporous, vain, vanishing. They are like a fog that hangs in the air for a moment, fleeting and burned up by the sun.
Instead, God is sending One who “shall call upon my name; he shall trample on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay. Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforehand, that we might say, ‘He is right’?”
God’s description of the Messiah in this passage is reminiscent of Psalm 2. He shall come to crush the enemies of God and destroy the world powers that oppose him. This is the description of Christ’s return in power—his second advent (or second coming). When he returns, destruction for God’s enemies will follow.
What turns our hearts from the Lord? Where do we place our hope and strength? If we’re honest, the answer isn’t always the Lord. Anything that captures our hope, that we look to for strength, is an idol. It’s not just the objects crafted by wood and metal. If you are in Christ, we will not face the destruction discussed in this passage. However, that doesn’t mean there are not consequences for our misplaced affections.
Anything that takes God’s place in our hearts is fleeting and vaporous. It will not last or satisfy. Let it go, repent, and return to holy affections.
Written By: Tyler Short
Probably the most important truth in the universe, “God exists, and he has spoken.” Isaiah 41 captures the very words of the Lord as he speaks to the nations regarding Israel and his plan for sin.
In verse 1, God tells the nations to “Listen…in silence.” The reference to the coastlands is likely just a reference to the surrounding Gentile nations as far away as possible. Notice how they react, “The coastlands have seen and are afraid; the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come. Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, “Be strong!” The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.”
Those “craftsman” who made idols hardened their hearts and doubled down on the idols they made with their hands. We see over and over in Scripture God warning people that judgement is coming. Instead of repentance, they dig in. Instead of humility, they stand against God proud and arrogant.
Conversely, notice God’s promise to Israel, “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen… ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off’; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand… those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.”
Calling out the power of their false idols, the Lord challenge the pagan nations, “Set forth your case, says the Lord; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob… Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them… Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods… Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you… Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind.”
God mocks the idols of the pagan nations ending by calling them a “delusion” and “empty wind.” These idols are ruah (Hebrew), vaporous, vain, vanishing. They are like a fog that hangs in the air for a moment, fleeting and burned up by the sun.
Instead, God is sending One who “shall call upon my name; he shall trample on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay. Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforehand, that we might say, ‘He is right’?”
God’s description of the Messiah in this passage is reminiscent of Psalm 2. He shall come to crush the enemies of God and destroy the world powers that oppose him. This is the description of Christ’s return in power—his second advent (or second coming). When he returns, destruction for God’s enemies will follow.
What turns our hearts from the Lord? Where do we place our hope and strength? If we’re honest, the answer isn’t always the Lord. Anything that captures our hope, that we look to for strength, is an idol. It’s not just the objects crafted by wood and metal. If you are in Christ, we will not face the destruction discussed in this passage. However, that doesn’t mean there are not consequences for our misplaced affections.
Anything that takes God’s place in our hearts is fleeting and vaporous. It will not last or satisfy. Let it go, repent, and return to holy affections.
Written By: Tyler Short
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