Beyond Comparison

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Opening Prayer

Shepherd God, You lead me beside still waters, and into green pastures. Refresh me by Your Spirit today, I pray.

Read Isaiah 46:1-13

^[1] Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. ^[2] They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. ^[3] “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. ^[4] Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ^[5] “With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? ^[6] 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. ^[7] 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. ^[8] “Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. ^[9] Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. ^[10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ^[11] From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. ^[12] Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. ^[13] I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.

Meditate

“Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, / To his feet thy tribute bring (H.F. Lyte, 1793-1847)). In your own words, express your allegiance to our incomparable God.

Think Further

Israel was not sheltered from many visible expressions of idolatry. From its inception as a nation, it had witnessed them in surrounding nations and had incorporated elements into its own religious practices. Overt syncretism was a key reason for the exile of the northern kingdom to Assyria (in 722 BC; 2 Kings 17:5-13) and the southern kingdom to Babylon (in 586 BC; Jer. 11:9-14; Acts 7:43). The Babylonian exiles would have often seen local deities (exemplified here by Bel and Nebo)–some fashioned from inexpensive wood and iron, others from valuable gold and silver (Isa. 44:9-20; 45:20; 46:6)–publicly carted around on animals burdened by their weight and awkwardness.

Israel had been commanded to have no other gods but the Lord (Exod. 20:1-6). For, unlike the impotent non-gods crafted by human hands, Israel’s God had made and carried his people from birth, and promised to sustain them to old age (3,4). He had heard their cries and responded to their troubles (7); he alone was eternal and purposeful (9,10) and had the capacity to save his people (11,13). The rebellious and stubborn nation did not deserve God’s gracious rescue, but they would eventually recognize his incomparable splendor (8,12, and 13).

It is unlikely that any of us has a physical idol in our home, but we might have a hidden idol in our heart. Too often we trust the temporal, the man-made, and the objects of wealth or power. We attempt to carry them through life and eventually become burdened by their transience and impotence. Like Israel, we need to be reminded regularly to check for these insidious influences in our lives and remember that our God is beyond comparison. He is, after all, Immanuel, God with us (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23).

Apply

Have you identified any idols–even potential ones–in your life? Ask God to make you willing to relinquish them and serve him alone.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to seek first Your Kingdom above everything else. I resolve now to get my priorities straightened out according to Your Kingdom values.

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