Jeff Klein, Pastor of Outreach
Jeffrey Klein 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose in the word of God. It's Tuesday, July 18. This is Jeff Klein. I'll be reading from Isaiah 44 verses 12 through 23.
Jeffrey Klein 0:17
The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint. The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, “Save me! You are my god!” They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” "Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.
Jeffrey Klein 2:16
This passage makes me wonder how I have fashioned idols. The beginning of the passage spells out the careful and intentional work that goes into making an idol, into molding something that we turn to made of our own hands. It makes me wonder about my own life, how much work have I put into forming and molding stuff that makes me self sufficient that helps me to function in a way that shuts God out. That keeps me from being totally dependent on God for everything I need. The toughest verse in all of this passage that I read was verse 20. Let me reread it to you.
Jeffrey Klein 2:50
The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes, he trusts something that can't help him at all, that he cannot bring himself to ask, is this idol that I'm holding in my hand a lie?
Jeffrey Klein 3:04
How many of us are this fool? unwilling to even ask ourselves is this thing I'm turning to and holding on to that I've carefully fashioned, a lie? How many lies continue in our lives because we are afraid to look carefully to ask ourselves where we are placing our trust, and then actually do something to change it.
Jeffrey Klein 3:28
Let's pray. Lord God, we want to trust you. We want to turn to you. We want to rely on you. But too often, Lord, if we're really honest, we turn to something that's a lie, something that's fashioned from our own hands, something that really can't offer us any help at all. Lord, show us - reveal to us - what are those that we have fashioned and then Lord, help us to do something about those to cut them down and Instead turn to you your name we pray. Amen.