Week Four - Day Five: The Holiness of God

Idolatry is a really big deal to the Old Testament prophets. This is a sure sign it should be a big deal to us as well. I find it interesting that the holiness of God is often the basis for the prophets’ denunciations of idolatry. “Don’t you see,” they say to us. “He is completely unique. He is in a category all by Himself. He alone is the universe-maker, the all-supplier. Why would you even think of looking anywhere else to find your meaning, purpose or pleasure?”

In this context read Isaiah 44:6-8.

(6) "This is what the LORD says— Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. (7) Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come—yes, let him foretell what will come. (8) Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Take a minute before you read on and summarize back to yourself what God says here. He does not use the word “holy” even though this is a frequently used concept for Isaiah. But clearly He’s talking about God’s absolute uniqueness. Now you’re ready to read the next section. Look at Isaiah 44:9-20. Feel free to smile as you read it. Isaiah is breaking out his comedy club voice in this section.

(9) All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. (10) Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing?

(11) He and his kind will be put to shame; craftsmen are nothing but men. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and infamy. (12) 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. (13) 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 the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. (14) 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.

(15) It is man's 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. (16) 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." (17) 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."

(18) They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. (19) 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?" (20) He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, "Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?"

Before You Start Your Day

1. How about a little self-examination? Let’s use this as a definition for idolatry: “to take anything of lesser value (even a good thing) and turn it into a thing of ultimate value.” Obviously, our idols give definition to our lives.
   1. So, what are your idols? (If you’re thinking, “I don’t have any idols” then you’ve got to try harder. Some of you may not have anything in your life on which you are placing ultimate value except for God and your connection to Him. If so, awesome. Then use this as an exercise to identify potential sources of idolatry for you. And make sure you’re not kidding yourself.)
   2. How much of what Isaiah says applies to your particular idols?
   3. In verse 20 Isaiah says, “a deluded heart misleads him.” What delusions fuel your idolatry?
2. Watch for signs of idolatry today – in yourself and in the culture around you.
3. Think about this: the word for “holy” is the same root word used for “saint.” The Bible calls all of us “saints.” Wow! We somehow partake of the thing that God is. We are also unique, different, set apart and holy if God lives in us. Pray today that God would set you apart.

Comments (1)

Idols

1Friday, 22 October 2010 07:09

Maria Causey

Tim Keller has a book out called "Counterfeit Gods" that was a real eye-opener for me. He makes the point that things like anger can be idols.

yvComment v.1.25.3