Isaiah, Part 19
The Dangers of Relying on False Idols
Isaiah 46:1-13
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons, we are so glad you are here today!
- Last week, we reviewed the importance of what God has done:
-- He made a way, provided escape, delivered hope, & gave us a redeemer
-- FACT: No religion; no faith; no other “deity” gives assurance like THIS!
- Today, I’d like to see if we can add to our confidence in God’s promises
-- What we will see is the dangerous concept of relying on false idols for hope
-- If we can get this in our hearts, believe we can discover where those exist to:
• Root them out from our lives,
• Warn others about the dangers of trusting in them, and,
• Help evangelize the importance of knowing and following Jesus
- Read Isaiah 46:1-13 / PRAY
Point 1 – The Difference between Idolators and Believers
- What Isaiah does first is describe the fate of those who trust in false idols (v1)
-- It is seen in the first verse as the result of a sad & awful war: DEFEAT
-- Hebrew: kara; to bring low, to prostrate, to bend the knee
- Bel (meaning ‘lord’) was the ‘chief god’ of Babylon
-- This is the same god that the Canaanites worshiped as ‘Baal’
-- Baal was the god of fertility, agriculture, & forces of nature (storms)
-- Their other god, Nebu, was thought to be Baal’s son (imitation genealogy)
-- Israelites were forbidden to worship these; hence their defeat shown here
- Yes: the Babylonians were very religious … but … to what (or who)?
• When tough times came they went to their god to worship & seek help
• They turned to their gods for wisdom, hope, guidance, and rescue
• But know this: their gods were actually powerless to help them!
- The picture presented in Isaiah is of the utter defeat of the false idols (see v2)
-- Ref song lyrics: “You are not a God, created by human hands; dependent on any mortal man; in need of anything we can give” … God does not need us!
- Contrasted to these were followers of God (Yahweh)
-- Isaiah foresaw the future of Israel’s defeat, capture, and enslavement
-- He understood that those who are captured would suffer greatly
-- He cried out - warning them - turn to the One who could rescue them!
- Yet, even though they would not listen – look at God’s response (vv3-4):
-- The Israelites were still God’s creation; were created for His purpose / plan
• From their 1st covenant (Genesis 12), God has been involved in protecting them
• From exp. covenant on Mt Sinai (Exodus 20), God wanted them for His own
• To the promise now to redeem (Isaiah 9), He wants them to know Him!
- But, because of their rebellion - these difficult times would have to be endured
-- Many ask here: “If God loved them, why would they go through this time?”
-- The problem is, we ask that more about our interests than seeking God:
• US: “I worship you, God, so why am I going through this challenge now?”
• BIBLE: “I trust in You, Lord, so whatever this is I will cling tighter …”
- SEE: It is always our sinful choices that get us into tough consequences
• It is because we choose to try to be in charge (as they did) and we fail
• We are not able to control life issues (we are not God) – must learn this!
-- Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
- IMP Note: It does not say that we are all powerful and can be counted on to win
-- It is God who should be worshiped, God rescues: This is the message of Isaiah
-- Regardless of where you find yourself today – this is our encouragement! Why?
Point 2 – False Idols are Powerless to Save You
- FACT: False gods are worthless; unable to follow through with anything
-- They appear to be attractive because they make us feel what WE crave
-- Think: If your god told you to stop behaving badly, you might not like Him
-- This is exactly what draws people into wanting to worship ‘ungodly things’
- We like what we want (depraved mindset) - so we obey our fleshly urges
-- EX: The fruit in the garden ‘looked’ good … so forget about being told “No”
- Know this: An idol is merely something that has your heart’s attention / desire
-- BIG: This is what we have to settle for ourselves: Who will we follow?
- Here are six things to realize when it comes to false idols:
1. They are not like the Lord; they are not His equal (v5)
2. They are the creation of our minds, of our wants, of our desires (v6a)
3. They are material objects that are made up by us (v7)
4. They are not able to carry you through life’s difficult days
5. They cannot answer people’s prayers; no help comes from crying out
6. They can’t even move; they cannot change lives; they cannot “DO” anything
- TR: So, what does God do to challenge how we live?
Point 3 – God Makes an Appeal to Idolators
- This is the SAME appeal that is made today to those seeking to be ‘in charge’
-- Dead giveaway: Someone who calls themselves “spiritual” … To what?
-- More than likely: Spiritual to an idea that they have created for themselves!
-- They are faithful to something that they believe represents God to their wants
-- TOUGH EX: “My sin is not that bad, or not as bad as yours, so I am ok.”
a. Idolators must remember that they are sinners (‘guilty ones’: v8)
- Know: Every Israelite professed to believe in God; they all liked the idea of God
-- However, what they were faithful to was: Their own idea of who God is!
-- Consider: James 2:19, “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.”
-- APP: If you want to know who God is: must spend time / cultivate relationship
- Most lived for a God that only gave them the blessings and good things
-- Yet, they rejected a God who told them to repent of their sins (Jesus did this!)
-- Instead, they lived for an ‘idea’ of who they thought God was or should be
-- APP: This is why they missed the Messiah - who was clearly prophesied about!
b. Idolators must remember that God works through history (vv9-11)
- His deeds, His successes, even His prophecies are our faith’s foundation!
-- Over and over He has proven that He is capable of doing incredible things
-- Look at the certainty found in v10 … pay attention: this is complete messaging
-- Again, invoking His name, His credibility, His very person to secure it
- Other religions tell you to do something to earn God’s approval
-- God shows us that what He does demonstrates for us who He truly is!
c. Idolators must listen to the Lord (vv12-13)
- Ref the words of last two verses, God understands the problem idolators have!
-- APP: They are stubborn (they refuse to change) and are far from righteousness
-- Note … this is not breaking news! Genesis 6:5, “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.” (this is before the flood)
- So, we are encouraged to lean in because of what is coming (judgment) (v12)
-- He declares He is ready (and able) to save Israel from its pending destruction
-- For us: He is ready to save us from our sinful ways (through Jesus’ resurrection)
-- It’s why have a declaratory statement: John 14:6 – declaration of hope & truth
BIG IDEA
- False idols will always make us feel better about ourselves - BUT -
-- There are no second chances once we leave this life: We are either His or not
-- CH: Will we continue to refuse His invitation like many continued doing now?
-- TRUE: There is no greater comfort to us than living assured of our future!
- Let me leave you with some wisdom (from ~540 B.C.): Psalm 10:4, “The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.”
-- Is this where we find ourselves? Are we too good to seek God today?
-- Where do you find yourself? What is keeping you from submitting to Him?
-- Are you in love with your false idol, your false god, & don’t want to give it up?
- Pray
