| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2026 | ESV (2016) | ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026 |
Isaiah 43-45
Observation & Interpretation
A significant theme throughout these chapters is the supremacy and exclusivity of the one, true God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the only God and there is no other. Within chapter 44, Isaiah speaks of how idols of metal and wood are casted and fashioned. The ironsmith fashions an idol with a hammer and works it with a strong arm, but becomes hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint (Is. 44:12). The hunger and thirst depict how this idol is a construct of man who is limited in himself and thus, by extension, anything he creates has no lasting or overarching power.
Next, Isaiah describes how a carpenter fashions “a wooden idol for a poor man. He chisels away at the block of wood until the figure of a man appears. Maybe he himself had planted the tree. He uses some of it as fuel to warm himself, some to bake his food, and some to make a god. Then he falls down and worships a god of his own creation.” (BBC). It is both ironic and utter wickedness that the carpenter uses elements of God’s creation to create a false god to which he worships, prays and pleads for deliverance (Is. 44:13-17).
Application
This text of idol fashioning is crucial for consideration as we—in our sinful, fallen state—are drawn to do such things. While not all are ironsmiths, stonecutters or carpenters, but we are worshipers by nature and have the propensity to assign ultimate value to items or aspects of creation rather than the Creator. The details given in this section should strike to the heart of God’s people with the futility of such practices and their offensiveness to our God who alone is worthy of worship. May we turn from whatever we are functionally trying to acquire hope, deliverance and fullness of joy, looking instead to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.
