And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, "I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?" No one considers in his heartThe phrase "considers in his heart" suggests a deep, introspective reflection that is absent in the people being described. In Hebrew, the heart (לֵב, "lev") is often seen as the seat of thought and will, not just emotion. This indicates a profound lack of spiritual insight or self-awareness. The heart, in biblical terms, is where true understanding and wisdom reside, and the absence of consideration here points to a spiritual blindness that prevents individuals from recognizing the futility of idolatry. nor has he the knowledge or understanding
The terms "knowledge" (דַּעַת, "da'at") and "understanding" (בִּינָה, "binah") are often paired in Scripture to denote a comprehensive grasp of truth. Knowledge refers to the accumulation of facts, while understanding implies the ability to discern their meaning and implications. The absence of these qualities in the people highlights a spiritual deficiency, where they fail to perceive the absurdity of worshiping man-made objects. This lack of discernment is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, emphasizing the need for divine revelation to truly comprehend God's ways. to say, 'I have burned half of it in the fire
This phrase illustrates the irrationality of idol worship. The act of burning half of the wood in the fire is a practical use of the material, yet it sets the stage for the absurdity of using the remainder for worship. The Hebrew word for "burned" (שָׂרַף, "saraf") often connotes destruction or consumption by fire, which is a common biblical metaphor for judgment. Here, it underscores the irony of using something so transient and perishable as an object of devotion. I have also baked bread on its coals
Baking bread on the coals is a mundane, everyday activity, emphasizing the ordinary nature of the wood. The coals, remnants of the fire, serve a practical purpose in sustaining life through food preparation. This highlights the contrast between the utilitarian use of the wood and the misguided spiritual significance attributed to it. The Hebrew culture, deeply rooted in agrarian and domestic life, would recognize the absurdity of elevating such a common element to divine status. I have roasted meat and eaten
Roasting meat and eating it is another example of the wood's practical use. The act of eating is a basic human necessity, and the wood serves as a means to fulfill this need. This further underscores the folly of idol worship, as the same material that provides for physical sustenance is inappropriately revered as a deity. The Hebrew verb for "roasted" (צָלָה, "tzalah") is used here to emphasize the normalcy and routine nature of the action, contrasting sharply with the spiritual significance wrongly attributed to the idol. Shall I make an abomination of the rest of it?
The term "abomination" (תּוֹעֵבָה, "to'evah") is a strong word in Hebrew, often used to describe practices that are detestable or repugnant to God. This rhetorical question highlights the moral and spiritual repulsiveness of idol worship. The use of the word "abomination" underscores the severity of the sin, as it is not merely a misguided act but an affront to the holiness of God. The prophet Isaiah calls the people to recognize the inherent contradiction and offense in their actions. Shall I bow down to a block of wood?
Bowing down is an act of worship and submission, and the absurdity of doing so to a "block of wood" (עֵץ, "etz") is the climax of the prophet's argument. The Hebrew word for "wood" is the same used for trees and timber, emphasizing the material's mundane nature. This phrase encapsulates the folly of idolatry, as it involves attributing divine power and authority to something lifeless and crafted by human hands. The rhetorical question serves as a powerful indictment of the people's spiritual blindness and calls them to return to the worship of the one true God. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope. 2. Idol MakersThe people being addressed in this passage are those who create and worship idols, often made from wood, which is a central theme in this chapter. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, to whom Isaiah primarily directed his prophecies. The people of Judah were often tempted to worship idols, despite their covenant with Yahweh. 4. IdolatryThe event or practice being critiqued here is the making and worshiping of idols, which was prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures and condemned by the prophets. 5. YahwehThe one true God of Israel, who is contrasted with the lifeless idols made by human hands. Teaching Points The Folly of IdolatryIdolatry is irrational and self-deceptive. Isaiah highlights the absurdity of worshiping something crafted by human hands, which cannot compare to the living God. The Need for DiscernmentThe passage calls for introspection and discernment. Believers must examine their hearts to ensure they are not placing anything above God in their lives. The Call to Worship the True GodTrue worship is directed towards Yahweh, the Creator, not created things. This passage challenges us to focus our worship on God alone. The Danger of Cultural ConformityJust as the people of Judah were tempted to conform to surrounding cultures, Christians today must resist the pressure to adopt practices that lead away from God. The Importance of Knowledge and InsightSpiritual insight and knowledge are crucial in recognizing and rejecting idolatry. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom through Scripture and prayer. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern forms of idolatry that can distract us from worshiping God? 2. How does Isaiah 44:19 challenge us to evaluate the objects of our devotion and affection? 3. In what ways can we cultivate discernment to recognize idolatry in our own lives? 4. How do the teachings in Exodus 20:3-4 and Romans 1:21-23 reinforce the message of Isaiah 44:19? 5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our worship is directed solely towards God and not towards "blocks of wood" in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-4The Ten Commandments explicitly prohibit the making and worshiping of idols, which directly relates to the critique in Isaiah 44:19. Psalm 115:4-8This passage describes the futility of idol worship, emphasizing that idols are made by human hands and have no power, similar to Isaiah's message. Romans 1:21-23Paul speaks about humanity's tendency to exchange the glory of God for images, echoing the folly of idolatry described in Isaiah. People Cyrus, Isaiah, JacobPlaces Israel, JerusalemTopics Abomination, Ate, Baked, Bit, Block, Bow, Bread, Burned, Calleth, Coals, Considereth, Considers, Cooked, Detestable, Discernment, Eat, Eaten, Face, Fall, Fire, Flesh, Fuel, Half, Heart, Meal, Meat, Mind, None, Note, Recalls, Remnant, Residue, Rest, Roast, Roasted, Stock, Takes, Taketh, Thereof, Thinks, Tree, Trunk, Turn, Understanding, Wisdom, Wood, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 44:19 4318 coal
5138 bowing
5268 cooking
6103 abomination Isaiah 44:8-20 6708 predestination Isaiah 44:9-20 5211 art
7324 calf worship
8748 false religion Isaiah 44:12-19 5356 irony Isaiah 44:13-20 4552 wood Isaiah 44:14-19 5222 baking Isaiah 44:16-20 1657 numbers, fractions Isaiah 44:17-20 5943 self-deception Isaiah 44:18-19 5135 blindness, spiritual
8228 discernment, examples Isaiah 44:18-20 1165 God, unique Library Feeding on Ashes
'He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?'--ISAIAH xliv. 20. The prophet has been pouring fierce scorn on idolaters. They make, he says, the gods they worship. They take a tree and saw it up: one log serves for a fire to cook their food, and with compass and pencil and plane they carve the figure of a man, and then they bow down to it and say, 'Deliver me, for thou art my god!' He sums up the whole …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWriting Blotted Out and Mist Melted
'I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.'--ISAIAH xliv. 22. Isaiah has often and well been called the Evangelical Prophet. Many parts of this second half of his prophecies referring to the Messiah read like history rather than prediction. But it is not only from the clearness with which the great figure of the future king of Israel stands out on his page that he deserves that title. Other thoughts belonging to the very substance of the gospel appear in …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jacob --Israel --Jeshurun
'Yet now hear, O Jacob My servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen.... Fear not, O Jacob, My servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. --ISAIAH xliv. 1, 2. You observe that there are here three different names applied to the Jewish nation. Two of them, namely Jacob and Israel, were borne by their great ancestor, and by him transmitted to his descendants. The third was never borne by him, and is applied to the people only here and in the Book of Deuteronomy. The occurrence of all three here …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Source of My Spirit's Deep Desire
"I will pour water on him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground." -- Isaiah 44:8. Source of my spirit's deep desire For living joys that shall not perish, The patient hope Thy words inspire, Still let Thy tender mercy cherish. On Thee my humbled soul would wait, Her utmost weakness calmly learning, And see Thy grace its way create, Through thorns and briers which Thou art burning. Gladly my inmost heart would know The love that now it faintly traces, And see the streams from Zion flow …
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations To the Afflicted, Tossed with Tempests and not Comforted. Isa 44:5-11
To the afflicted, tossed with tempests and not comforted. Isa 44:5-11 Pensive, doubting, fearful heart, Hear what CHRIST the Savior says; Every word should joy impart, Change thy mourning into praise: Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee, May he help thee to believe! Then thou presently wilt see, Thou hast little cause to grieve. "Fear thou not, nor be ashamed, All thy sorrows soon shall end I who heav'n and earth have framed, Am thy husband and thy friend I the High and Holy One, Israel's GOD by …
John Newton—Olney Hymns Fourteenth Day for the Church of the Future
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Church of the Future "That the children might not be as their fathers, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."--PS. lxxviii. 8. "I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thy offspring."--ISA. xliv. 3. Pray for the rising generation, who are to come after us. Think of the young men and young women and children of this age, and pray for all the agencies at work among them; that in association and societies …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession The Nature of Justification
Justification in the active sense (iustificatio, {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is defined by the Tridentine Council as "a translation from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption of the sons of God through the second Adam, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual Catalogue of his Works.
There is no absolutely complete edition of Eusebius' extant works. The only one which can lay claim even to relative completeness is that of Migne: Eusebii Pamphili, Cæsareæ Palestinæ Episcopi, Opera omnia quæ extant, curis variorum, nempe: Henrici Valesii, Francisci Vigeri, Bernardi Montfauconii, Card. Angelo Maii edita; collegit et denuo recognovit J. P. Migne. Par. 1857. 6 vols. (tom. XIX.-XXIV. of Migne's Patrologia Græca). This edition omits the works which are …
Eusebius Pamphilius—Church History Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects Centenary Commemoration
OF THE RETURN OF BISHOP SEABURY. 1885 THE RT. REV. SAMUEL SEABURY, D.D. FIRST BISHOP OF CONNECTICUT, HELD HIS FIRST ORDINATION AT MIDDLETOWN, AUGUST 3, 1785. On the ninth day of June, 1885, the Diocesan Convention met in Hartford. Morning Prayer was read in Christ Church at 9 o'clock by the Rev. W. E. Vibbert, D.D., Rector of St. James's Church, Fair Haven, and the Rev. J. E. Heald, Rector of Trinity Church, Tariffville. The Holy Communion was celebrated in St. John's Church, the service beginning …
Various—The Sermons And Addresses At The Seabury Centenary "But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory Not," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not," &c. It is a common evil of those who hear the gospel, that they are not delivered up to the mould and frame of religion that is holden out in it, but rather bring religion into a mould of their own invention. It was the special commendation of the Romans, that they obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered, (Rom. vi. 17) that they who were once servants, or slaves of sin, had now …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God.
1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Song of the Redeemed
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou ... hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ... T he extent, variety, and order of the creation, proclaim the glory of God. He is likewise, ^* Maximus in Minimis . The smallest of the works, that we are capable of examining, such for instance as the eye or the wing of a little insect, the creature of a day, are stamped with an inimitable impression of His wisdom and power. Thus in His written Word, there …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Of the Decrees of God.
Eph. i. 11.--"Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."--Job xxiii. 13. "He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." Having spoken something before of God, in his nature and being and properties, we come, in the next place, to consider his glorious majesty, as he stands in some nearer relation to his creatures, the work of his hands. For we must conceive the first rise of all things in the world to be in this self-being, the first conception …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Links Isaiah 44:19 NIVIsaiah 44:19 NLTIsaiah 44:19 ESVIsaiah 44:19 NASBIsaiah 44:19 KJV
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