Serving God or Idols

It is important that we note from chapter 48 that God declares to His people that prophecy is His unique ability, and it is meant to testify to the truth of His message. Verses 4-5 are very specific in this regard.

Is. 48:4-5 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

It is truly amazing to me how man is so willing to attribute the power and authority of “God” to idols rather than the one true God. If we are honest as we look into our own hearts, it can’t be denied that pride is at the root of that tendency. To accept the one true God is to recognize that we should be submissive and obedient to His message. In turning to idols one is free to indulge in the desires of the flesh without restraint; one’s propensity to sin is encouraged without thought of guilt or consequence. We would much rather declare allegiance to an impotent false god that doesn’t infringe upon our actions than to yield to the all powerful one true God who asks for our obedience in faith. The one true God has established guidelines for us to live by that are for our benefit and protection as we show honor to Him through obedience. We, however, tend to view them as unfair restrictions to our enjoyment of all that life has to offer. We refuse to recognize the truth that guided Moses so long ago.

Heb. 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season….

Isaiah goes on to emphasize that God wants to bless His people.

Is. 48:17-18 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

In His righteousness and love, however, God will not let our sin go unpunished.

Heb. 12:5-7 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

This leads directly to the closing verse in this chapter: “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.”