You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay. (Isaiah 29:16)Though we have affirmed earlier writings in Isaiah were addressed to Judah during the reign of Ahaz, the current chapters are more likely targeted to his son Hezekiah. Israel was on the verge of falling to Assyria, even though their drunken revelry makes it appear they were not aware their flower was fading (28:1-4). Despite their differences, the population of Judah would be shaken to the core to see its sister kingdom Israel destroyed and its people exiled to the far reaches of the empire, never to return.
Chapter 29 advises that Jerusalem is not immune to the troubles which have besieged Samaria (Israel's capital). But chapter 30 also cautions that running to Egypt for protection is not the answer.
Isaiah acknowledges that his prophetic message is not getting through. Their spiritual blindness and deafness has infected every area of their lives including their worship. These people . . . honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me (29:13).
In today's focus verse, the prophet warns that just because they are blind doesn't mean they should assume God is blind too. They make the mistake of thinking God is created in their image. Who's the potter? And who's the clay?
It's one thing to confess God with our lips; quite another to confess him with our lives.
Have you ever tried to recreate God in your own image?
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