Isaiah 40:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The wood that deteriorates is selected by the one who shapes the trees (Isaiah 40:20). The prophet highlights that these idols, which have existed for quite some time, are not self-created; rather, they owe their preservation to the enduring quality of the wood. The craftsmanship prevents the images from perishing. Do not be misled by an idol’s appearance, longevity, or supposed permanence; these attributes are the result of human artistry. Yet, if these idols are capable of achieving anything, let them demonstrate it.

The practice of idol-making is mocked, highlighting that the tree which does not perish is selected by its Creator, who wisely determines how to establish His image in a manner that remains steadfast. Thus, it seems that the proficiency of the craftsman dictated the delusions of those misled, as they attempted to fashion a deity in line with their own thoughts, ensuring that it would be most secure from being toppled or damaged. In the absence of building skills on earth, deities were scarce among those who worshipped idols, and the creations birthed by human hands would not have endured had the artisans not cleverly devised ways to keep them erect and stable.

To whom can you compare God, or what likeness will you create for Him? Did not the craftsman make the idol, while the goldsmith embellishes it with gold and the silversmith with silver plates? The skilled artisan selects timber that is sturdy and resistant to decay, and he carefully positions the idol to ensure it remains steady. After illustrating the majesty of God and revealing a portion of His might, he calls upon the nations and islands, as if they were merely a drop from a bucket or a grain on the scales, declaring them as insignificant and dust. He dismisses offerings and explains why all nations are as nothing to Him, being accounted as negligible.

The representation does not equate to the truth. Concerning the Almighty, the prophet declared: "The cedar of Lebanon is not sufficient for burning" (Is 40:16). In this statement, he mocks the powerlessness of idols, illustrating that an artisan requires wood to create what is referred to as a god. Furthermore, as the prophet points out, not only does the craftsman take external materials to form the essence and likeness, but he also requires even greater skill to ensure that the representation resembles the intended image and remains steadfast.

It is impossible not to commend the craftsman for his craftsmanship, especially for selecting a sturdy, durable material and skillfully positioning the statue so that it stands firmly without swaying. However, to elevate a creation of human effort to the status of a divine being and to worship it as if it were a living God is utterly absurd and irreverent.