And it hath served men for fuel: he took thereof, and warmed himself: and he kindled it, and baked bread: but of the rest he made a god, and adored it: he made a graven thing, and bowed down before it.
וְהָיָ֤ה לְאָדָם֙ לְבָעֵ֔ר וַיִּקַּ֤ח מֵהֶם֙ וַיָּ֔חָם אַף־יַשִּׂ֖יק וְאָ֣פָה לָ֑חֶם אַף־יִפְעַל־אֵל֙ וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ עָשָׂ֥הוּ פֶ֖סֶל וַיִּסְגָּד־לָֽמוֹ׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The prophet reveals that the Creator provided the oaks and lush forests for humanity so they could cook food and fulfill their physical needs. People utilize the oak and pine trees, cultivated by the Almighty and nourished by the rain, so that they can experience rich physical comfort, yet they end up deifying these creations.
Distortion of Creation We do not present numerous offerings nor create floral garlands in honor of those who fashioned humanity or established temples, calling them deities. We recognize that these beings are lifeless and devoid of spirit, lacking the likeness of God—we do not believe that God bears any resemblance to the images that some propose for reverence. Instead, these representations possess the names and characteristics of malevolent spirits that have manifested among people. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to elaborate, as you are already aware of how artisans shape materials, cutting, melting, and forging them, often transforming worthless objects into what they label as gods through their craft. This practice is not just irrational in our view; it also dishonors God, whose unspeakable glory and true image are misrepresented when His name is attributed to transient and fragile creations that demand incessant upkeep.
Why do you not reflect on the essence of those you consider as deities in lifeless images? It is not difficult for anyone to recognize that these are products of craftsmen, shaped with saws, drills, and other instruments, the inventions of those in want who, in their hunger, have cleverly devised means to obtain sustenance without effort. Why do you not contemplate the nature of God? Does He require nourishment, or is He disinterested in our offerings? Is God rendered helpless without receiving food, or, as Simmachus suggests, does He become famished, weak, and exhausted, lacking even a drink? Why, they ask, does He not drink water if He is truly thirsty, yet remains inert like a mute being?
It is essential to affirm our belief that the entire passage, from verse 9 to verse 20, serves as a specific sermon delivered by the prophet, potentially shared orally with the congregation. This discourse is integrated into the prophecy of chapter 44 as a supplement and clarification of its central theme: despite the impending disasters threatened against Israel, God has sent a message of comfort, assuring that this people is not forsaken. Their existence stands as a testament to God's past miracles and His mercy; hence, it serves as a guarantee of the fulfillment of His promises.
Among those promises is the upcoming sending of Cyrus, a man chosen by the Lord, who will act as His instrument to restore Jerusalem, the temple, and the cities of Judah that were foretold to face destruction in chapter 39.
In verses 21 to 28 of this chapter, we observe a continuation of the prophecy expressed in verses 1 to 8, which is momentarily interrupted by a discussion on the futility of idols. Verse 21 reflects the sentiment of verse 2, just as verse 22 echoes verse 25 from chapter 43, and verse 24 revisits expressions found in verse 6 of the current chapter. The latter portion of chapter 44 (verses 21 to 28) is intricately linked to the earlier part (verses 1 to 8). The concluding words of verse 8 pose the question, “Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold, I know of none,” while verse 21 instructs, “Remember this, Jacob and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you; You are My servant, Israel; do not forget Me.”
When examining the sermon concerning the futility of idols, we note that its essence aligns with the prophet Jeremiah's denunciation in Jeremiah 10:2-5, 14, where he addresses the creation of idols. The later “epistle of Jeremiah” and the exhortations found in the Wisdom of Solomon appear to further develop these ideas initially articulated by Isaiah. Isaiah, in his arguments, appeals to human reason, highlighting the absurdity of idol worship, and questions what insanity can justify such acts.
We particularly focus on verse 20, which states, “A deceived heart has led him (the idolater) astray, and he cannot deliver his soul, and say, Is not deceit in my right hand?” This prompts us to consider who has deceived the idolater's heart, and from whom he cannot rescue his soul. Clearly, this refers to the evil one, the father of lies, who holds sway over the hearts of the nations, deceiving them until the One who “overcame the world,” along with death and hell, arrived. Prior to this victory, Satan was capable of preventing the unenlightened soul from reaching the light. However, with the advent of light, truth, and grace, humanity was empowered to pursue the light and was freed from the bondage of Satan.
As previously mentioned, we connect the subsequent verses to the inquiry presented in verse 8: “Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold, no other stronghold I know.”
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS