They're Made From Wood!

THEY’RE MADE FROM WOOD!

(Number 1 of 3 devotion series)

Isaiah 46:1-9

The Message vv.1-2: “The god of Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps. The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules and have to be hauled off, wearing out the poor mules—Dead weight, burdens who can’t bear burdens, hauled off to captivity.”

Bel is another name for Marduk, the deity of Babylon. Bel was the equivalent of the Canaanite Baal, meaning lord. Nebo, or Nabu was the god of learning and writing…the son of Marduk. Nebo slumps, or is in disgrace. Babylon fell in year 689 B.C., and again in 539 B.C. (Before Christ—50 years part). The prophet Isaiah is warning his people to worship the Lord God—and serve Him only—by hauling away these wooden ‘gods.’ Isaiah must have preached this warning after Babylon’s first fall, since his book was written between 740 and 680 B.C.

What a victory for the Israelites! The Babylon gods were carted away in front of those who serve the living God. Can you hear the masses cheer and dance as the wooden idols were dumped and burned?


Whether made of wood, metal, ceramic, or plastic, idols are just that—IDOLS! Whatever consumes people’s attention— including TV, iPod, or computer—are taking the place of what is supposed to be our first love. Revelation 2:4 states only one thing against the church of Ephesus. While they’ve scored highly, they had forsaken their first love—God Almighty!

Nothing, and no one is God except our Creator, Yahweh. Not even His creation is worthy of reverence and adoration. The TV program, American Idol (rightly named), makes people instant stars. Suddenly people adore the winners, overnight sensations. This shows how far we have sunk into sin and idol worship.

Everyone has ambitions, dreams, jobs. While these are all worthwhile, how do we rank their importance—compared to worship—in our lives? Where do we invest most of our time and energy? What, or who holds our attention?


Earthy pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships are vital for humans to thrive. Our heavenly Father keeps His eyes on His kids, wooing us to seek Him! He pursues us to build a relationship with, and draw closer to Him after our salvation. Oh the treasures God has in store—available in Jesus—for those who are interested! (Colossians 2:3).


Take Home Nugget

What could be more comforting to God’s kids than to sleep in sweet peace that the God Who made us, loves and cares for us? “I will carry you” He promises in Isaiah 46:4. This includes every care and worry that we face throughout our entire lifetimes!

Our job is to cast upon Him our cares; God’s work is to take care of us!

J.D. Griffith

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