Section 114 of 17444:9–20Isaiah

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King James VersionIsaiah 44:9–20

They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Italic words were supplied in the English translation for clarity.

Scripture text: King James Version, Standardized 1769 text. Public domain in the United States.About this Bible text

Isaiah 44:9–20

The Idol Maker Uses One Tree for Fuel and Worship

Half the log cooks supper

The satire slows down until it is almost comedy, then it is not. Craftsmen are only human; they hunger and tire. A tree is planted, grown, cut. Part of it becomes fire for bread and meat. The rest is shaped into a god, and the maker prays, rescue me. A deluded heart has fed on ashes and cannot say, is there a lie in my right hand?

The target is the lie that what we manufacture can save us. It is not a permit for contempt toward other peoples, and it is not an anti-science rant. Skill is not the problem. Worship of the skill's product is. The maker cannot save the statue, and the statue cannot save the maker.

Why the cooking fire? Because idolatry is often ordinary, domestic, and half-conscious. Life with this unit is to notice the logs we split: the tools, brands, parties, and even ministries we carve and then beg to rescue us. Do not claim that a crafted religious system—ancient or ours—controls God.

How this should shape us

Notice the ordinary log you split: the tool, brand, or ministry you fashion and then beg to rescue you. Skill is not the sin; worship of the product is.

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Explain Isaiah 44:9–20 in your own words. Name its place in Isaiah, one source-controlled observation, one uncertainty, one enduring truth, and one harmful use the passage does not authorize.

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King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006

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Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible: Isaiah

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Open Scriptures MorphHB v2.2, commit 6a5db284c715c18b239422e57bb89684e6a19f00, wlc/Isa.xml, OSIS 44:9–20 with Hebrew/KJV versification difference checked

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Official NET Isaiah PDF, translator, study, and textual notes attached to Isaiah 44:9–20 in the complete 205-page book PDF

Second Isaiah study-guide course

Supports: Babylonian-exile and Persian horizons, new exodus, Cyrus, servant figures, Daughter Zion, nations, suffering, and transition to plural servants.

Yale Bible Study, Second Isaiah course, Vindication and Deliverance guide on Isaiah 41:1-44:23; applied to Isaiah 44:9–20

Isaiah course: summary, outline, background, introductory issues, themes, and reception

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Enter the Bible Isaiah course, Outline Book 2A-2B, Background, Introductory Issues, and Themes; applied to Isaiah 44:9–20

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Exact location: Yale Bible Study, Second Isaiah course, Vindication and Deliverance guide on Isaiah 41:1-44:23; applied to Isaiah 44:9–20

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Exact location: Enter the Bible Isaiah course, Outline Book 2A-2B, Background, Introductory Issues, and Themes; applied to Isaiah 44:9–20

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