Readings:
Isaiah 44
Proverbs 19
Romans 10

Isaiah 44

God blesses those that remain faithful to him, and declares that not only is he the highest of all, but he’s actually the only one in existence. It’s not entirely clear if Israel understood that there was no other gods besides the One who had revealed himself to their ancestors. Obviously from their behavior they believed some of the Canaanite gods to be actual deities, because it’s hard enough to imagine someone sacrificing their own child to a god, but even more so if they knew it was only a statue of bronze. But here God is declaring absolutely that he is the only uncreated being in existence. From that we can extrapolate that all other gods are at best empty statues and at worst demons.

Verses 9-17 really show how foolish it is to create something with your own hands and then worship it as if it’s a god. You’re the one who made it, and yet you give it praise!?

Romans 10

Paul reiterates his desire to see all of Israel saved because they are his kin, but he also stresses that belief in Jesus is necessary. He says that an inward conversion of the heart, and an outward expression of your faith are needed to be saved. He keeps stressing that all peoples are eligible for this free gift of salvation, regardless of ancestry or ethnicity, but there’s also a touch of sadness here because of how many times God has revealed himself to Israel and how many times they’ve rejected his offer of friendship and kinship.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
Isaiah 45
Proverbs 20
Romans 11