My wife and I shopped for furniture recently. The most difficult part of the experience was wading through the myriad options available if we ordered a new piece. Multiple wood types, various stains, fabrics of every color and hue. Thousands of options, when all I really want is something to hold my socks.

The people of Israel and Judah devolved into shopping for their gods. They picked through fascinating options promoted by the priests and shamans of surrounding lands. They crafted images of these gods, burned incense to them and prayed for their blessings. Some even sacrificed their children to these gods by burning them in divine fire.

All in a meaningless display of religious delusion.

Isaiah carried a stark message from the Lord: This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Everyone searches through the options of life to find peace or fulfillment or meaning, while some simply decide pleasure and attention are enough. Augustine famously prayed, Our hearts are restless until they can find rest in you, O God. The end we’re all looking for remains the Lord.

We can chase after fables or pretend gods or demons in disguise. As many promote, we might follow our own enlightened self. But all lead to the same dead end.

The Lord told the children of Israel—I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.

It’s ok to stop shopping.

Isaiah 43 & 44 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Yasamine June