Isaiah 44:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall it be for a man {H120} to burn {H1197}: for he will take {H3947} thereof, and warm {H2552} himself; yea, he kindleth {H5400} it, and baketh {H644} bread {H3899}; yea, he maketh {H6466} a god {H410}, and worshippeth {H7812} it; he maketh {H6213} it a graven image {H6459}, and falleth down {H5456} thereto.

Complete Jewish Bible

In time, when it's ready for use as fuel, he takes some of it to keep himself warm and burns some more to bake bread. Then he makes a god and worships it, carves it into an idol and falls down before it.

Berean Standard Bible

It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread; he even fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

American Standard Version

Then shall it be for a man to burn; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 44:15 delivers a profound and cutting indictment against the spiritual absurdity and utter futility of idolatry. Through a masterful use of satire and vivid imagery, the prophet Isaiah exposes the inherent contradiction of human beings who take a single tree, use part of it for mundane, life-sustaining purposes like fuel for warmth and baking bread, and then, with another portion of the very same tree, fashion an object of worship, bowing down to it as if it were a god. This passage powerfully underscores the incomparable sovereignty and self-existent nature of the one true God, starkly contrasting His eternal power and life-giving essence with the lifeless, man-made nature of idols, thereby challenging the profound spiritual blindness and self-deception of those who place their trust in created things rather than the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 44:15 is strategically positioned within a larger, relentless prophetic discourse (Isaiah 44:9-20) that systematically satirizes and condemns the practice of idol worship. This section forms a crucial part of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a collection of prophecies primarily aimed at the exiled people of Judah, offering them divine assurance of God's unwavering faithfulness and future restoration, while simultaneously confronting their persistent tendencies toward idolatry. The verses immediately preceding Isaiah 44:15, particularly [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - God's Uniqueness and Sovereignty") and [Isaiah 44:8](/isaiah/44-8 "Isaiah 44:8 - No God Besides Me"), emphatically declare God's unique identity as the "first and the last," the sole Creator, and the only Savior. This divine self-declaration sets the stage for the stark, almost comical, contrast with the utter impotence and foolishness of idols that follows. The passage culminates in the poignant declaration that such worship is a profound "delusion," a "deceived heart" leading one astray, unable to "deliver his soul" ([Isaiah 44:20](/isaiah/44-20 "Isaiah 44:20 - A Deceived Heart Cannot Deliver Itself")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Israel's history (8th century BCE), when the nation was constantly exposed to and often succumbed to the pervasive polytheistic practices of surrounding Near Eastern nations. These cultures worshipped numerous deities, often represented by physical idols crafted from wood, stone, or metal. Despite the explicit and foundational commands of the Mosaic Law against idolatry, such as those found in [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments"), the people of Israel frequently adopted these foreign religious customs. The historical context of the Babylonian exile, which Isaiah foresaw and addressed, would further immerse the Israelites in the elaborate and entrenched idolatry of Babylon, making Isaiah's message of God's sole sovereignty and the folly of idols particularly poignant and relevant to their future circumstances. The vivid description of using wood for both practical purposes (heating, cooking) and idol-making reflects common ancient practices where wood was a ubiquitous and essential resource for daily life, rendering the prophet's critique relatable, tangible, and devastatingly cutting.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Isaiah 44:15 is the **absurdity and profound folly of idolatry**, which the prophet exposes with biting satire. Isaiah meticulously contrasts the **living, sovereign, and incomparable God** with lifeless, impotent objects fashioned by human hands, thereby emphasizing God's **unique omnipotence and self-existence**. The passage also powerfully highlights the theme of **spiritual blindness and self-deception**, as the idolater, despite their own agency in creating the object, fails to recognize the inherent contradiction in worshipping something they themselves made, from which they can derive no true sustenance, salvation, or divine intervention. This serves as a powerful and urgent call to **exclusive worship of the one true God**, who alone is worthy of devotion and uniquely capable of delivering His people from bondage and fulfilling His redemptive purposes, as seen in the broader context of God's steadfast love and plan for Israel outlined in passages like [Isaiah 43:1-7](/isaiah/43-1-7 "Isaiah 43:1-7 - God's Promise to Israel's Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_):** (H120) This term refers to a human being, an individual, or the species of mankind. In this context, it pointedly highlights the human agency involved in the creation of the idol, underscoring the profound irony that the worshipper is the very maker of the object being worshipped. It emphasizes the creature worshipping the creation of his own hands, rather than the transcendent Creator from whom all life and sustenance flow.
* **god (Hebrew, _ʼêl'_):** (H410) This word fundamentally denotes strength or might, and while it can refer to the Almighty God, it is also used more broadly for any deity or idol. Here, it is employed ironically to describe the man-made object that is elevated to divine status, creating a stark contrast with the true, mighty, and living God. The application of this weighty term to a carved piece of wood underscores the profound spiritual delusion and misdirection of human worship.
* **worshippeth (Hebrew, _shâchâh'_):** (H7812) A primitive root meaning "to depress" or "to prostrate oneself," especially in homage to royalty or, more significantly, to God. Its application here to the act of bowing down before a man-made idol vividly highlights the misdirection of true reverence, ultimate devotion, and humble submission. The physical act of prostration underscores the deep spiritual perversion of idolatry, where the creature offers ultimate homage to a lifeless, powerless object of its own making.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself;"**: This opening clause immediately introduces the practical, mundane, and entirely utilitarian use of wood. A man takes a portion of a tree, processes it, and uses it as fuel for fire, demonstrating its simple utility for basic human needs like warmth and comfort. This sets the stage for the stark and absurd contrast that is about to be revealed.
* **"yea, he kindleth [it], and baketh bread;"**: This continues and expands upon the theme of the wood's practical utility. The same wood, or another portion from the very same tree, is used to ignite a fire for cooking, specifically for baking bread—a fundamental act of sustenance essential for daily life. This emphasizes the vital and life-sustaining role of the wood in providing warmth, nourishment, and comfort.
* **"yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth [it];"**: Here, the profound irony, spiritual blindness, and sheer absurdity of idolatry are laid bare. After using parts of the tree for essential daily needs, the man takes yet another portion of the very same tree and fashions it into an object he designates as a "god." The act of "making" highlights the human origin and manufactured nature of the idol, while "worshippeth" signifies the misdirection of ultimate devotion, reverence, and spiritual allegiance.
* **"he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto."**: This final clause powerfully reiterates the human effort involved in creating the idol ("graven image," _pesel_, often carved from wood or stone) and the subsequent act of prostration ("falleth down thereto"). It underscores the complete spiritual blindness and self-deception, as the creator bows before his own creation, attributing divine power, efficacy, and authority to a lifeless, inert object that is utterly dependent on human hands for its very form and existence.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah employs several powerful literary devices to convey his scathing critique of idolatry and to underscore its inherent foolishness. The primary device is **Irony**, where the same piece of wood is simultaneously used for trivial, practical, and utterly mundane purposes (providing warmth, baking bread) and then elevated to the status of a divine being, an object of worship. This inherent and glaring contradiction exposes the profound absurdity and spiritual bankruptcy of idolatry. Closely related is **Satire**, as the prophet's tone is one of biting mockery and ridicule, designed to highlight the utter foolishness and self-deception of those who engage in such practices. There is also a strong element of **Contrast**, pitting the living, all-powerful, and self-existent God against the lifeless, impotent, and man-made idols fashioned by human hands. Finally, the passage utilizes **Repetition** of key actions like "maketh" and "falleth down," which serves to reinforce the active human agency in both the creation and the worship of the idol, further emphasizing the profound self-deception and misdirection of devotion involved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 44:15 stands as a profound theological statement on the very nature of God and the inherent folly of false worship. It powerfully asserts the absolute uniqueness, self-existence, and sovereign transcendence of Yahweh, the God of Israel, by exposing the utter impotence, absurdity, and spiritual bankruptcy of idols. The passage unequivocally underscores that true divinity cannot be manufactured or brought into being by human hands; rather, it must be transcendent, self-existent, and the ultimate source of all creation and life. This scathing critique of idolatry is not merely confined to physical statues but extends broadly to anything that usurps God's rightful place in the human heart—any created thing, concept, or pursuit that becomes the ultimate object of trust, devotion, security, or identity. The prophet issues a timeless call to humanity to recognize the inherent contradiction in worshipping that which is dependent on human effort for its existence, rather than directing all worship and trust to the independent, all-sufficient, and all-sustaining Creator.

* [Deuteronomy 4:28](/deuteronomy/4-28 "Deuteronomy 4:28 - Idols Made by Human Hands")
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Impotence of Idols and Those Who Make Them")
* [Romans 1:22-23](/romans/1-22-23 "Romans 1:22-23 - Exchanging the Glory of God for Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While contemporary societies may not commonly engage in the carving of physical idols from wood, the enduring spiritual principle embedded in Isaiah 44:15 remains profoundly relevant and convicting. We are perpetually tempted to place our ultimate trust, devotion, hope, and security in created things rather than in the Creator. This pervasive tendency can manifest as the insidious worship of wealth, power, status, comfort, technology, personal achievements, physical appearance, or even human relationships. Anything that consumes our primary allegiance, provides our ultimate sense of security, or defines our deepest value and identity apart from God becomes a functional idol in our lives. This powerful verse calls us to a radical and honest self-examination: What do we truly "burn" for, dedicating our passion and energy? What do we "warm ourselves with," seeking comfort and security? What do we rely on for our "daily bread," both literally and figuratively, for sustenance and provision? And what do we ultimately "bow down to," giving our most precious time, energy, resources, and adoration? True spiritual freedom, flourishing, and abundant life come only from recognizing God as the sole source of all good things and directing our worship, trust, and devotion exclusively to Him, understanding that only He can truly satisfy, sustain, and save us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wood" in my life am I using for practical purposes, yet subtly or overtly elevating to a position of ultimate trust or devotion?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways do I seek security, comfort, identity, or fulfillment from created things rather than from God alone?**
* **How do my daily schedule, spending habits, priorities, and thought life truly reflect what I ultimately worship and value?**
* **What concrete steps can I take to intentionally re-center my devotion, trust, and affections solely on the living and true God?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary message of Isaiah 44:15?**

Answer: The primary message of Isaiah 44:15 is a scathing and satirical critique of the absurdity and spiritual blindness inherent in idolatry. It vividly illustrates the profound contradiction of a person using the same material (wood) for mundane, life-sustaining purposes (like warmth and baking bread) while simultaneously transforming another portion of it into an object of worship. The verse highlights the utter impotence of man-made idols in stark contrast to the incomparable power, self-existence, and sovereignty of the one true God, emphasizing that anything created by human hands cannot be divine. It serves as a powerful call to recognize God's unique identity as the sole Creator and worthy object of worship, a theme articulated throughout [Isaiah 44](/isaiah/44 "Isaiah 44 - God's Uniqueness and Deliverance").

**How does this verse apply to modern life, given that most people don't carve wooden idols today?**

Answer: While the literal carving of physical wooden idols may be less common in many modern societies, the spiritual principle of Isaiah 44:15 remains deeply relevant and profoundly applicable. Modern idolatry often takes more subtle, yet equally destructive, forms. An idol is anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts, becoming the ultimate object of our trust, devotion, or source of security. This can include the relentless pursuit of wealth, power, status, comfort, technology, personal achievements, physical appearance, or even human relationships. If these things become the ultimate source of our security, identity, meaning, or happiness, we are effectively "bowing down" to them, just as the ancient idolater did. The verse challenges us to critically examine what we truly depend on, what we devote our primary energy and affection to, and what we believe will ultimately sustain us, reminding us that true fulfillment, lasting security, and salvation come only from the living God, not from anything we create, possess, or achieve, as warned in passages like [1 John 5:21](/1-john/5-21 "1 John 5:21 - Keep Yourselves from Idols").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 44:15, with its sharp and satirical critique of man-made idols, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The passage powerfully exposes the inherent futility and spiritual bankruptcy of worshipping anything created, implicitly pointing to the desperate human need for a God who is not fashioned by human hands but who is Himself the eternal Creator. Jesus Christ is uniquely revealed as the visible image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), the very radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His divine nature ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Unlike the lifeless idols that are deaf, blind, and utterly powerless to hear, see, or save, Christ is the living God who speaks with authority, acts with omnipotence, and delivers with unfailing grace. He is the one true object of worship, deserving of all adoration and devotion because He is not a creation, but the co-eternal Son who participated intimately in the act of creation itself ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ delivers us from the spiritual blindness and bondage of all forms of idolatry, whether overt or subtle, enabling us to turn from dead idols to serve the living and true God ([1 Thessalonians 1:9-10](/1-thessalonians/1-9-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - Turning from Idols to Serve God")). In Him, we find true warmth, ultimate sustenance, and the eternal bread of life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), thereby fulfilling the very needs and desires that the ancient idolater vainly sought from a mere piece of wood.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 25:14

¶ Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up [to be] his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

Isaiah 45:20

¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.

Judges 2:19

And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, [that] they returned, and corrupted [themselves] more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

Isaiah 44:10

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

Revelation 9:20

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: