Stradivarius violins are known as the best violins in the world. Famous musicians love to play them. These violins can be strong and powerful, soft and expressive, energetic and brilliant. Said one performer: “It's like a great race car. There's more power than you need and it responds to the slightest touch.” Antonio Stradivari was a master artisan who lived in northern Italy about 300 years ago. Many people have tried to imitate his unique way of crafting stringed instruments, but none have succeeded. That's one reason why “Strad” violins today are often worth millions of dollars.
Many would say that Stradivarius violins come close to musical perfection. Perfection is a rare commodity. In today's reading, Isaiah exalts God as perfect in every way. He alone is worthy of our worship. No one is like Him. He is the first and the last. His attributes include every kind of goodness and power imaginable: He is the King, the Redeemer, the Almighty. He has complete knowledge of the past, present, and future. He is the Savior, the Rock, the Creator of all. He is unfailingly righteous, truthful, and loving.
Israel, however, followed other gods. What was the so-called “competition”? Isaiah unleashed the full force of his sarcasm. The “gods” Israel preferred were sticks of wood. Through sheer chance, they had ended up on a craftsman's bench rather than as kindling for a fire. As it was, these idols were made by human hands. How, we can imagine him shouting derisively, did you come to trust in such knick-knacks to save you?
God's words are guaranteed to come true. He said conquest and exile were coming. He said there would later be a return. He said Cyrus would be summoned by name. He said that one day His kingdom will come in power and every knee will bow. And He has invited, “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth” (45:22-23; cf. Phil. 2:10-11).
posted by I love Jesus! ! ! @ Thursday, June 21, 2007
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