To those who complain
1. about this grace of an undeserved election
2. and about the severity of a just reprobation,
we reply with the words of the apostle,
1. “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20),
2. and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15).

Summary

Isaiah stacks up a couple of ridiculous scenarios at the beginning of our passage which set forth questions that are obviously inappropriate. In the first one, Isaiah utilizes a well used Biblical metaphor in which a pot being formed begins to question the skill and purpose of the potter. The second scenario, which is even more jarring, has parents being insultingly questioned as to their children.

Three times the same question rings out: what in the world are you doing?!? But Isaiah here isn't just listing off a couple of social faux pas that the well manored ought to avoid. These are questions that will kill you! The one who argues with his creator is in grave danger, writes Isaiah. He goes on to warn that danger awaits those who put forth such inquiries.

If Isaiah were preaching these words rather than writing them, he'd likely pause for a few moments after laying out those examples - the awkwardness of silence often focuses the audience's attention. Then he would thunder out that famous and awesome Biblical reprise that's been translated into modern English in v11, but sounds so much better in the old King James vernacular: Thus sayeth the LORD... !

And the LORD doesn't mince words. If it's utterly ridiculous for a pot to question its shape or to ask parents what kind of monster they're bringing forth, then God demands to know how dare you question me about my children! How dare you tell me what to do with the work of my own hands!!!

Dig Deeper

Isaiah isn't responding to a hypothetical situation here. We looked at the beginning of this chapter late last year and were shocked to learn that the messiah God would raise up to save His covenant people from the exile they would experience was none other than the polytheistic, pagan King Cyrus of Persia, who is again referred to at the end of today's passage. So it makes sense that the reaction Isaiah's first readers would have had is what in the world are you doing, God?!?

Certainly the ancient Israelites haven't been the only people to ever ask such an inappropriate question of their Creator. We do it constantly; especially as we wrestle with the difficult concepts related to God's Unconditional Election of some to salvation, even as He passes over others and leaves them in the mess we created. It doesn't seem fair or right to us that God would do such a thing in which He seems to arbitrarily save a few rather than all. What in the world have you brought forth, God?!?

Interestingly, The LORD doesn't attempt to rationalize His choices or explain the intricacies of His plan here. He doesn't call for patience or remind His people that even if things look blurry now it will all makes sense in the end. Rather, He just asserts His sovereign authority. He plainly states, I made the earth, I created the people who live on it. It was me - my hands stretched out the sky. I give orders to all the heavenly lights. This 'pot' belongs to the LORD and He'll do with it as He sees fit. Period.

Now we know, as the Apostle Paul will famously conclude, that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. There is a method to what often seems to us to be madness. But that's not the reason you're given today to bite your tongue instead of firing off inappropriate questions to God. Today, in the words of the psalmist, just be still and know that the LORD is God.

AAA Prayer (About)

ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, the LORD who commands armies;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will humbly trust God's decisions and will even when you don't understand it;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: