Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker
Isaiah 45:9 He knows the end from the beginning, and His plans are always for our ultimate good.
“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker— An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?”
Isaiah 45:9 NASB1995
We’re back with the prophet Isaiah again, and when I started reading through Chapter 45 to get some background on today’s verse, I was struck with how this one verse reminds us of how God’s plan for humankind is woven into our history.
The scripture admonishes us — “earthenware vessels among the vessels of earth” — to never quarrel with our Maker. We humans have very limited understanding of God’s will, yet we always seem to question His wisdom and authority as the Creator of all.
Isaiah 45 was written about 200 years before the rise of King Cyrus of Persia, yet it not only calls the king by name, but also foretells that he will decree the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. It’s not just a lucky prediction; God was expressing His will of exactly what was to take place, using the prophet Isaiah as His scribe and voice. Cyrus, a powerful king who would vanquish many nations and have wealth beyond compare, was simply clay in the hands of his Maker and would rise and reign in accordance to His plan.
This demonstrates that God has foreknowledge of all reality and events, and shows just how futile it is to resist His will. The clay can’t tell the potter how it wants to be shaped into a vessel, nor can humans alter God’s design. Yet God doesn’t use his sovereignty in an unfeeling way. He knew that Cyrus’s work on His behalf would lead to the coming of the Messiah, and to salvation offered through Him.
The verse is an invitation to trust in God’s plan, and to rest assured that He not only knows how history will unfold for leaders and nations, but also for all who seek Him. We’ll always have uncertainties and questions, but we can be comforted knowing that the Maker is bringing around His will for the good of His people.
Isaiah 45 demonstrates God’s active and ongoing involvement in the world. Today’s verse reminds us to recognize our place as the clay in our Creator’s hands, and to yield to His masterful touch. He knows the end from the beginning, and His plans are always for our ultimate good.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, the Creator of all things. You are the potter, and we are the clay, so please forgive us when we question Your ways or doubt Your wisdom. May we always trust in Your sovereignty, especially when what is happening in the world seems confusing or challenging to us. Teach us to yield to Your purpose and to recognize that Your hands are always at work shaping our lives for Your glory. We pray this in Jesus’ name, AMEN.