27th September 2026 (am) - Genesis 37:1 - 17

Now, for starters, that's a really hard truth to reconcile with the fact that you and I make free choices in life, isn't it? But is it biblical? Leaving that aside, is it biblical? And yes, it is.

And perhaps the most vivid declaration of this truth, before we even get to Joseph, is found in the prophet Isaiah.

In chapters 40 to 48 of Isaiah, we get this extended passage, which has been called the trial of the false gods.

It really bears reading.

It's a section of the book where Yahweh, the God of the Bible, summons all of the idols of the nations around them, come, and come to an imaginary court to prove your power and your divinity, idols.

It's great, isn't it? So there's several chapters of this, and it makes really interesting reading.

Here's a few of the highlights.

So near the beginning, Isaiah 41, listen to this.

This is God speaking, says, present your case, says the Lord.

Set forth your arguments, says Jacob's king.

Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen.

Tell us what the former things were so that we may consider them and know their final outcome.

Or declare to us the things to come.

Tell us what the future holds so that we may know you are gods.

Do something, whether good or bad, so that we may be dismayed and filled with fear.

But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless.

He who chooses you is detestable.

It's quite strong, isn't it? It's a good job it's God speaking, isn't it? Because we would get in trouble for saying some of this stuff about people's gods.

I love the way it even speaks.

Bring in your idols.

They can't walk, can they? Bring them in.

Roll them in.

Wheel them in.

Wheel in the idols.

Do something, he says, good or bad.