Isaiah 44:9

A DENUNCIATION OF IDOLATRY

"They that fashion a graven image are all of them vanity; and the things that they delight in shall not profit; and their own witnesses see not, nor know: that they may be put to shame. Who hath fashioned a god, or molten an image that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his fellows shall be put to shame; and the workmen, they are of men: let them be gathered together, let them stand up, they shall fear, they shall be put to shame together."

In words which again recall an imaginary court scene, God here challenges the makers of idols to gather themselves together that their foolish and sinful practice of making idols may be publicly exposed and that their advocates and makers may be put to shame together. God's denunciation will continue through Isaiah 44:20. "This extended expose was doubtless intended to strengthen the Jews against the allurements of paganism during their long captivity in Babylon."[11] The appeal of paganism was powerful indeed. Not only were the licentious rites fully attuned to the lustful desires of men's hearts; but, for ages, nations had credited their pagan idols with giving them victory in war; and weak and thoughtless men were prone to honor their claims. As an aid to captive Israel, God here, through Isaiah, sarcastically made out a devastating case against idols and the worship of them."