"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides Me, there is no god. Who is like Me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before Me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from old and declared it? And you are My witnesses! Is there a god besides Me? There is no rock; I know not any'" (Isaiah 44:6-8).
The Bible strongly contrasts the triune God who truly lives with all of the false deities that men have created. This passage goes on to ridicule the pagan, who uses half of a piece of wood to bake his bread, and the other half to carve into an idol. Then this creation of his own the pagan then asks for help in his life. And I think any rational man must agree with that assessment of paganism. As the Bible describes it, worshiping the creature in place of the Creator (Romans 1:25).
And this is no accident, but is, rather, a part of God's plan: "They know not, nor do they discern, for He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot understand" (Isaiah 44:18; compare 45:15 and Matthew 13:11). For men to be blinded in unbelief is part of God's determination in prehistory. It is the reprobate side of God's sovereign grace.
The prophet continues: "I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me, there is no god" (Isaiah 45:5), and "There is no other god besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides Me" (verses 21-22).
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