Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals:
Friday September 5 2025
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Isaiah 41:21-24 (CEV)-I am the LORD, the King of Israel! Come argue your case with me. Present your evidence. 22 Come near me, you idols. Tell us about the past, and we will think about it. Tell us about the future, so we will know what is going to happen. 23 Prove that you are gods by making your predictions come true. Do something good or evil, so we can be amazed and terrified. 24 You idols are nothing, and you are powerless. To worship you would be disgusting.
Many people today worship and serve various gods. The Hindu faith, for example, boasts over sixty million gods and goddesses!
Many are unaware that the Bible not only discusses the existence of other gods, but it also shows us the ways to test them!
Here are some Scriptures which testify to the existence of other gods:
Exodus 12:12- For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Exodus 15:11-Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Exodus 18:11-Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.”
Deuteronomy 32:17-They sacrificed to demons, not to God, To gods they did not know, To new gods, new arrivals That your fathers did not fear.
Psalm 82:1-God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.
1 Corinthians 8:5-6-For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
Yet doesn’t the Bible say that there are “no other” gods but Jehovah?
For example:
Deuteronomy 4:35-To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.
Deuteronomy 4:39-Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
Deuteronomy 32:39-Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
Isaiah 44:6-6 “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.
Isaiah 44:8-Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.‘
Both sets of Scriptures are true.
As Heiser elaborates:
“Another misguided strategy is to argue that statements in the Old Testament that have God saying “there is none besides me” mean that no other elohim exist. This isn’t the case. These phrases do not contradict Psalm 82 or others that, for example, say Yahweh is above all elohim or is the “God of gods [ elohim ].” I’ve written a lot on this subject—it was a focus of my doctoral dissertation. 12 These “denial statements,” as they are called by scholars, do not assert that there are no other elohim . In fact, some of them are found in chapters where the reality of other elohim is affirmed. We’ve already seen that Deuteronomy 32:17 refers to elohim that Paul believed existed. Deuteronomy 32:8–9 also refers to the sons of God. Deuteronomy 4:19–20 is a parallel to that passage, and yet Deuteronomy 4:35 says there is no god besides Yahweh. Is Scripture filled with contradictions? No. These “denial statements” do not deny that other elohim exist. Rather, they deny that any elohim compares to Yahweh. They are statements of incomparability. This point is easily illustrated by noticing where else the same denial language shows up in the Bible. Isaiah 47:8 and Zephaniah 2:15 have, respectively, Babylon and Nineveh saying “there is none besides me.” Are we to believe that the point of the phrase is to declare that no other cities exist except Babylon or Nineveh? That would be absurd. The point of the statement is that Babylon and Nineveh considered themselves incomparable , as though no other city could measure up to them. This is precisely the point when these same phrases are used of other gods—they cannot measure up to Yahweh. The Bible does not contradict itself on this point. Those who want to argue that the other elohim do not exist are at odds with the supernatural worldview of the biblical writers.” (Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible, 579-596 (Kindle Edition); Bellingham, WA; Lexham Press)
The Bible here in Isaiah teaches us how to “test” these beings who claim to be gods. God challenges the gods to prove that they are really Divine by showing the future to the people. God must be infinite, or unlimited, by anything outside of His Nature. If God were limited by something outside of Himself, He would then really just be another part of the created universe and would need an outside explanation for His existence. That is why God must be infinite. Any being claiming to be God that is limited by time and space is therefore a liar.
So, God challenges the “gods” to prove their Deity by showing the future.
They can’t do it, which means that they aren’t really Divine!
Indeed, I am reminded of a Bible study I had with some folks years ago over General Tso’s chicken. They were well respected members of our community, and she taught Sunday school at a denominational church in the area. Unbeknownst to her church, she also worshipped the Egyptian gods, while her husband worshipped the Norse gods. While we were studying, I asked them what proof they had that their gods were really Divine and not just created beings. I asked, for example, if their gods could provide detailed information about the future which was then shown to be fulfilled. She told me that their gods couldn’t do that, and I held up my Bible and said, “Our God can, and does!”
Isn’t that what God declares through Isaiah time after time?
Isaiah 42:9 (CEV)-Everything has happened just as I said it would; now I will announce what will happen next.
Isaiah 44:7-8 (CEV)-Can anyone compare with me? If so, let them speak up and tell me now. Let them say what has happened since I made my nation long ago, and let them tell what is going to happen. 8 Don’t tremble with fear! Didn’t I tell you long ago? Didn’t you hear me? I alone am God— no one else is a mighty rock.
Isaiah 46:10 (CEV)-From the very beginning, I told what would happen long before it took place. I kept my word.
The Bible is filled with prophecies that were fulfilled hundreds-sometimes even thousands-of years later. We have thousands of manuscripts showing that the prophecies were made well before their fulfillment.
Now, what to take away from all of this?
First, the Bible has many powerful evidences to show that it is the Word of God. These not only fortify our faith, but also serve as a powerful proof in sharing with our friends and neighbors as to how we know that the Holy Scriptures truly are inspired of God, as they claim (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Second, the other gods and goddesses are shown to not only exist, but to be inferior to the one true God of creation. This is one reason why God calls on them to repent and serve Him again (Psalm 97:6-7).
Third, we can take great comfort in knowing that God foresees the future. This is because God has promised that His people will triumph over the world and its wickedness!
Romans 8:18-For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Christian, don’t lose heart!
Lord, thank You for Your Word that truly guides us in this dark often dark and difficult journey of life. We praise You for being the one true God. Build our faith as we learn more of the proofs that You have given, and help us to share those with others. Amen.
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