The anti-idolatry polemic that is sustained throughout whole chapters of the book of Isaiah plays repeatedly on an ironic theme: that idols, made by human hands are heavy. Those who pray to them also have to carry them (נשׂא) around, often wearying themselves (יגע) in the process. Meanwhile, YHWH carries (again, נשׁא, the verbal repetition underscoring the ironic contrast) his worshippers over hill and dale.
Isaiah 57 nods in the direction of this sustained and ironic polemic, particularly with its religion-sexual parody in the chapters’s early lines.
Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your symbol; for, in deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a bargain for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have gazed on their nakedness.
You journeyed to Molech with oil, and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away, and sent down even to Sheol.
You grew weary from your many wanderings, but you did not say, ‘It is useless.’ You found your desire rekindled, and so you did not weaken.
Isaiah 57:8-10)
Then it adds a fresh feature to the picture.
When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off (ישׂא־רוח), a breath will take them away. But whoever takes refuge in me shall possess the land and inherit my holy mountain.
Isaiah 57:13 (NRSV)
It happens that Isaiah’s beleaguered, sweating idolaters who schlep their religious artifacts from one resting place to another will see them blown away like all but weightless chaff before a puff of wind.
Hand-made idols, in the Isaianic discourse, are heavy when you need them to be portable. Then weightless when you need them to hold still.
YHWH, meanwhile, welcomes home those who seek sturdy refuge in him.
This too, somewhat comically, is חזון ישעיהו—the vision of Isaiah.
Canter Bridge 
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