Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Isaiah 46 presents a powerful contrast between the impotence of idols and the omnipotence of the one true God, Yahweh. This chapter, rich in theological significance, serves as both a condemnation of idolatry and a comforting reassurance of God's unwavering care for His people. It underscores God’s sovereignty, His ability to foretell and fulfill His plans, and His enduring commitment to those who trust in Him.
Bel and Nebo: A Study in Powerlessness (Isaiah 46:1-4)
The chapter opens with the humbling spectacle of Babylonian deities, Bel and Nebo, brought low. These gods, likely representations of Marduk and his son, were central to Babylonian worship. However, Isaiah reveals their utter helplessness. They are not majestic figures dispensing blessings, but burdens that must be carried on carts. Isaiah 46:1 states, "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden." This imagery highlights the absurdity of idolatry: gods who cannot even carry themselves are hardly capable of helping their worshippers.
The contrast is stark when compared to the God of Israel. While the Babylonians struggle to transport their inert deities, Yahweh has been carrying His people since their birth. Isaiah 46:3-4 proclaims, "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." This passage offers profound comfort: God's care is not conditional or fleeting, but a lifelong commitment, a promise of unwavering support from the womb to the grave. This begs the question: Whom would you rather serve, an idol that needs to be carried or a God who carries you?
The Absurdity of Idolatry (Isaiah 46:5-7)
Isaiah continues to expose the folly of idolatry, challenging his audience to find any comparison between the living God and lifeless idols. "To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?" (Isaiah 46:5). The process of creating and worshipping idols is presented as a ridiculous exercise. People melt gold and silver, hire a craftsman to fashion it into an image, and then bow down and worship it. Yet, this god is deaf and mute, unable to answer prayers or offer any real assistance. As Isaiah 46:7 wryly observes, "They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles."
God's Unmatched Sovereignty (Isaiah 46:8-11)
In contrast to the impotence of idols, Isaiah emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and His unique ability to declare the future. Isaiah 46:9-10 boldly proclaims, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" This declaration is a cornerstone of Isaiah's message: God's plans are not subject to human whim or chance; they are certain to come to pass. He knows the end from the beginning and possesses the power to bring His purposes to fruition.
This knowledge of the future is not merely passive observation; it is active control. God's plan for the universe was established in eternity past, predating human sin and any potential disruption. His sovereignty extends to all things, ensuring that His will is ultimately accomplished. This doesn't negate human responsibility, but rather frames it within the context of God's larger purpose. We are called to live righteously, and God uses our obedience (or even our disobedience) to further His ultimate plan.
God's sovereignty is further illustrated by His use of Cyrus, the Persian king, as an instrument to fulfill His purposes. Isaiah 46:11 states, "From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." God calls Cyrus, a man from a distant land, to punish Babylon and liberate the Jewish people. This demonstrates God's ability to use even unlikely individuals to accomplish His will, highlighting the scope and power of His divine plan.
Salvation Assured (Isaiah 46:12-13)
The chapter concludes with a message of hope and assurance for God's people. Even the "stubborn of heart," those resistant to God's will, cannot escape His justice. However, for those who trust in Him, salvation is near. Isaiah 46:13 declares, "I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel." God's salvation is not a distant promise, but an imminent reality. He is bringing His righteousness near, offering redemption and restoration to His people.
Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Isaiah 46 presents a powerful contrast between the impotence of idols and the omnipotence of the one true God, Yahweh. This chapter, rich in theological significance, serves as both a condemnation of idolatry and a comforting reassurance of God's unwavering care for His people. It underscores God’s sovereignty, His ability to foretell and fulfill His plans, and His enduring commitment to those who trust in Him.
Bel and Nebo: A Study in Powerlessness (Isaiah 46:1-4)
The chapter opens with the humbling spectacle of Babylonian deities, Bel and Nebo, brought low. These gods, likely representations of Marduk and his son, were central to Babylonian worship. However, Isaiah reveals their utter helplessness. They are not majestic figures dispensing blessings, but burdens that must be carried on carts. Isaiah 46:1 states, "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden." This imagery highlights the absurdity of idolatry: gods who cannot even carry themselves are hardly capable of helping their worshippers.
The contrast is stark when compared to the God of Israel. While the Babylonians struggle to transport their inert deities, Yahweh has been carrying His people since their birth. Isaiah 46:3-4 proclaims, "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." This passage offers profound comfort: God's care is not conditional or fleeting, but a lifelong commitment, a promise of unwavering support from the womb to the grave. This begs the question: Whom would you rather serve, an idol that needs to be carried or a God who carries you?
The Absurdity of Idolatry (Isaiah 46:5-7)
Isaiah continues to expose the folly of idolatry, challenging his audience to find any comparison between the living God and lifeless idols. "To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?" (Isaiah 46:5). The process of creating and worshipping idols is presented as a ridiculous exercise. People melt gold and silver, hire a craftsman to fashion it into an image, and then bow down and worship it. Yet, this god is deaf and mute, unable to answer prayers or offer any real assistance. As Isaiah 46:7 wryly observes, "They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles."
God's Unmatched Sovereignty (Isaiah 46:8-11)
In contrast to the impotence of idols, Isaiah emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and His unique ability to declare the future. Isaiah 46:9-10 boldly proclaims, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" This declaration is a cornerstone of Isaiah's message: God's plans are not subject to human whim or chance; they are certain to come to pass. He knows the end from the beginning and possesses the power to bring His purposes to fruition.
This knowledge of the future is not merely passive observation; it is active control. God's plan for the universe was established in eternity past, predating human sin and any potential disruption. His sovereignty extends to all things, ensuring that His will is ultimately accomplished. This doesn't negate human responsibility, but rather frames it within the context of God's larger purpose. We are called to live righteously, and God uses our obedience (or even our disobedience) to further His ultimate plan.
God's sovereignty is further illustrated by His use of Cyrus, the Persian king, as an instrument to fulfill His purposes. Isaiah 46:11 states, "From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." God calls Cyrus, a man from a distant land, to punish Babylon and liberate the Jewish people. This demonstrates God's ability to use even unlikely individuals to accomplish His will, highlighting the scope and power of His divine plan.
Salvation Assured (Isaiah 46:12-13)
The chapter concludes with a message of hope and assurance for God's people. Even the "stubborn of heart," those resistant to God's will, cannot escape His justice. However, for those who trust in Him, salvation is near. Isaiah 46:13 declares, "I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel." God's salvation is not a distant promise, but an imminent reality. He is bringing His righteousness near, offering redemption and restoration to His people.