Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46   

SATURDAY  Reflections

Here we see God once again reminding Israel that He is not like the gods others worship. Babylon’s gods are being carried off as treasures like her people. The gods can’t help, and the people can’t rescue their gods (verse 2). Another reminder, God doesn’t need rescuing.

God had rescued them in the past. He has told them what was and is going to happen. Both of these give evidence of God without a miraculous sign. This is like today we have evidence from history both of what took place and the fulfilled prophecies. This gives us reasonable faith, not blind faith. Because if God, showed up in some unquestionable supernatural manifestation then we wouldn’t live by faith but out of fear and this isn’t what God wants it.

Isa 46:1-13

(1)  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.

(2)  They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

(3)  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:

(4)  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.

(5)  To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

(6)  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.

(7)  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.

(8)  Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

(9)  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

(10)  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:

(11)  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.

(12)  Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

(13)  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.

Photo by Daniel Páscoa on Unsplash