Dave Burnette's Commentary

Isaiah Chapter 46

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Isaiah
Date Penned: (700-681 BC)
Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66)
Theme: Words of Comfort (c 40-66)
Message: The False god's of Babylon (v 1-13)

Isaiah 46 Commentary 

(46:1-4) Babylon - Cyrus would carry out God's judgment against Babylon. Bel was the chief deity of the Babylonians; Nebo was the god of science and learning. These "gods," however, needed animals and people to carry them around and could not even save themselves from being taken into captivity. They had no power at all. In contrast to gods that needed to be hauled around by people, our God created us and cares for us. His love is so enduring that he will care for us throughout our lifetimes, through death, and forever after. 

(46:8-11) Our God Keeps His Word - God could not be more clear in these verses--he will do what he says. Israel was tempted to waver between the Lord God and pagan gods. Isaiah affirmed the sole lordship of God. God is unique in his knowledge and in his control of the future. His consistent purpose is to carry out what he has planned. When we are tempted to pursue promises of pleasure, comfort, peace, or security apart from God, we will miss out on his perfect plan for us both now and for eternity. We must remember that he has a prior claim on us, that our ultimate allegiance is to him, and that this is to our eternal benefit. 

(46:13) Future Peace - Much of the book of Isaiah speaks of a future deliverance when we will all live with God in perfect peace. God offers not only this future hope but also help for our present needs. His righteousness is near us, and we do not have to wait for his salvation.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Useless Idols

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 46. In our text today, we see the false gods of Babylon as the Babylonians had to carry their god wherever they went. In applying, we see that false gods are just that, "false." As Isaiah proclaims, our God is the only "true" god. Instead of us carrying our God around, we see God carrying His Children. How about you? Do you see how "false" and useless idols are? Let us learn from our text today and prophesy of Isaiah to see the futility of "false" idols, how much God loves you, and that He is the only "true" God.

 

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Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46

 1Bel 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.

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

 3Hearken 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:

 4And 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.

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

 6They 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.

 7They 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.

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

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

 10Declaring 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:

 11Calling 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.

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

 13I 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.