Isaiah 46 PEOPLE CARRY IDOLS – GOD CARRIES PEOPLE
In predicting the downfall of Babylon, the Lord, through his servant, Isaiah, describes the contrast of the idols of Babylon that were so different from the Lord God of Israel. Israelites had fallen for the deception of idolatry because of its attraction to the flesh, and also to be like all the other nations around them. This same attitude affects God’s people today in this place. For some strange reason, the Lord’s people want to dress like those who don’t know the Lord, talk the same talk, do the same things, go to the same places – and they think if they do that, the ungodly will be inclined to repent of their sins and believe the Gospel. If there is no difference between those who are going to heaven and those who are going to hell, why should the unsaved worry about it?
Bel was the chief god of the Babylonians. It was supposed to be the god of the air and land by whom people survived. Belshazzar’s name meant, “Bel, protect the king.” Nebo was idol who was supposed to be the god of science, education and writing. Nebuchadnezzar’s name meant, “Nebo, protect the boundary.” When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were taken to Babylon, and were going to be trained to take leadership roles there, the names Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meschah and Abednego were given to them so they would become idolaters like their new names suggested. Fortunately, these young men knew who they were in God’s eyes and kept their distinctiveness as true believers. It doesn’t seem like Daniel’s new name ever stuck. Even the kings called him “Daniel.” Most of the Israelites in Isaiah’s day, seemed to be uncertain as to who they served – idols or the Lord God of Israel.
Therefore, the Lord had Isaiah to write down the contrast between idols and God. He clearly pointed out the fact that graven images are just helpless baggage that must be carried by idolaters. The idols the people of Judah worshipped had to be carried into exile by those who worshipped them. In stark contrast to the powerlessness of idols, is the Lord God who carries all His people. He carried them all from birth to old age. He is all-knowing, and has all control of the future. His plans will be carried out. Commitment to our God overrides every other matter and commitment. Idols do nothing, know nothing and are nothing but the product of man’s imagination.
God is the God of the living, and He is the Living and True God. He is the One who gives and sustains all life for all of life’s span. He is the One who rescues and preserves His people. Idols can do nothing because they are only lifeless forms. Idols are made by men to reflect what man perceives himself to be. How strange and unexplainable idolatry is, and yet people persist in chasing their vain imaginations today, because it exalts them in their own eyes, and they hope, in the eyes of others.
From verse eight through eleven Isaiah wrote that God only is able to predict the future. He is the eternal God over whom time has no control. Everything is an eternal “Now” to Him. The rebellious Jews were called to remember how God had dealt with them and preserved them for many generations. They survived because God kept them alive for His own covenant purposes. In spite of their stubbornness and waywardness, after the captivity in Babylon had fulfilled its purpose and course, and brought the Jews to consider who they were and to whom they belonged, He was going to arrange that they would be freed.
The naming of Cyrus as a “bird of prey” from the east was a prophecy of Isaiah who got his message from the Lord. Cyrus was coming to “fulfill My purpose.” They would be set free, and it would not take a long time for it to happen. God’s promise is a sure hope for the future and well as a help for the present. He is near unto all who call upon Him and will save them. Idols can do nothing for anyone, but contrast that with the Lord God who not only carries His people, but is able to “abundantly save” them.
It is something to take seriously when God’s people allow anything to take the place of our Lord as the main objective of our lives. He is the One who has carried us through life from our birth to the present time. He is the One who makes provision for all of our needs. He is the One who supplies life and breath and all things. How could we ever consider anything else as important as our relationship and fellowship with Him? The Lord has all power and that power is limitless. It is controlled by God’s sovereign will and used for divine purposes. He knows all things in contrast to idols that know nothing. His own counsels decide what will be, long before it happens or is even thought of by men.
Man has been made by God to reflect His image, but not in a mere visible form. We are made with a mind so that we can rationally consider all that we can see and well as what we cannot see. We have emotions like God has so we can experience things like love, joy, praise and honor in ways that are expressed as worship from our hearts. We also have a will to be able to make choices which enable us to function in life in ways that can please God, and produce benefit for others and ourselves. It can also do the opposite.
Objective evidence of the fulfillment of prophecies like this, silence the skeptics who cannot give any explanation as to how history can be known and promises regarding the future comes to pass. There were people referred to in the last couple of verse of this chapter who were stubborn in their hearts and did not believe that God would deliver His people from Babylon. God will vindicate and deliver His people who have been oppressed and victimized for many generations. He will yet save His people and they will become the kind of nation of earthly people God intended when He first made His promise to Abraham.