Isa 46:1-7 | KingComments | STEP | With this chapter there is a change of subject. Now there will follow three prophecies about the idolatry in Babylon. However, there is a connection with the previous chapters because the prophet has foretold what Israel can expect through the arousing and service of Cyrus. Now Isaiah is going to show what Cyrus will do to Babylon, making the powerlessness of Babylon and its idols clear. This Persian ruler will be the instrument in the hand of the LORD to judge the gods of Babylon. At the same time, the three prophecies contain things that are still future in connection with Israel, and are an exhortation to God’s people to keep themselves completely free from idolatry. The first prophecy is in this chapter, the second is in Isaiah 47 and the third is in Isaiah 48. The first deals with the gods, the second with Babylon itself, and the third with those who are delivered out of Babylon and depart from it. The third and final prophecy finds its full fulfillment in the end time, when God’s people are called to depart from the prophetic Babylon, the religious system in the end time ( ). That system is recognizable to us in the professing Christianity with papacy at its head. The main gods of Babylon – Bel and Nebo ( ) – are presented as gods who succumb. “Bel” means ‘lord’. It is the title of Enlil, the father of the gods, and later of Marduk, the god of the city of Babylon, similar to the idol Jupiter of the Romans. Bel is represented by a large human image with the horns of a bull. The image speaks of ‘worldly power’. “Nebo” is one of the main idols, similar to the idol Mercury of the Romans. It is the god of writers and intelligence. He is the son of Marduk and the protector of the royal family. It represents ‘worldly wisdom’. Their names can be found in names of persons like Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar. “The beasts” that carry them, such as camels and elephants, collapse, as well as “the cattle” on which they are loaded, such as horses and donkeys. In spite of all efforts, these gods do not reach the place where they are supposed to be brought to be safe. Instead of being carried around in a procession to their honor – a ritual that takes place every year with New Year – they become a booty of the conqueror ( ). They fell into the hands of their enemy Cyrus and could not be saved. That shows how impotent they are. They could not save themselves, let alone save others.

‏ Isaiah 46:1-7

Introduction

With this chapter there is a change of subject. Now there will follow three prophecies about the idolatry in Babylon. However, there is a connection with the previous chapters because the prophet has foretold what Israel can expect through the arousing and service of Cyrus. Now Isaiah is going to show what Cyrus will do to Babylon, making the powerlessness of Babylon and its idols clear. This Persian ruler will be the instrument in the hand of the LORD to judge the gods of Babylon.

At the same time, the three prophecies contain things that are still future in connection with Israel, and are an exhortation to God’s people to keep themselves completely free from idolatry. The first prophecy is in this chapter, the second is in Isaiah 47 and the third is in Isaiah 48. The first deals with the gods, the second with Babylon itself, and the third with those who are delivered out of Babylon and depart from it.

The third and final prophecy finds its full fulfillment in the end time, when God’s people are called to depart from the prophetic Babylon, the religious system in the end time (Rev 18:4). That system is recognizable to us in the professing Christianity with papacy at its head.

Idols Have to Be Carried

The main gods of Babylon – Bel and Nebo (Isa 46:1) – are presented as gods who succumb. “Bel” means ‘lord’. It is the title of Enlil, the father of the gods, and later of Marduk, the god of the city of Babylon, similar to the idol Jupiter of the Romans. Bel is represented by a large human image with the horns of a bull. The image speaks of ‘worldly power’. “Nebo” is one of the main idols, similar to the idol Mercury of the Romans. It is the god of writers and intelligence. He is the son of Marduk and the protector of the royal family. It represents ‘worldly wisdom’. Their names can be found in names of persons like Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar.

“The beasts” that carry them, such as camels and elephants, collapse, as well as “the cattle” on which they are loaded, such as horses and donkeys. In spite of all efforts, these gods do not reach the place where they are supposed to be brought to be safe. Instead of being carried around in a procession to their honor – a ritual that takes place every year with New Year – they become a booty of the conqueror (Isa 46:2). They fell into the hands of their enemy Cyrus and could not be saved. That shows how impotent they are. They could not save themselves, let alone save others.

The LORD Bears His People

The rest of the chapter consists of three admonitions. The first is to Israel (Isa 46:3-7), the second to the apostates of the people, those connected with the idolaters (Isa 46:8-11), the third to the rebellious (Isa 46:12-13).

The first admonition reminds the people of their unique origins and support. As the seed of Abraham, they were formed and have been carried by God (Deu 1:31 ; Deu 32:11-12) and He has cared for them from their earliest days (Isa 46:3). That is the past. As for the future, He is the Unchanging. He promises that He will carry them (Isa 46:4), a great contrast to the gods of Babylon that must be carried (Isa 46:1-2) and are unable to help and carry their servants.

It is the Lord Jesus Who “upholds all things by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3). He it is Who “Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross” (1Pet 2:24). And it is also He Who as the High Priest now carries us on His shoulders and on His chest (cf. Exo 28:12-29). God bore His people on eagles’ wings and brought them to Himself (Exo 19:4). It is an encouragement for the remnant to whom the LORD assures that His care for them will not fail in their exercises, no matter how long they take, no matter how old they get. It is also an encouragement for every old believer in our time.

The question today is also: Do we carry the things we idolize or does God carry us? Idols like money and pleasure do not give support and outcome when life ends. Nor can they carry us through the difficulties. But those who know God, revealed in Jesus Christ, are carried by Him to and beyond the end of life to be with Him forever.

The Idols Mocked

Is this God to be compared with someone or is there something to be equated with Him (Isa 46:5)? To ask the question is to answer it. Place any idol beside Him and the foolishness to invest money in that god and call upon him will become clear (Isa 46:6-7). It does not matter if it is a god of gold for the rich or a god of wood for the poor, because what is the use of a god you have to carry with you and lug him around? God ridicules the gods and those who lug with them around. Putting your hope in such gods is the stupidest thing you can do.