Isaiah 46:1-13

A chapter by chapter verse by verse study of the Old Testament book of Isaiah
We are continuing our chapter by chapter of the book of Isaiah, a treasure trove of wisdom and prophetic insight! Chapter 46, we will see another glimpse into the steadfastness of God amidst the frequent changes of human history. In this chapter, we find the prophet Isaiah reminding the Israelites of God's unwavering power and sovereignty, contrasting it with the worthless idols crafted by human hands. Once again he is contrasting the stupidity of idolatry.
Historically, this chapter is at a time when the Babylonian Empire was on the rise, posing a threat to the kingdom of Judah. Isaiah reminds us of the vanity of trusting in man-made gods and the ultimate triumph of the one true God. As the people of Judah faced uncertainty and fear, Isaiah's words served as a comforting reminder that God's plans will always prevail, no matter the challenges they may face.
The chapter breaks down like this:
The Lord mocks false Gods (Isaiah 46:1-2)
The false gods are carried away. God taunts the idols of Babylon, challenging them to prove their power.
The true God, will carry His people. (Isaiah 3-4)
God highlights His superiority over the useless idols, emphasizing His ability to carry His people from birth to old age.
The Lord saves His people, idols are helpless. (Isaiah 5-7)
You can cry out, save me! help me! But the idol can’t hear, and therefore cannot answer, or come to your aid. It’s foolish.
The Lord knows the beginning and the end. (Isaiah 8-10)
Assurance: God reassures His people of His faithfulness and steadfast love, urging them to remember His power and promises.
The Lord will bring a deliver to Zion. (Isaiah 11-13)
The chapter ends with a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of relying on anything other than Him. He will be faithful to fulfill His word.
So, as we dive into Isaiah chapter 46, let’s be encouraged by the timeless truths it holds, knowing that just as God sustained His people in ancient times, He continues to uphold and guide us through our own modern-day struggles.
In Isaiah 46 we see the deceit of the idols of Babylon and we get a sharp contrast between the true and living God, the eternal God who created the heavens and the earth, and the false gods that these people were worshiping. And God denounces all of this.
The tragic thing is that these people were the Children of Israel, God’s people. They were the descendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. They had turned to idolatry, and as we read the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah you will see that the prophets are crying out against the idolatry of the people. Warning them that their continued idolatry would bring upon them the judgement of God. Using Babylon as His instrument of judgement, and that they would be going into captivity as a result of their idolatry.
You may remember that Jeremiah cried out, “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have hewn out or carved out cisterns for themselves, broken cracked cisterns that can hold no water.” Men will always worship something, men will believe in something. They must, every man has a god. But the majority of religious systems hold no water at all, they do nothing for the people who believe in them but bring them into captivity. So God cries against the people.
It is interesting that in archeological excavations in Israel above the Gihon springs on the section of the hill known as Ophel, which was the site of the ancient city of Jerusalem in David’s time, and through Hezekiah’s time, in the houses that have been excavated, houses that were destroyed by the Babylonian army, houses that have laid in ruins for 2500 years, as they uncovered the stones and rubble of these houses, within the houses they have found multitudes of little pagan gods. The gods that the people had worshiped, the gods that the people had turned too. From the archeologists findings we have immense conformation to what Isaiah is saying. As he is rebuking the people for their worship of the false gods. The Jews continually were being drawn towards their idols, (rockstars singers entertainers). God is saying if you are so enamored by these Babylonian idols, then go to Babylon . . . for 70 years. Now he speaks concerning two of their many false gods.

[@1Lansing1]

Thanks Bob

[@packinghousemondaynightbib8768]

Thank you