Isaiah 46

Idols on beasts that could not carry the burden 1
The Lord will carry His remnant 3
An idol cannot represent God 5
I am God; there is no other 8
You are stubborn; I will place salvation in Zion 12
.
Text
Comments
.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.   Bel The term means "lord" and was applied to Marduk, the patron god of Babylon je5002, je5144. Also at is4019, is4123, is4409, is4516. Babylonian kings were confirmed by this god at annual new year ceremonies. The name appears in "Belteshazzar" da0107 and "Belshazzar" da0501.
  Nebo Or Nabu. He was the supposed son of Bel and the second greatest god of Babylon. His name is seen in "Nebuchadnezzar" da0101.
  Their idols An interesting comment apparently indicating that the idols represented real, invisible gods. Of course, Satan is the great deceiver and was making the Egyptians dependent on him for their religion jn0844.
.2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.    Isaiah's point was to show that the gods were incapable and a burden. They were carried by men or animals on ceremonial journies – incapable of carrying themselves.
  Captivity The Assyrians took the images with them when Babylon was conquered by them. They were retrieved later.
.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.
  3 - Borne by me The true God carried His people while the gods of Egypt were carried with difficulty and incapable of saving even themselves v1.
.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.
  5 - To whom ... liken me Answer: no one! is4018,19, is4025,.
.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,
  8 - Remember Knowing the past is essential for avoiding error de0612, ro0121.
  8 - Transgressorsde2814, is0102.
 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.
  10 - Declaring the end ... not yet done Only God knows the future re0101b, is4104, is4122. Compare is4407, is4521.
  10 - I will do This means that nothing will stop the fulfillment of His promises.
  11 - Ravenous bird A symbol of Cyrus is4102, is4428, is4501. He was this toward Babylon.
.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.
  12 - Far from righteousness Notice the contrast in the next verse. He would bring it near. The salvation promised would not be for those who were far away and would not listen.
  13 - Bring near ... righteousness  I bring-Tho' you are unrighteous, I will shew myself a righteous and faithful God, making good my promise of delivering you out of Babylon after seventy years.  It-My work of saving you from the Babylonish captivity.  Will place-I will bring my people to Zion, and save them from all their enemies.  My glory-In whom I will once again glory as my people." (John Wesley's Notes).
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Previous
Next
Isaiah home
Commentary home
Contact