ISAIAH 46
People and false gods can’t help each other verse 1- 2
Bel bowed down – Nebo stooped – their idols were upon the beasts
and upon the cattle – your carriages were heavy laden
they are a burden to the weary beast
They stoop – bow down together – could not deliver the burden
but themselves are gone into captivity
LORD describes his help to Israel verse 3- 4
Hearken to me – O house of Jacob
and all the remnant of the house of Israel
which are born by ME from the belly
which are carried from the womb
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 I will deliver you
No equal to the True God verse 5- 7
To whom will you liken ME
and make ME equal – and compare ME
that we may be like?
They lavish gold out of the bag – and weigh silver in the balance
and hire a goldsmith – and he makes it a god
they fall down – yea – they worship
They bear him upon the shoulder
they carry him – and set him in his place
and he stands – 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
Trust in the LORD only verse 8- 11
REMEMBER this – and show yourselves men
bring it again to mind
O you transgressors
REMEMBER
the former things of old
for I am God – and there is none else
I am God and there is none like ME
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
calling a ravenous bird from the east
the man that executes 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
LORD always ready to help verse 12- 13
Hearken to ME – you shout-hearted
that are far from righteousness
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
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? (4911 “compare” [mashal] means to represent, liken, be like, make a comparison between two objects or be similar.
DEVOTION: The previous chapter and the beginning of this chapter describe false worship given to gods made by humans. In Isaiah’s day they made gods of wood and precious metal. They carried their gods with them wherever they went. When they stopped they put their gods down and worshipped them. Then they had to pick up their gods and carry them to the next location.
The LORD informs HIS people that these gods can do them no good. They are false gods.
Then the LORD through Isaiah asks a simple question. Who can be like the real God? Who can be equal to the real God? Who can be similar to the real God? The final comment is asking whom we should make ourselves like.
Then the LORD states the fact that there is no God except HIM. Our society wants to exclude God from every part of their lives. They want to substitute things for God.
The problem is that some of our churches put up false gods to worship. Some churches put up the god of external rules. In these churches if someone obeys the external rules they are going to heaven. Other churches state that there are no rules because Christ died for our sins we are all going to heaven and can do whatever we want until we get there.
Both groups are making false gods. The God of the Bible wants to change us from within. HE works from the inside out. We obey external rules because of an internal nature that wants to please God. We want to say “thank you” to God for HIS provision of salvation. We want to live in the “law of liberty” in Christ.
The word “remember” is used twice in this chapter to cause us to think about who is going to be our God. How big is our God? How powerful is our God? How sovereign is our God? When we pray, does God answer our prayers?
The people in this chapter pray to their false gods and never receive an answer. Each day is a choice. We need to make the right choice. Are we praying to the God of the Bible? Are we serving the God of the Bible? HE has no equal.
CHALLENGE: Continually update your view of the God of the Bible. This can only be done through the meditation on the Word of God. God speaks to us through HIS Word.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 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. (6098 “counsel” [‘etsah] means purpose, advice, plan, course of action, scheme, or advisement.
DEVOTION: Sometimes we think that it would be good to know what to do each day before we start the day. If God would just send an angel to keep us walking down the right roads and doing the right things with HIS guiding hand on our shoulder, so that, we didn’t make any mistakes or sin against HIM. The problem is that HE didn’t create puppets but human beings. HE allows them to make choices. HE allows them to chose which direction they are going to head.
However, HE is not the author of sin but HE does allow us to choose sin. HE never makes us sin it is our choice. We are not going to be able to accuse HIM on the Day of Judgment concerning our choices. We have to live with our choices. We will spend eternity with our choices.
HE was there before the world was created. HE will be there when this present world is melted with a fervent heat and there will be a New Heaven and a New Earth. Our world began with HIM and will end with HIM. HE is eternal
HIS plan will stand. HE is doing HIS own good pleasure with this world. It seems like it has gotten away from HIM but that is just the way we feel about things. HE has HIS hand on what is happening. HE is giving everyone a choice to follow HIM or to reject HIM.
Isaiah has been repeatedly expressing these facts to the children of Israel because their ears need cleaning out and their eyes need to be opened to the truth of what is being stated. If their ears and eyes were opened they would repent. They would realize that that is the only logical choice to make.
The same is true today for all those who are walking around us. They have to make a choice. We can instruct them in the Word of God but they have to hear and see these truths and then take action. Our prayers should be that we can convey these truths in such a way that they could become a follower of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: The repetition of the truth that there is only one true God has to sink into our heads and hearts, so that, we feel the need to do more sharing of these truths.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). Counsel – 6098 עֵצָה, עֵצָה [ʿetsah /ay·tsaw/]- counsel, advice, purpose.
DEVOTION: God is Sovereign and capable of doing what seems to us as impossible with a single command! He is make Cyrus ascend the kingdom and conquer the nation of Babylon and he has the capacity to call the bird of prey to consume its meat. We are amazed when we ask the Lord for something and it is completed, astonished when unspoken needs are met but God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. As he fed Elijah by the mouth of ravens and caused the oil and flour to continue for a widow and her son so He is today! Nothing is too big or small for the Lord to control and be attentive to. If the Lord has spoken it, He will bring it to pass. As He brings it to pass it will because He purposed it; and what He purposes He will do! Once the words have proceeded from His mouth the act is as good as done!
In the New Testament Paul explained it this way; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Ro 8:28–31)
When God says something it will occur! WE can be sure and confident in His word! A caution here is in order; Make sure that the promise or claim you are claiming is from the Lord and that it is to you not someone else!
CHALLENGE: God is Sovereign and in control of all things! He will produce the circumstance, event or time period that makes His word to be truth. Study carefully, think, ask big things and believe God! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
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: 12 Hearken to ME, you stouthearted, that are far from righteousness. (3820 “stouthearted” [leb] means one’s inner self, the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) undertood as the heart, character, disposition, inclination, loyalty or seat of appetites)
DEVOTION: It would be simple if we were not so confused in our thinking. We are not simple in our thinking. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by the LORD. HE created us in the beginning of time with the creation of Adam and Eve.
HE wanted us to listen to HIM and we found that Adam and Eve had a hard time following HIS counsel in the garden of Eden. They had everything perfect but they still wanted more. They thought that it would be better to disobey God and listen to the Devil or Satan then to just follow HIS advice alone.
We are individuals who like to have options. It was not in Adam and Eve’s nature to just listen to one opinion therefore they made room for the temptation of Satan. It is sad but true even today.
The Bible instructs us throughout the Old and New Testament what the LORD expects of HIS followers and yet we tend to try to push the limits. Our inner being likes to rebel against anyone telling us what we should do in a given situation. This has happened throughout the creation of man.
God allows us to be wrong in our thinking. HE wants us to understand that there is a right way and a wrong way. HE wants us on the right path but it is a choice we have to make each day.
If we are followers of HIM when we sin we have to confess it and understand that there are consequences of our sins. Once we confess our sin HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from unrighteousness. If we are not followers of HIM then we don’t care to confess and turn from our sins and follow HIM.
Every human being has a choice to made in regard to our relationship to HIM. Some think that when they are old they will turn to HM in their old age and follow, so that, they can go to heaven in the end.
However, most of those who think these thoughts never turn to HIM. In fact, probably all who think this way will die before they turn back from their sinful life. We have heard of deathbed confessions but that is usually not true.
CHALLENGE: We need to make sure we are not one that thinks they don’t have to start following the LORD just before they die and think they will turn from their wicked ways at that point. Remember it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement. HE knows the day but we don’t!!!
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Hearken unto ME verse 3, 12
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Prayer to false gods verse 7
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Borne by ME verse 3
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 9
Only true God verse 9
Omniscience of God verse 10
Beginning verse 10
Counsel shall stand verse 10
Do all HIS pleasure verse 10
Plan of God verse 11
MY righteousness verse 13
Glory of the LORD verse 13
MY salvation verse 13
MY glory Israel verse 13
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Captivity verse 2
Born verse 3
Carried from the womb verse 3
Old age verse 4
Compart God verse 5
Stouthearted verse 12
Far from righteousness verse 12
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Bel = false god verse 1
Nebo = false god verse 1
Idols verse 1, 5
Make God equal to others verse 5
Making of false gods verse 6
Worshiping false gods verse 6
Praying to false gods who don’t answer verse 7
False gods don’t save verse 7
Transgressors verse 8
Far from righteousness verse 12
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
God will carry verse 4
God will deliver verse 4
Remember verse 9
Listen to God verse 12
Righteousness verse 12, 13
Salvation verse 13
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
House of Jacob verse 3
House of Israel verse 3, 13
Salvation in Zion verse 13
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
10–11. End … beginning … still to come: i.e. the whole sweep of history, from its inception to the things still in process, and on to the end, is under his sovereign rule. He does not await the turn of events and then wonder what to do about them: they all emerge in order on the stage of history (like the stars, 40:26) at the dictate of his word (I make known, lit. ‘declare’). From ancient times is just ‘from beforehand’. My purpose will stand: in a word, the Lord is a God who is truly God. As in creation (Ps. 33:9), so in history, he cannot be thwarted or gainsaid. Even when some particular in human experience bothers his people, it is still the unalterable will of God. Here, the Lord does not conceal or alter the Cyrus plan. He comes as a rapacious victor (bird of prey, 11) under the compulsion of the divine will (purpose). God has spoken (said), God will act (bring about); it is the product of divine wisdom (planned) and backed by divine action (do). (Motyer, J. A. (1999). Isaiah: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 20, pp. 333–334). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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46:8–11. The rebels, people of Babylon (cf. v. 12), were to remember that God is the only God; He is unique (v. 9; cf. 43:11; 44:6; 45:5–6, 14, 18, 21–22). Proofs of God’s uniqueness include His knowledge and control of the future (cf. 45:21) and His ability to bring Cyrus from the east (cf. 41:2) like a quick bird of prey to accomplish His plans. (Martin, J. A. (1985). Isaiah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1101). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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The false gods disgraced (Isa. 46:1–13). Bel was the Babylonian sun god, and Nebo was his son, the god of writing and learning. But both of them together could not stop Cyrus! As the Babylonians fled from the enemy, they had to carry their gods; but their gods went into captivity with the prisoners of war! God assures His people that He will carry them from the womb to the tomb. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Comforted (pp. 117–118). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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God says, “I am altogether different from these gods who have to be carried by their makers. I undertake to carry you. I have brought you hitherto and I will continue to carry you through, even down to old age will I carry you, when hoar hairs adorn your brow I will be there to carry you, to deliver, to sustain you, and to see you through.”
God had satirized the making of gods out of the trees of the forest. Now He ridicules those who make graven images out of the various metals. The goldsmith takes metal, fashions and works over it and then sets it up and says, “This is a god.” But it is immovable. It cannot walk. It cannot see. It cannot hear. It cannot do anything, and in time of danger it needs someone to protect it. What a god!
Notice the satire here and the irony, and the wonderful precious promises brought before us. God says, “How differently I have acted toward you, Israel. How could you ever turn aside to such senselessness as idolatry when you have known how wonderfully I have sustained and cared for you through the centuries. Look back over the past and see what I have done. And I promise to care for you just as wonderfully in the future. (Ironside, H. A. (1952). Expository notes on the prophet Isaiah. (p. 269). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Truly I have spoken; truly, I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it” (46:9–11). It is well to remember that ʿēṣâ is translated in the LXX by boulē, a word replete with theological significance in the nt (see Acts 2:23; 4:28; 5:38–39; 20:27; Eph 1:11 where “the counsel of his will” expresses the immutable foreordination of God’s will); cf. Heb 6:17, “the unchangeableness of his purpose”). (Gilchrist, P. R. (1999). 887 יָעַץ. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (390). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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Ver. 10. Declaring the end from the beginning, &c.] The end of the Jewish state, both as a church, and a commonwealth, from the first settlement of it in the times of Moses, and by him, Deut. 32:29. The end of the world, and all things in it, as early as the times of Enoch, the seventh from Adam, Jud. ver. 14, 15. The end and issue of every event, at least of many very remarkable and momentous ones, before they came to pass; and particularly things relating to Christ, the beginning and end; the fulfilling end of the moral law for righteousness; the scope and design of the ceremonial law, to which that tended, and in which it issued; as well as the end of the whole Scripture, of the prophecies and promises of it: and this end was declared very early, and spoken of by all the prophets that were from the beginning of the world; and which is a full proof of the omniscience of God, and so of his true deity, Luke 1:70; Gen. 3:15. And from the ancient times the things that are not yet done; that were not at this time done, though they are since: such as the captivity of the Jews, and their return from it; also the incarnation of Christ, his obedience and sufferings, and the glory that should follow; his resurrection, ascension, and session at the right hand of God; the work of redemption by him; the effusion of the spirit; the spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles, and their conversion; and others which are now not yet done; as the conversion of the Jews in the latter day, and the bringing in the fulness of the Gentiles; the glory of the church in those times as to knowledge, peace, purity, power, and authority; the destruction of antichrist; and the second coming of the Messiah; all which have been declared from ancient times; and as the former have been accomplished, there is reason to believe the latter will: saying, my counsel shall stand; the purposes and decrees of God, which are within himself, wisely formed by him, eternal and unfrustrable; and which shall stand, or be accomplished, being the counsels of him who is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, unchangeable, true, and faithful; whether they respect the providence of God in relation to the world in general, and the government of it, or to particular persons, and their affairs, from the time of their birth to their death; or whether they respect his grace and goodness in the salvation of men; such as his purpose according to election, the covenant of his grace, redemption by Christ, effectual vocation, and eternal glorification; all which, as they are according to the will and counsel of God, stand firm and sure, and shall have their full accomplishment; see Psal. 33:11; Prov. 19:21. And I will do all my pleasure; as he has done in creation, and does in providence, so he has done, can do, and does in grace, in predestination and redemption, and in effectual vocation. And particularly this may refer to the deliverance of the Jews by Cyrus, a type of Christ, and deliverance by him, as follows: (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 5, pp. 271–272). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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The old charge that has so often been brought up against the Church and her preachers is that we are dogmatic; but the preacher who is not dogmatic is not a preacher in the New Testament sense. We should be modest about our own opinions and careful as to how we voice our own speculations. But here, thank God, we are not in such a realm; we are not concerned about such things. We do not put forward a theory that commends itself to us as a possible explanation of the world and what we can do about it; the whole basis of the New Testament is that here is an announcement, a proclamation–those are New Testament words. (Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Mind of Christ
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
The mind of the natural man is “a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28), a “carnal mind” (Romans 8:7), and a “defiled” mind (Titus 1:15), characterized by a daily walk “in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:17-18).
When a person is born again through faith in Christ, however, he should be “transformed by the renewing of [his] mind” (Romans 12:2) and should henceforth seek to conform to the mind of Christ in every attitude and every decision.
But what is the mind of Christ? As our text says: “Who hath known the mind of the Lord?” Paul echoed the same question to the Romans: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?” (Romans 11:34).
There are many aspects to His infinite mind, of course, but the key is undoubtedly the great attribute of sacrificial love. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who . . . became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-6, 8).
Thus, following His example, we should “in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). We should constantly “consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest [we] be wearied and faint in [our] minds” (Hebrews 12:3). We should receive “the word with all readiness of mind” and serve “the Lord with all humility of mind” (Acts 17:11; 20:19). Herein is the mind of Christ. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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OUR LORD’S GLORY ON EARTH
There is no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2
Think about the glory of our Lord that we are told about when He was on earth: “There is no beauty that we should desire him…a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:2-3). People would look at Him and say, “Who is this fellow?” “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mark 6:3). He had laid aside the glory; He had not laid aside anything of His essential being or person or His essential deity. But neither had He held on to it. He had not clutched at the manifestation of His glory. He had laid that aside as one would a cloak and had come in the likeness of man.
Indeed, I must go further than this, because this is the wonder of it all. He decided that His glory should be veiled by flesh. Think of it like this: The glory is there still shining in all its power, but a veil of flesh has come over it so that mankind cannot see it.
Take an Old Testament illustration. In the wilderness Moses went onto the Mount and spoke with God, and when he came down his face was shining. The people saw the glory, and it was so bright that he had to put a veil over his face; the glory was still there, but it was hidden from them. Something like that happened to our Lord.
Yes, but He not only came as man, nor is it only true to say that His glory was veiled by flesh. It is not true to say simply that the eternal Son of God was made flesh. We are told that he was made “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3). Indeed, He not only came into this world as a man—He took on Him “the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). It would have been a wonderful and astounding thing if this eternal King and Prince of glory had come on earth and lived in a palace as a human king with all the pomp and glory of an earthly kingship. But that is not what He did at all! He was born as a babe in very poor circumstances. A Thought to Ponder: He had laid aside the glory. (From Saved in Eternity, pp. 72-73, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The final plague on Egypt is a Passover sacrifice.
INSIGHT
God’s dealings with Pharaoh reveal His longsuffering attitude toward such rebellion. The plagues start out fairly minor, thus giving Pharaoh a chance to change his mind before utter calamity strikes. With each successive act of rebellion, the subsequent plague intensifies. Beginning with the unpleasant but fairly harmless plague of frogs, the process ends with the death of the firstborn of every household in Egypt. At any point, had Pharaoh repented, the plagues would have been stopped. Analyze your own life. If you’ve entered into conflict with God, abandon the fight before it escalates. (Quiet Walk)
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Only trials have the power to break that argument. Only pain exposes our commitment to happiness for what it is, an arrogance that displaces God from His rightful place. (p. 160)
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TRUE FAITH
Three lessons:
1. The journey to God will always, at some points, take us through darkness where life makes no sense. Life isn’t easy; it’s hard, sometimes very hard.
2. The felt absence of God is a gift to gratefully receive. During those seasons of darkness He is doing His deepest work in us.
3. Feeling good is nto the goal. When we feel bad, we have the opportunity to do battle against the enemy within that keeps us from entering the Presence of God with no greater passion than to glorify Him. (p. 180-181) (Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb)
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