Babylon's Idols Must Be Carried
Study note
Bel and Nebo were two of the most important gods worshipped in Babylon. Bel was the chief god, and Nebo was the god of wisdom and writing. When a city was conquered, its idols would be loaded onto animals and carried away. Isaiah paints a picture of these once-mighty idols being hauled off on tired beasts as Babylon falls. The contrast is powerful: while idol worshippers must carry their gods, the true God carries his people. From the womb to old age, God promises to hold, carry, and rescue his people.
1 The god Bel crumples over. The god Nebo crashes face-first to the ground. Their idol statues are loaded onto exhausted animals and worn-out cattle. The images you used to parade around have become dead weight on the backs of tired beasts. 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.
2 The gods slump and collapse together. They cannot even save their own statues from being carted off. They themselves go into captivity. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
3 "Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone left from the people of Israel. I have carried you from the day you were born. I held you close before you ever took your first breath." 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 "All the way to your gray hair and old age, I will be exactly the same. I created you, and I will take care of you. I will support you and bring you safely through." 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.
No One Compares to God
Study note
God challenges anyone to find something that compares to him. People spend gold and silver to make an idol, then they carry it to a spot where it just stands there. It cannot move. It cannot answer prayers. It cannot rescue anyone. In sharp contrast, God declares the end from the beginning. He knows the future because he controls it. The 'bird of prey from the east' refers to Cyrus of Persia, whom God is calling to carry out his plan. Everything God has spoken will come true.
5 "Who could you even compare me to? Who is my match? Who resembles me?" To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6 Some people dump gold out of their bags and weigh silver on their scales. They hire a craftsman to turn it into a god, and then they drop to their knees and worship it. 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 hoist the idol onto their shoulders and haul it somewhere. They set it down, and that is where it stays. It cannot move from that spot. You can scream at it for help, but it will not answer. It has never rescued anyone from anything. 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.
8 "Think about this and stand firm. Let it sink in, you rebels." Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9 "Think back to what happened long ago, because I am God, and there is nobody else. I am God, and nobody is like me." Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 "I announce how things will end before they even begin. I reveal what will happen far in advance. I declare: My plan will stand, and I will accomplish everything I set out to do." 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 "I am calling a man from a far eastern country, swift as a bird of prey, to carry out my plan from a distant land. I have said it, and I will bring it about. I have planned it, and I will see it through." 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.
God's Righteousness Is Coming Soon
Study note
God speaks directly to the stubborn-hearted who feel distant from righteousness. Even for those who resist him, God declares that his salvation is not far away. He will bring righteousness near. He will place salvation in Zion for the glory of Israel. This is a message of both warning and hope: God's plan moves forward whether people cooperate or not.
12 "Listen to me, you stubborn people who are nowhere close to doing what is right." Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
13 "I am bringing my justice close. It is not far off. My rescue will not be delayed. I am placing salvation in Zion and giving my glory to Israel." 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.