Major Prophets · Chapter 46 of 66

Isaiah 46

Isaiah pictures Babylon's gods Bel and Nebo toppling, carried as heavy burdens on weary beasts into captivity, unable to save themselves. In contrast, the LORD carries His people from birth to old age. He challenges idols to compare with Him, for He alone declares the end from the beginning and accomplishes His purpose. Calling a bird of prey from the east, He promises to bring near His salvation and place it in Zion.

What happens in Isaiah 46

Isaiah stages a contrast between idols and the true God. Babylon's chief gods, Bel and Nebo, are shown bowing and stooping, their images loaded onto pack animals as burdensome cargo. Far from rescuing anyone, the idols themselves go into captivity, unable to save even themselves. Against this, God reminds the house of Jacob that He has carried them since birth, borne by Him from the womb, and pledges to keep carrying them even to old age and gray hairs, for He made them and will bear and deliver them.

God then challenges them to find anyone comparable to Him. Unlike idols people must lift and carry, He carries His people and answers when they cry. He alone declares the end from the beginning, saying His counsel shall stand. He announces He will call a bird of prey from the east to execute His purpose, and promises to bring His salvation near, placing it in Zion for His glory.

Isaiah 46 in context

Set against Babylon's grand religious processions, where idols were carried through the streets, Isaiah reverses the image: the gods that must be carried are contrasted with the God who carries His people. Bel, also called Marduk, and Nebo were Babylon's leading deities.

To exiles surrounded by such impressive worship, the prophet insists these gods are dead weight, while the LORD alone sustains His people and directs history, calling the conqueror from the east to bring the promised salvation to Zion.

Main themes of Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46 (KJV)

1Bel 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. 2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. 3Hearken 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: 4And 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. 5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6They 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. 7They 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. 8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. 9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10Declaring 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: 11Calling 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. 12Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 13I 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.

Verses to carry from Isaiah 46

“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.”Isaiah 46:4

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,”Isaiah 46:9

“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:”Isaiah 46:10

Reflection

I am tempted to worship things I must constantly prop up, carrying burdens that promise security but only weigh me down. Isaiah turns the picture around: the true God is the one who has carried me from birth and will carry me to gray hairs. I can lay down the idols I lug about and let myself be carried.

A prayer from Isaiah 46