Comparing Bel And Babylon To The Lord (46:1-47:15)
Neal Pollard
Isaiah: Trusting The Holy One Who Rules The World
Comparing Babylon To The Lord (46:1-47:15)
Neal Pollard
It seems plausible that the central idea in Isaiah 46-48 is given in the statement, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me” (46:9). You will notice a decided contrast, specifically between the Lord with Bel and Nebo (46:1) and between God and Babylon (47:1). The Babylonians are associated with their gods, and God calls His people to sit in the jury and judge between both. The verdict is a foregone conclusion, if they will honestly examine the evidence. At least five pieces of evidence are brought forth in these two chapters.
His Power (46:1-7). By contrast, Bel, Nebo, and any material god must be created by man before it can be worshipped. It cannot save (2). It must be carried to the place of worship and set up before men fall before it (7). It is inanimate, inaudible, and impotent (7). But God made us, carries us, and saves us (4).
His Perception (46:8-10). It is in this section that the aforementioned statement is made of the special, unique nature of God (9). “He declares the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done” (10). For an example, look at the previous chapters where He presents for their consideration a king who would not be born for well over a century when Isaiah writes. Our God has perfect foreknowledge. None other has that ability.
His Purpose (46:10-13). As a part of His foreknowledge, God sets forth His purpose. He declares His purpose and counsel (10), then reveals what it is. It involves using a man from a far country, whom He calls a “bird of prey” (11). It is not shown here who that is. Jeremiah and Ezekiel call Nebuchadnezzar an eagle (Jer. 49:22; Ezek. 17:3). But the main thing is not the predator, but the God who purposes to use him. He purposes what He does in order to bring about His righteousness and salvation (13). Whatever He purposes will happen (Job 42:2), and He purposes only what is good and right (Gen. 18:25).
His Perseverance (47:1-9). The attention is suddenly turned upon Babylon, with God sending this nation a message even before it rises to global prominence. Isaiah appears to look past the Assyrians and the Babylonians to the Medo-Persian rise to power as a world empire. Cyrus will humble and subjugate Babylon, a sign that God has not given up on His people. God was angry at His people for their sin and would use Babylon to punish them (47:6), but this heathen nation was foolish not to see that they could not flaunt His will and survive.
His Purity (47:10-15). Isaiah lays out the sin and wickedness of Babylon–lovers of pleasure (8), complacent (8), wickedness (10), sinful pride (10), and sorcery (12). It would harm them and any who allied with them (15). The next chapter will vindicate the character of God, but He is not susceptible to any of these spiritual impurities. He is the antithesis of them.
A recurring theme of Scripture is something we often sing, that “there is no God like Jehovah.” How foolish to trust anything or anyone besides Him. God’s Old Testament people made that mistake to their harm and destruction. We must not follow their footsteps, in view of our Awesome and only God!
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