Announcement of Hope
First, in these opening 39 chapters, Isaiah had announced the discipline of Yahweh and the coming hope for Israel.
Second, he announced the discipline of Yahweh and the future hope for all the other nations of the earth.
Third, and finally, Isaiah announced the discipline of Jerusalem for trusting in idols and trusting in other nations for protection. Because they abandoned the devotion, obedience, and worship of Yahweh they were led into 70 years of captivity.
Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh’s hand double for all her sins.” (Luke 2:14)
What do you see as your greatest need; physical health, financial security, enjoyment in life, or psychological health?
Those things are all important, but they are not your greatest need. If health were our greatest need, God would have sent a doctor. If financial security were our greatest need, God could have sent a financial advisor. If our greatest need was enjoyment, God could have sent entertainers. If our greatest need were our mental health, God could have sent a psychologist. If our greatest need was hunger, God could have set a farmer. No, our greatest need is that we are sinners at enmity with God…enemies of God. Romans 5:10 We were hostile to God. Romans 8:7
In his prophecy, Isaiah put it like this:
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:2 KJV
Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator and joined in Satan’s rebellion, mankind has been at war against God. But at the Messiah’s birth the angel announces to the shepherds that the newborn child will make peace possible between the warring factions. Israel had lived in exile in Babylon, and all men were exiles from Eden, but now God promises a way for the hostilities of war to cease and for our exile to end.
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and singing, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14
God’s heavenly army appears to the shepherds proclaiming peace to men.
How is this peace possible?
As rebels warring against God we have a double problem.
First, although we have all sinned against God and stand as condemned rebel combatants in his Court, Isaiah explained, our iniquity is pardoned through Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.
For Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18
He gave himself for our sins that he might rescue us. Galatians 1:4
Second, though our sins have been pardoned, our hearts are still captive to sin. To address this God has changed our hearts.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
I will give them one heart, and a new Spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19
How will this happen?
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of Yahweh!
Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The uneven shall be made level,
and the rough places a plain. (John 1:23)
5 Yahweh’s glory shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.” (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4-6, John 1:23)
Prepare the way. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Way.” John 14:6 Because early Christians believed in Christ they were said to belong to the Way. Acts 9:2
Isaiah 40:6 The voice of one saying, “Cry out!”
One said, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers,
the flower fades,
because Yahweh’s breath blows on it.
Surely the people are like grass.
8 The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the Word of our God stands forever.” (1 Peter 1:25)
The voice of one crying in the wilderness was clearly a prophecy of the coming of John the Baptist. John’s message was twofold.
First, he reminded everyone of the frail and fragile nature of life. Just like the hills of Judah are lush with green grass after the winter rains and then quickly dry out and wither under the summer sun, so too human life is fleeting.
Second, in direct contrast to the fleeting nature of human life John the Baptist teaches that the Word of our God stands forever. God created and sustains the world with his word. Colossians 1:16-17 And that Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, John 1:14, so that whoever believes in [Jesus Christ] has eternal life. John 3:36
Though you are full of hope and beautiful dreams for your life, like the flowers of the field your life is fading. What can be done to save your life? Turn to the Creator and Savior, the Word of our God [which] stands forever. That is amazing news that changes everything. Instead of fear, despair, and ultimately death the Promise of salvation unlocks forgiveness of the sins that haunt you, eternal life, meaning, purpose, praise, and joy in the Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Psalm 16:11
What do you do when you hear good news?
Isaiah 40:9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength!
Lift it up! Don’t be afraid!
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!” (John 1:26; 19:14)
10 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one,
and his arm will rule for him.
Behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him. (Revelation 22:12)
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will gather the lambs in his arm,
and carry them in his bosom.
He will gently lead those who have their young. (John 10:10-18)
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
and marked off the sky with his span,
and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket,
and weighed the mountains in scales,
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed Yahweh’s Spirit,
or has taught him as his counselor?
14 Who did he take counsel with,
and who instructed him,
and taught him in the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
When you hear good news you shout it from the mountains. You tell all of your friends and neighbors that the Creator God has come to earth to redeem them from death. He wants to gather those who come to him in his arms and feed them, freeing them from the fear of death, loving them with an everlasting love, and fulfilling their deepest longings.
With great insight Isaiah says,
You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength! Lift it up! Don’t be afraid!
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!
What causes us to be hesitant and afraid to tell this good news everyone we know?
We should never allow fear to silence us from telling the people who do not believe in the Messiah about the good news of salvation.
We should not fear but when you are a fearful ambassador for Christ you are not alone. Even the Apostle Paul asked for prayer so that the Holy Spirit would overcome his fear so that he could speak boldly.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20
Isaiah 40:15 Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket,
and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance.
Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are like nothing before him.
They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.
18 To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to him?
19 A workman has cast an image,
and the goldsmith overlays it with gold,
and casts silver chains for it.
20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot.
He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved.
To God the nations are like a drop in the bucket. The One True God is not at all like the false gods of the unbelievers, fashioned by men with gold, silver, or fashioned with wood that eventually rots. The idols of the nations are nothing. Psalm 135:15 Although we live in abundance, because we have rejected the One True God, we are starved for meaning and belonging. To fill the void, we pursue other gods. Whatever idols men may worship, Allah, Krishna, Buddha, or wealth, prestige, status, celebrities, power, influence, sports, or even themselves – in the end all idols will be shown to be nothing.
Isaiah 40:21 Haven’t you known?
Haven’t you heard?
Haven’t you been told from the beginning?
Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in,
23 who brings princes to nothing,
who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
24 They are planted scarcely.
They are sown scarcely.
Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground.
He merely blows on them, and they wither,
and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.
25 “To whom then will you liken me?
Who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high,
and see who has created these,
who brings out their army by number.
He calls them all by name.
By the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power,
not one is lacking.
God asks incredulously, “Haven’t you been told from the beginning?”
Our God who sits above the circle of the earth laid the foundations and stretches out the heaven like a curtain, asks, “To whom then will you liken me? Who is my equal?”
The answer can only be … no one. There is no comparison to God. God is transcendent. He is not part of the creation. He stands outside time, matter, and space, upholding all that he has made.
There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty. Westminster Confession of Faith, II Of God
Isaiah 40:27 Why do you say, Jacob,
and speak, Israel,
“My way is hidden from Yahweh,
and the justice due me is disregarded by my God”?
After hearing Isaiah tell of the greatness, power, and glory of Yahweh the people interrupt with a complaint.
“My way is hidden from Yahweh,
and the justice due me is disregarded by my God.”
Israel was going in to exile for 70 years in Babylon. It sure didn’t feel like God cared for them. They were beginning to question God. Perhaps, they thought, this is happening because God has ignored us. Or, worse yet, perhaps God wasn’t the most powerful God after all. Maybe he really can’t save his people.
If you have ever questioned God, wondering why you are going through a tough time you understand what the people were feeling. They were about to lose their homes, jobs, nation, and were to be taken as slaves for 70 years. That seems unfair. They saw themselves as victims. If you forget that God is in control over all aspects of creation it becomes easy to see yourself as a victim of people or causes outside of your control. Where is God?
Isaiah answers their question.
Isaiah 40:28 Haven’t you known?
Haven’t you heard?
The everlasting God, Yahweh,
the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint.
He isn’t weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak.
He increases the strength of him who has no might.
30 Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall;
31 but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run, and not be weary.
They will walk, and not faint.
God didn’t forget Israel, nor did he withhold justice. On the contrary, God knew exactly what he was doing. His understanding is unsearchable. God had explained through the prophets that their discipline would last 70 years. Exile was proof that God was disciplining his people not neglecting his children. Israel’s task was to be molded by their trials while patiently waiting for Yahweh for their strength to be renewed. Just because our timetable is not God’s timetable does not mean that God is not working all things out for the good of those who love him. Romans 8:28
Yahweh’s Courtroom
Have you ever been summoned to court to defend yourself?
Isaiah 41:1 “Keep silent before me you distant lands,
and let the peoples renew their strength.
Let them come near,
then let them speak.
Let’s meet together for judgment.
In these next eight chapters, Isaiah 41-48, we are spectators in a courtroom scene. Israel had played the role of a victim, blaming God for their fate and questioning God’s justice.
“My way is hidden from Yahweh,
and the justice due me is disregarded by my God” Isaiah 40:27
The Scriptures clearly teach, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 unfortunately, like Israel, we are often deceived. Rather than taking responsibility for our sins against our God we instead make up excuses for our behavior and actually convince ourselves that we are the victims of God’s injustice. Deflecting, excuse-making, and blaming God are as old as mankind. When God confronted Adam for his sin what was response? Adam first blamed Eve for his actions and then went on to implicate God himself for putting Eve in the Garden. Genesis 3:12
Yahweh summons Israel to a trial; come near and speak. As in any trial both sides present their case. God describes his mighty works on Israel’s behalf through history and questions why they are drawn to worship idols, which are nothing more than demons. Deuteronomy 32:16-17 What is the allure of idols?
Isaiah 41:2 Who has raised up one from the east?
Who called him to his feet in righteousness?
He hands over nations to him
and makes him rule over kings.
He gives them like the dust to his sword,
like the driven stubble to his bow.
3 He pursues them
and passes by safely,
even by a way that he had not gone with his feet.
4 Who has worked and done it,
calling the generations from the beginning?
I, Yahweh, the first, and with the last, I am he.”
5 The islands have seen, and fear.
The ends of the earth tremble.
They approach, and come.
6 Everyone helps his neighbor.
They say to their brothers, “Be strong!”
7 So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith.
He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good;”
and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter.
Israel has questioned Yahweh, in effect saying, what have you done for us? Yahweh responds, reminding Israel that he promised to free them from Babylonian captivity by raising up Cyrus. “Who has raised up one from the east?” Although the other nations of the earth saw God’s works and trembled in fear nevertheless they continued to worship worthless idols. Can you hear the mocking irony in Isaiah’s rebuke to the nations? After seeing Yahweh’s power and glory rather than worship him they encourage each other to be strong worshipping and serving idols made of gold, silver, and wood fastened with nails that it might not totter.
The Apostle Paul describes their behavior perfectly.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man. Romans 1:18-25
In contrast to the fear and uncertainty that the unbelieving nations experience, Yahweh reminds Israel of the everlasting Covenant that he made with Abraham, “Don’t you be afraid for I am with you.”
Isaiah 41:8 “But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham my friend,
9 you whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth,
and called from its corners,
and said to you, ‘You are my servant. I have chosen you and have not cast you away.’
10 Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you.
Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
11 Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded.
Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish.
12 You will seek them, and won’t find them,
even those who contend with you.
Those who war against you will be as nothing,
as a nonexistent thing.
13 For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand,
saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid.
I will help you.’
14 Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob,
and you men of Israel.
I will help you,” says Yahweh.
“Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15 Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth.
You will thresh the mountains,
and beat them small,
and will make the hills like chaff.
16 You will winnow them,
and the wind will carry them away,
and the whirlwind will scatter them.
You will rejoice in Yahweh.
You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17 The poor and needy seek water, and there is none.
Their tongue fails for thirst.
I, Yahweh, will answer them.
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and springs in the middle of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness.
I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert;
20 that they may see, know, consider, and understand together,
that Yahweh’s hand has done this,
and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Yahweh assures his children who have questioned and doubted him with a beautiful message of comfort:
You are my servant. I have chosen you and have not cast you away.
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you.
Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
Just as Yahweh held Israel by the hand, so too, Yahweh holds you by the hand. He is your Redeemer. v.14 With Yahweh you will overcome all who oppose you. Do you realize that Yahweh, the Lord of Armies, is deployed in battle formation with you to strengthen, help, and uphold v.10 you in all circumstances? In addition to Yahweh’s protection, you will be blessed with abundant resources.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
Next Yahweh calls both the idol worshippers and their idols to account. He asks them to present their case. Where is their evidence that their idols are effective? Can they explain why they worship worthless idols? 17:7, 1 Corinthians 8:4
Isaiah 41:21 Produce your cause,” says Yahweh.
“Bring out your strong reasons!” says the King of Jacob.
To those who have questioned him Yahweh sarcastically asks if their idols can declare the future like he can. Can they declare the events since the beginning of time?
Isaiah 41:22 “Let them announce and declare to us what will happen!
Declare the former things, what they are,
that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them;
or show us things to come.
23 Declare the things that are to come hereafter,
that we may know that you are gods.
Yes, do good, or do evil,
that we may be dismayed,
and see it together.
24 Behold, you are nothing,
and your work is nothing.
He who chooses you is an abomination.
25 “I have raised up one from the north, and he has come,
from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name,
and he shall come on rulers as on mortar,
and as the potter treads clay.
26 Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know?
and before, that we may say, ‘He is right’?
Surely, there is no one who declares.
Surely, there is no one who shows.
Surely, there is no one who hears your words.
27 I am the first to say to Zion, ‘Behold, look at them;’
and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem.
28 When I look, there is no man,
even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask, can answer a word.
29 Behold, all of their deeds are vanity and nothing.
Their molten images are wind and confusion.
Yahweh’s verdict, the idols are nothing. Their deceit holds no true power. Those who make idols are nothing … All of their deeds are … nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion. v29
As it turns out God had not forgotten or ignored Israel. Far from being neglected, Israel’s exile into Babylon was God’s loving discipline. And once the discipline was complete, once they trusted in God he would raise up Persia, Isaiah 13:17, to conquer Babylon, setting in motion Israel’s freedom from captivity and demonstrating that Yahweh is truly the ruler of the nations and sovereign over history.
Instead of relying on worthless idols Yahweh calls on everyone, both Israel and the nations, to behold [his] Servant, [his] chosen, on whom Yahweh has put [his] Spirit. Any doubt as to the identity of this Servant is cleared up when the Matthew explains that this prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Matthew 12:16-21
Isaiah 42:1 “Behold, my Servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights:
I have put my Spirit on him.
He will bring justice to the nations. (Matthew 12:18)
2 He will not shout,
nor raise his voice,
nor cause it to be heard in the street.
3 He won’t break a bruised reed.
He won’t quench a dimly burning wick.
He will faithfully bring justice. (Matthew 12:19, Luke 23:9-11, 1 Peter 2:23)
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
until he has set justice in the earth,
In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Matthew 12:18-21; John 12:20-26)
Here the Servant is first introduced. The Servant, the long-awaited Messiah springing from the root of Jesse, Isaiah 11:10, will fulfill the Covenant Promise made to Abraham. All the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. He will faithfully bring justice … In his name the nations will put their hope. As they return to worship the True God they give up their idols and rediscover the knowledge and unconditional love of their Creator.
Isaiah 42:5 God Yahweh,
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it,
he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says:
6 “I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness.
I will hold your hand.
I will keep you,
and make you a Covenant for the people,
as a light for the nations, (Luke 2:32)
7 to open the blind eyes,
to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon,
and those who sit in darkness out of the prison. (John 9:25-38)
The Messiah will be a light to the nations.
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16
The era of the Old Covenant was the time of the world’s dark night; with the Advent of Jesus Christ has come the age of Light, the great Day of The Lord, established at His Ascension and His full inauguration of the New Covenant. David Chilton, Days of Vengeance
Isaiah 42:8 “I am Yahweh.
That is my name.
I will not give my glory to another,
nor my praise to engraved images.
9 Behold, the former things have happened
and I declare new things.
I tell you about them before they come up.”
10 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
and his praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea,
and all that is therein,
the islands and their inhabitants.
11 Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices,
with the villages that Kedar inhabits.
Let the inhabitants of Sela sing.
Let them shout from the top of the mountains!
12 Let them give glory to Yahweh,
and declare his praise in the islands.
13 Yahweh will go out like a mighty man.
He will stir up zeal like a man of war.
He will raise a war cry.
Yes, he will shout aloud.
He will triumph over his enemies.
14 “I have been silent a long time.
I have been quiet and restrained myself.
Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
15 I will destroy mountains and hills,
and dry up all their herbs.
I will make the rivers islands,
and will dry up the pools.
In fulfilling the Covenant Promise, in bringing a Redeemer into the world to save all of mankind, Yahweh is doing a new thing. Accordingly the nations of the earth are going to sing to Yahweh a new song. John Milton’s song is but one example:
I, Who erewhile the happy Garden sung,
By one man’s disobedience lost,
Now sing Recovered Paradise to all mankind,
By one man’s firm obedience fully tried,
Through all temptation, and the Tempter foiled,
In all his wiles, defeated and repulsed,
And Eden restored in the waste Wilderness.
John Milton, Paradise Regained
Over 120 times in the Gospels Christ said that he came to inaugurate the renew God’s kingdom on earth. The Old Creation that Adam lost through disobedience will be restored as the New Creation, through the obedience of Christ.
Isaiah 42:16 I will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know.
I will lead them in paths that they don’t know.
I will make darkness light before them,
and crooked places straight.
I will do these things,
and I will not forsake them.
17 “Those who trust in engraved images,
who tell molten images,
‘You are our gods,’
will be turned back.
They will be utterly disappointed.
18 “Hear, you deaf,
and look, you blind,
that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant?
Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send?
Who is as blind as he who is at peace,
and as blind as Yahweh’s servant?
20 You see many things, but don’t observe.
His ears are open, but he doesn’t listen.
The Servant would come bringing the light of truth and redemption, freeing the captives groping through life lost in the blindness of Satan’s lies.
Since the Savior came to dwell among us, not only does idolatry no longer increase, but it is getting less and gradually ceasing to be. Similarly, not only does the wisdom of the Greeks no longer make any progress, but that which used to be is disappearing. And demons, so far from continuing to impose on people by their deceits and oracle-givings and sorceries, are routed by the sign of the cross if they so much as try. On the other hand, while idolatry and everything else that opposes the faith of Christ is daily dwindling and weakening and falling, the Savior’s teaching is increasing everywhere! Worship, then, the Savior “Who is above all” and mighty, even God the Word, and condemn those who are being defeated and made to disappear by Him. When the sun has come, darkness prevails no longer; any of it that may be left anywhere is driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every direction are enlightened by His teaching. St. Athanasius, (296 AD) On the Incarnation, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press
Isaiah 42:21 It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the Law
and make it honorable.
22 But this is a robbed and plundered people.
All of them are snared in holes,
and they are hidden in prisons.
They have become captives, and no one delivers,
and a plunder, and no one says, ‘Restore them!’
23 Who is there among you who will give ear to this?
Who will listen and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob as plunder,
and Israel to the robbers?
Didn’t Yahweh, he against whom we have sinned?
For they would not walk in his ways,
and they disobeyed his Law.
25 Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him,
and the strength of battle.
It set him on fire all around, but he didn’t know.
It burned him, but he didn’t take it to heart.”
Do you think of God’s Law as honorable?
While the Law is a gift from God – first, showing us how we are all sinners falling short of God’s standards, and second, showing us how to live – many in the world, including Christians, disregard the Law believing it to be archaic. But ignoring God’s Law ultimately brings downfall and ruin. As we read in the opening chapters of Isaiah and as we see throughout history, people and nations that resist the Law will be broken.
Now, in the New Covenant age, those who accept the Messiah as their Redeemer become his ambassadors, redeemed image-bearers, taking the message of forgiveness of sins and adoption back into God’s family to the world, renewing fallen cultures in their wake.
The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! Revelation 11:15
We are to pray as Christ taught that God’s will be done on earth just as God’s will is done in heaven, as the church works faithfully as God’s instrument to expand the kingdom filling the whole earth. Isaiah 11:9 After Adam’s sin, God didn’t give up on humanity nor did he give up on his creation, the earth. The Messiah has come to redeem mankind and with the power of the Holy Spirit those who follow Christ are to go about restoring what was lost in Eden. We are to invite everyone into God’s kingdom and teach the nations everything that Christ has commanded. Matthew 28:20 Those nations that honor the Savior and follow God’s Law prosper.
Isaiah 43:1 But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob,
and he who formed you, Israel, says:
“Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name. You are mine.
Yahweh gives Israel a command and a promise. They are commanded, Don’t be afraid. Why wouldn’t they be afraid? Would you fear being conquered by the Babylonian army and carried into exile? The promise? Yahweh says there is no need for fear because he has saved you; called you by your name and redeemed you.
What does that promise mean in real terms?
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,
and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned,
and flame will not scorch you.
3 For I am Yahweh your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
your Savior.
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you have been precious and honored in my sight,
and I have loved you,
therefore I will give people in your place,
and nations instead of your life.
5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and gather you from the west.
6 I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’
and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back!
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
and whom I have created for my glory,
whom I have formed,
yes, whom I have made.’”
God puts obstacles in our lives to refine, press, and mold us. Regardless of the obstacle that we encounter, whether it be waters, rivers, or fire, Yahweh promises to be with his people.
Yahweh is reminding his people how he led them safely through the waters of the Red Sea. Exodus 14:21-29 He is also reminding them how he led them safely across the Jordan River when they first entered the Promised Land. Joshua 3-4 And finally he says, perhaps prophetically, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who [were] in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, [and] cast [them] into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste [and] spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:19-25
Even when thrown into the fire, the pre-incarnate Jesus, stood with and protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
Despite the fact that they were about to be taken captive to Babylon Yahweh promises that the exile will end and Israel will be freed from captivity. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east. And of course, this same promise of Yahweh word is true for all Christians today. Don’t be afraid.
Isaiah 43:8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes,
and the deaf who have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together,
and let the peoples be assembled.
Who among them can declare this,
and show us former things?
Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified,
or let them hear, and say, “That is true.”
Still in God’s courtroom, Yahweh challenges both Israel and the nations. Let them bring their witnesses to come and justify why they worshiped other gods rather than worshiping and obeying Yahweh.
What would you say in God’s courtroom when he asks why you chased after, valued, and worshiped things that were not Yahweh; things of no value that could not last?
Isaiah 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” says Yahweh,
“With my servant whom I have chosen;
that you may know and believe me,
and understand that I am he.
Before me there was no God formed,
neither will there be after me.
11 I myself am Yahweh.
Besides me, there is no Savior. (Acts 4:12)
12 I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown,
and there was no strange god among you.
Therefore you are my witnesses”,
says Yahweh, “and I am God.
13 Yes, since the day was, I am he.
There is no one who can deliver out of my hand.
I will work, and who can hinder it?”
Next, Yahweh calls Israel to be his witnesses. Of all the people on earth God’s chosen people had a long history of personally experiencing the ways, wonders, works, promises, and salvation of God. In the courtroom of public opinion believers are called to be witnesses wherever we go.
Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
Proverbs 1:20-21
To those devoted to false gods we are to teach that there is only one true God. Jesus seeks to save. Luke 19:10
Before [Yahweh] there was no God formed, neither will there be after me.
Allah, Buddha, Baphomet, Krishna, and all other pretenders in the pantheon of false gods are unable to save.
I myself am Yahweh. Besides me, there is no Savior.
We have been blessed beyond measure by God. Our sins are forgiven. We are his temple with the in-dwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. We should be offering the good news, the free gift of eternal life among the peoples. With such an amazing gift why would we be quiet?
Isaiah 43:14 Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: “For your sake, I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring all of them down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. 15 I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
16 Yahweh, who makes a way in the sea
and a path in the mighty waters,
17 who brings out the chariot and horse,
the army and the mighty man
(they lie down together, they shall not rise;
they are extinct, they are quenched like a wick) says:
18 “Don’t remember the former things,
and don’t consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing.
It springs out now.
Don’t you know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Even before Babylon takes Israel into the 70-year captivity, Yahweh assures them that Babylon will be held accountable for their actions.
And so that Israel will look beyond their coming troubles Yahweh promises to do a new thing. With the coming of the Messiah, God is doing something new, something spectacular.
Isaiah 43:20 The animals of the field, the jackals and the ostriches, shall honor me,
because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people which I formed for myself,
that they might declare my praise.
22 Yet you have not called on me, Jacob;
but you have been weary of me, Israel.
23 You have not brought me any of your sheep for burnt offerings,
neither have you honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
nor wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money,
nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices,
but you have burdened me with your sins.
You have wearied me with your iniquities.
25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake;
and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance.
Let us plead together.
Declare your case,
that you may be justified.
27 Your first father sinned,
and your teachers have transgressed against me.
28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary;
and I will make Jacob a curse,
and Israel an insult.”
Though Israel has not honored God and instead burdened [God] with [their sins and wearied [him] with [their] iniquities, nevertheless Yahweh promises to blot out [their] transgressions for [his] own sake, and [he] will not remember [their] sins.
Does God save us because we deserve salvation? No, he saves his people for his own sake, not because of our good works.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
44:1 Yet listen now, Jacob my servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what Yahweh who made you,
and formed you from the womb,
who will help you says:
“Don’t be afraid, Jacob my servant;
and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
and streams on the dry ground.
I will pour my Spirit on your descendants,
and my blessing on your offspring; (John 16:7-13)
4 and they will spring up among the grass,
as willows by the watercourses.
5 One will say, ‘I am Yahweh’s.’
Another will be called by the name of Jacob;
and another will write with his hand ‘to Yahweh,’
and honor the name of Israel.”
In the book of Numbers, when Moses was leading the ungrateful nation of Israel through the wilderness, in exasperation, he wished that all the people would be given the Holy Spirit. Numbers 11:29 Here Yahweh promises that Moses’ wish is going to be granted.
I will pour my Spirit on your descendants,
and my blessing on your offspring;
The same power that raised the Messiah from the dead will be given to all believers! Ephesians 1:19-20
Isaiah 44:6 This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies, says:
“I am the first, and I am the last;
and besides me there is no God.
7 Who is like me?
Who will call,
and will declare it,
and set it in order for me,
since I established the ancient people?
Let them declare the things that are coming,
and that will happen.
8 Don’t fear,
neither be afraid.
Haven’t I declared it to you long ago,
and shown it?
You are my witnesses.
Is there a God besides me?
Indeed, there is not.
I don’t know any other Rock.”
Where do idols come from? They are fashioned by men. They are made by someone. By contrast Yahweh declares, “I am the first.” In other words, he was not made by someone like an idol must be made by someone. God is self-existent; he does not derive his being from any other.
Over time, what happens to idols? As Christianity spread across the world, people either destroyed their idols or simply discarded and forgot them because they had found salvation and meaning in the One True God. Many times people idolize famous musicians, celebrities, or politicians, following their every move. There are people who build their lives around their classic car collections, art collections, travel, or any number of pursuits, but what inevitably becomes of all of our idols? Idols can never last. In the end they disappoint, break, wear out, or lose their allure. By contrast, Yahweh declares, “I am the last.”
Yahweh is both the first and the last; beside [Yahweh], there is no God. He rules over all of history. Because he established the ancient people and he has determined the things that are coming. Yahweh implores his people, “Don’t fear, neither be afraid.”
Honestly, there are many things in the world today that make Christians afraid. How are we to overcome our fears? Isaiah explained that Yahweh would give believers the Holy Spirit. I will pour my Spirit on your descendants. That prophecy was fulfilled 700 years later as recorded in Acts 2.
For God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Since the Savior came to dwell among us, not only does idolatry no longer increase, but it is getting less and gradually ceasing to be…When the sun has come, darkness prevails no longer; any of it that may be left anywhere is driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every direction are enlightened by His teaching. St. Athanasius, 296 AD, On the Incarnation, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press
Isaiah 44:9 Everyone who makes a carved image is vain.
The things that they delight in will not profit.
Their own witnesses don’t see, nor know, that they may be disappointed.
10 Who has fashioned a god,
or molds an image that is profitable for nothing?
11 Behold, all his fellows will be disappointed;
and the workmen are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together.
Let them stand up.
They will fear.
They will be put to shame together.
12 The blacksmith takes an ax,
works in the coals,
fashions it with hammers,
and works it with his strong arm.
He is hungry,
and his strength fails;
he drinks no water,
and is faint.
13 The carpenter stretches out a line.
He marks it out with a pencil.
He shapes it with planes.
He marks it out with compasses,
and shapes it like the figure of a man,
with the beauty of a man,
to reside in a house.
14 He cuts down cedars for himself,
and takes the cypress and the oak,
and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest.
He plants a cypress tree,
and the rain nourishes it.
15 Then it will be for a man to burn;
and he takes some of it and warms himself.
Yes, he burns it and bakes bread.
Yes, he makes a god and worships it;
he makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
16 He burns part of it in the fire.
With part of it, he eats meat.
He roasts a roast and is satisfied.
Yes, he warms himself
and says, “Aha! I am warm. I have seen the fire.”
17 The rest of it he makes into a god,
even his engraved image.
He bows down to it and worships,
and prays to it, and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”
18 They don’t know, neither do they consider,
for he has shut their eyes, that they can’t see,
and their hearts, that they can’t understand.
19 No one thinks,
neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say,
“I have burned part of it in the fire.
Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals.
I have roasted meat and eaten it.
Shall I make the rest of it into an abomination?
Shall I bow down to a tree trunk?”
20 He feeds on ashes.
A deceived heart has turned him aside;
and he can’t deliver his soul,
nor say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”
Next, Isaiah mockingly contrasts the insecurity and foolishness of those who trust in idols with the security of those who trust in Yahweh. A pagan searches for a nice tree in the forest, cuts it down, and uses the wood to build a fire. With the fire, he keeps warm, bakes some bread, and roasts some meat, and is satisfied. But something is missing in his life. He needs a higher power to devote his life to, a god to worship and to deliver him. So he takes what is left of the tree and carves it into a god saying, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” Absurd! Can a tree trunk deliver his soul?
Can you understand the futility of placing your faith in something or someone who is neither first nor last? Such foolishness will eternally destroy your soul. Wealth can never ultimately satisfy your soul. Satisfaction can only come by being reconciled with God.
Why do you spend money on what cannot nourish you and your wages on what does not satisfy you? Isaiah 55:2
Idolatry is understood as any substitute of what is created for the Creator. People may worship nature, money, power, history, or social or political systems instead of the God who made them all… A man can place anyone or anything at the top of his pyramid of values, and that is ultimately what he serves. The ultimacy of that service profoundly affects the way he lives. When the society around him also turns away from God to idols, it is an idolatrous society and therefore is heading for destruction. Herbert Schlossberg, Idols for Destruction.
Isaiah 44:21 Remember these things, Jacob and Israel,
for you are my servant.
I have formed you.
You are my servant.
Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions,
and, as a cloud, your sins.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth!
Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of your trees,
for Yahweh has redeemed Jacob,
and will glorify himself in Israel.
24 Yahweh, your Redeemer,
and he who formed you from the womb says:
“I am Yahweh, who makes all things;
who alone stretches out the heavens;
who spreads out the earth by myself;
25 who frustrates the signs of the liars,
and makes diviners mad;
who turns wise men backward,
and makes their knowledge foolish;
26 who confirms the word of his servant,
and performs the counsel of his messengers;
who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited;’
and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be built,’
and ‘I will raise up its waste places;’
27 who says to the deep, ‘Be dry,’
and ‘I will dry up your rivers,’
28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure,’
even saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built;’
and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”
As God forgets our sins Israel is encouraged to remember the blessings of Yahweh their Redeemer. Although taken into captivity, Yahweh promises you will not be forgotten by me. The city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt and inhabited. How is this going to happen? Cyrus, He is my shepherd!
45:1 Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their armor, to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:
2 “I will go before you
and make the rough places smooth.
I will break the doors of bronze in pieces
and cut apart the bars of iron.
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness
and hidden riches of secret places,
that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who calls you by your name,
even the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob my servant’s sake,
and Israel my chosen,
I have called you by your name.
I have given you a title,
though you have not known me.
5 I am Yahweh, and there is no one else.
Besides me, there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not known me,
6 that they may know from the rising of the sun,
and from the west,
that there is no one besides me.
I am Yahweh, and there is no one else.
7 I form the light
and create darkness.
I make peace
and create calamity.
I am Yahweh,
who does all these things.
8 Rain, you heavens, from above,
and let the skies pour down righteousness.
Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation,
and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it.
I, Yahweh, have created it.
How will the captives of Israel escape from the grip of Babylon?
For the sake of his people, Yahweh … anointed Cyrus, the king of Persia, to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their armor, to open the doors before him. Although Cyrus did not worship Yahweh, he was told, “I have called you by your name. I have given you a title, though you have not known me.”
Yahweh used Cyrus to conquer Babylon, freeing Israel to return to their homeland so that the whole world may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west that there is no one besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. Ezra 1:1-3
God has complete authority over history and nations. He alone rules over the events of the world. He forms the light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates calamity. In other words Yahweh brings both blessing and judgment.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker—
a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth!
Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’
or your work, ‘He has no hands’?
10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What have you become the father of?’
or to a mother, ‘What have you given birth to?’”
How foolish is it to strive against your Maker? Some people say that there is no God. Some people say they won’t believe in God because they think they are being treated unfairly. Some people worship false gods. To make his point, Isaiah gives two ridiculous examples.
Can a lump of clay strive against the one who is fashioning it?
Can an inanimate object complain about how it is used? No!
Can a prospective father seek the approval of his un-conceived son?
Must a mother seek permission from her un-conceived son before she gives birth? No!
As crazy as this may sound there have been several instances recently where children have actually sued their parents for giving birth to them without their permission. Such lawsuits have proven to be as futile as trying to strive against God!
Isaiah 45:11 Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel
and his Maker says:
“You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons,
and you command me concerning the work of my hands!
12 I have made the earth, and created man on it.
I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens.
I have commanded all their army.
13 I have raised him up in righteousness,
and I will make all his ways straight.
He shall build my city,
and he shall let my exiles go free,
not for price nor reward,” says Yahweh of Armies.
As we saw prophesied in Ezra 1:1-3, Yahweh, who rules over the whole earth, raised up Cyrus as his servant to let [the] captives go free and to build the city of Jerusalem. And Cyrus was compelled to do all of this simply because God decreed it. He did not do it for price nor reward.
Isaiah 45:14 Yahweh says: “The labor of Egypt,
and the merchandise of Ethiopia,
and the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you,
and they will be yours.
They will go after you.
They shall come over in chains.
They will bow down to you.
They will make supplication to you:
‘Surely God is in you; and there is no one else.
There is no other god.
15 Most certainly you are a God who has hidden yourself,
God of Israel, the Savior.’”
16 They will be disappointed,
yes, confounded, all of them.
Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together.
17 Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation.
You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting.
There will come a time when other nations will declare that surely God is in you; and there is no one else. There is no other god. But those who reject Yahweh and continue to worship idols will be disappointed to ages everlasting.
Conversely, those who believe will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation.
Which would you prefer; everlasting disappointment or everlasting salvation? Salvation has been freely offered to you.
Isaiah 45:18 For Yahweh who created the heavens,
the God who formed the earth and made it,
who established it and didn’t create it a waste,
who formed it to be inhabited says:
“I am Yahweh.
There is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret,
in a place of the land of darkness.
I didn’t say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’
I, Yahweh, speak righteousness.
I declare things that are right.
20 “Assemble yourselves and come.
Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations.
Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image,
and pray to a god that can’t save.
21 Declare and present it.
Yes, let them take counsel together.
Who has shown this from ancient time?
Who has declared it of old?
Haven’t I, Yahweh?
There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior.
There is no one besides me. (Titus 2:13)
22 “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
23 I have sworn by myself.
The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall take an oath. (Philippians 2:10-11, John 5:22)
24 They will say of me,
‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’”
Even to him will men come.
All those who raged against him will be disappointed.
25 All the offspring of Israel will be justified in Yahweh,
and will rejoice! (Philippians 3:20)
God did not [speak] in secret. Yahweh is imploring all the ends of the earth, particularly those who reject him and worship idols, to understand that in reality, there is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior.
The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 45:23.
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11
There will come a time when everyone, even those who rejected him in this life, will have to acknowledge that Christ is indeed Lord of all. Paul’s point is to plead with everyone to come to Christ as Savior, to accept his gift of salvation before it is too late, before they are condemned to eternal punishment. If the living knew what the dead know, if the living knew of the reality that will confront them immediately after death, everyone would believe in Jesus. Luke 16:19-31
46:1 Bel bows down.
Nebo stoops.
Their idols are carried by animals,
and on the livestock.
The things that you carried around are heavy loads,
a burden for the weary.
2 They stoop and they bow down together.
They could not deliver the burden,
but they have gone into captivity.
3 “Listen to me, house of Jacob,
and all the remnant of the house of Israel,
that have been carried from their birth,
that have been carried from the womb.
4 Even to old age I am he,
and even to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear.
Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
When Israel was taken into captivity they carried the Babylonian idols, Bel and Nebo, thinking carved wood could help them. It became clear that these idols could not deliver them from captivity. Engaging in irrational behavior inevitably leads to dire consequences. Or as my grandchildren like to say, “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Yahweh chides Israel; they were carrying the heavy load of worthless gods because they had forgotten that God had carried them from their birth, carried them from the womb, even to old age … I will carry and deliver.
I think if we are honest, we too can admit to succumbing to the idols of our age. Ask yourselves, what needless, worthless burdens are we carrying around? Remember God has carried you from the womb and promises to carry you through old age and into eternity.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Isaiah 46:5 “To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal,
and compare me, as if we were the same?
6 Some pour out gold from the bag,
and weigh silver in the balance.
They hire a goldsmith,
and he makes it a god.
They fall down—
yes, they worship.
7 They bear it on their shoulder.
They carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there.
It cannot move from its place.
Yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer.
It cannot save him out of his trouble.
8 “Remember this, and show yourselves men.
Bring it to mind again, you transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other.
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I declare the end from the beginning, (John 13:19)
and from ancient times things that are not yet done.
I say: My counsel will stand,
and I will do all that I please.
11 I call a ravenous bird from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
Yes, I have spoken.
I will also bring it to pass.
I have planned.
I will also do it.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,
who are far from righteousness! (John 1:30)
13 I bring my righteousness near.
It is not far off,
and my salvation will not wait.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
my glory to Israel.
Driving the point home, Yahweh asks in effect, “How can you be so foolish to even compare me to your idols? Are they my equal? You pour out gold from a bag, weigh out silver, hire a goldsmith, and he fashions a god that you fall down…and worship. Then you have to carry it around. And when you cry to it, yet it cannot answer.
Where do you turn in times of trouble? Instead of putting faith in idols, things, and people that cannot save them from trouble, Israel, as well as believers today, are commanded to remember all of the miraculous and wonderful things that God has done in the world, in their lives. Remember…make a list, check it twice!
I am God, and there is none like me.
I declare the end from the beginning …
Next Yahweh reveals to Israel his judgment on Babylon.
Isaiah 47:1 “Come down and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, daughter of the Chaldeans. For you will no longer be called tender and delicate.
2 Take the millstones and grind flour.
Remove your veil, lift up your skirt, uncover your legs,
and wade through the rivers.
3 Your nakedness will be uncovered.
Yes, your shame will be seen.
I will take vengeance,
and will spare no one.”
4 Our Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies is his name,
is the Holy One of Israel.
5 “Sit in silence, and go into darkness,
daughter of the Chaldeans.
For you shall no longer be called
the mistress of kingdoms.
Isaiah compares Babylon to a disgraced woman, sitting in the dust in shame.
Why will Babylon be shamed?
Wasn’t she the instrument that God used against Israel?
Isaiah 47:6 I was angry with my people.
I profaned my inheritance
and gave them into your hand.
You showed them no mercy.
You laid a very heavy yoke on the aged.
7 You said, ‘I will be a princess forever,’
so that you didn’t lay these things to your heart,
nor did you remember the results.
8 “Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures,
who sit securely,
who say in your heart,
‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.
I won’t sit as a widow,
neither will I know the loss of children.’
9 But these two things will come to you in a moment in one day:
the loss of children and widowhood.
They will come on you in their full measure,
in the multitude of your sorceries,
and the great abundance of your enchantments.
10 For you have trusted in your wickedness.
You have said, ‘No one sees me.’
Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you.
You have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’
11 Therefore disaster will come on you.
You won’t know when it dawns.
Mischief will fall on you.
You won’t be able to put it away.
Desolation will come on you suddenly,
which you don’t understand.
God is the Lord of history. He raised up Assyria to bring harsh but necessary discipline against Israel. He empowered Babylon to conquer Judah. He raised up Persia to defeat Babylon so that after 70 years of captivity, Judah could return to their homeland.
True, God had allowed Babylon to conquer Israel, giving his people into Babylon’s hand but Babylon had refused to show mercy. They were ruthless, warped, and arrogant, [laying] a very heavy yoke on the aged. Additionally they trusted in their wickedness and said, No one sees me, God announced that desolation will come on [Babylon] suddenly.
God judges the nations; he expects even unbelievers to follow his universal moral Law. He expects even conquering armies to show restraint. God judges societies. There is never any excuse for crimes against humanity, exploitation, cruelty, or slavery. Although Yahweh is a patient God, nations that ignore God’s universal moral Law, refusing to show mercy and restraint will one day find themselves facing his judgment. Psalm 103:8
Listen to the message God commanded the Prophet, Amos, to deliver to the nations who refused to show compassion and restraint.
I will crush you
as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14 The swift will not escape,
the strong will not muster their strength,
and the warrior will not save his life.
15 The archer will not stand his ground,
the fleet-footed soldier will not get away,
and the horseman will not save his life.
16 Even the bravest warriors
will flee naked on that day,”
declares the Lord. Amos 2:13-16
Rest assured Yahweh will judge nations for their sins and that judgment cannot be escaped.
Isaiah 47:12 “Stand now with your enchantments
and with the multitude of your sorceries,
in which you have labored from your youth,
as if you might profit,
as if you might prevail.
13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels.
Now let the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from the things that will happen to you.
14 Behold, they are like stubble.
The fire will burn them.
They won’t deliver themselves from the power of the flame.
It won’t be a coal to warm at
or a fire to sit by.
15 The things that you labored in will be like this:
those who have trafficked with you from your youth will each wander in his own way.
There will be no one to save you.
Yahweh had revealed the truth to the Babylonians and shown them amazing signs and wonders through the prophet Daniel while they held him captive. Yet they ignored Yahweh and looked elsewhere for revelation. They relied on magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers for guidance. But their counsel was false, no better than stubble to be burned in the flame. And that is just what Yahweh going to do, burn them in the flame.
When people feel abandoned or unanswered by God, in unbelief they run for guidance, strength, and power elsewhere. Ancient demonic practices once recognized as occult now repackaged in modern language; tarot readings, mediums, spirit manifestations, horoscopes, enneagrams, and parapsychology, offer solutions and power.
Based on this what might God think of people today who rely on astrologers, stargazers, mediums, and enneagrams? Leviticus 19:31
After Israel had leveled charges of neglect against Yahweh, Yahweh brought the matter into his courtroom for adjudication.
Isaiah 48:1 “Hear this, house of Jacob,
you who are called by the name of Israel,
and have come out of the waters of Judah.
You swear by Yahweh’s name,
and make mention of the God of Israel,
but not in truth, nor in righteousness—
2 for they call themselves citizens of the holy city,
and rely on the God of Israel;
Yahweh of Armies is his name.
In his closing statement Yahweh exposed the hypocrisy of his people. Though they identified themselves by his name and though they were proud to call themselves citizens of the holy city, Jerusalem, they did not live in accordance with the truth nor follow righteousness. They were obstinate. They were still in rebellion against God.
Isaiah 48:3 I have declared the former things from of old.
Yes, they went out of my mouth, and I revealed them.
I did them suddenly, and they happened.
4 Because I knew that you are obstinate,
and your neck is an iron sinew,
and your brow bronze;
5 therefore I have declared it to you from of old;
before it came to pass I showed it to you;
lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them.
My engraved image and my molten image has commanded them.’
6 You have heard it.
Now see all this.
And you, won’t you declare it?
“I have shown you new things from this time,
even hidden things, which you have not known.
7 They are created now, and not from of old.
Before today, you didn’t hear them,
lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’
8 Yes, you didn’t hear.
Yes, you didn’t know.
Yes, from of old your ear was not opened,
for I knew that you dealt very treacherously,
and were called a transgressor from the womb.
God says that he has carefully detailed for Israel the things that will come to pass so that they will not credit their idols for their good fortune saying, “My idol has done [these things].”
Yahweh says, “Therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass. Then Yahweh asks, “Won’t you declare it?”
Why did God deal so graciously with such obstinate, sinful, stiff-necked people?
Isaiah 48:9 For my name’s sake, I will defer my anger,
and for my praise, I hold it back for you
so that I don’t cut you off.
10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver.
I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I will do it;
for how would my name be profaned?
I will not give my glory to another.
12 “Listen to me, O Jacob,
and Israel my called:
I am he. I am the first. I am also the last. (John 1:30; Revelation 1:8, 17)
13 Yes, my hand has laid the foundation of the earth,
and my right hand has spread out the heavens.
when I call to them, they stand up together.
14 “Assemble yourselves, all of you, and hear!
Who among them has declared these things?
He whom Yahweh loves will do what he likes to Babylon,
and his arm will be against the Chaldeans.
15 I, even I, have spoken. Yes, I have called him.
I have brought him and he shall make his way prosperous.
Do you remember the Covenant ceremony? In Genesis 15:8-21 God made a Covenant Promise to Abraham. God swore an oath on himself that he would keep his Promise to Abraham and all of Abraham’s descendants to always be their God, to protect them, and ultimately to bring salvation to both them and to the inhabitants of all of the nations of the earth.
When God made his Promise to Abraham he swore the oath on himself because he had no one greater to swear by. Hebrews 6:13
So here God is reminding Israel that because of his Covenant Promise, “For my name’s sake, I will defer my anger, and for my praise, I hold it back for you so that I don’t cut you off.” Yahweh will defer [his] anger because God unconditionally loves his children. Because of his Covenant Promise, he will never leave nor forsake his children. Deuteronomy 31:6&8 Instead he will both save and refine Israel in the furnace of affliction. To refine is to remove all of her impurities.
Isaiah 48:16 “Come near to me and hear this:
“From the beginning I have not spoken in secret;
from the time that it happened, I was there.”
Now the Lord Yahweh has sent me
with his Spirit.
17 Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“I am Yahweh your God,
who teaches you to profit,
who leads you by the way that you should go. (John 3:2)
18 Oh that you had listened to my commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river
and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 Your offspring also would have been as the sand
and the descendants of your body like its grains.
His name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.”
20 Leave Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans!
With the sound of joyful shouting announce this,
tell it even to the end of the earth;
say, “Yahweh has redeemed his servant Jacob!”
21 They didn’t thirst when he led them through the deserts.
He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them.
He also split the rock and the waters gushed out.
22 “There is no peace”, says Yahweh, “for the wicked.”
Yahweh is motivated by his unconditional love for his people. He laments,
Oh that you had listened to my commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river
and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 Your offspring also would have been as the sand
and the descendants of your body like its grains.
In summarizing the testimony in the courtroom Yahweh highlights his prophetic knowledge over all kings, rulers, and events so that Israel will trust in and worship him alone. What had Yahweh revealed? To review, because of their idolatry and accompanying unrighteousness, Israel will be taken into captivity to Babylon according to Yahweh’s plan so that they will be refined. They will be taught that he is the one and only true God, and in the process they will repent and call on the Name of God. They will abandon their idols and turn back to their God of all power. When the time of captivity is over Yahweh will use Cyrus, a Gentile king to deliver his people.
In the next chapter and following Isaiah builds on the theme of the greater deliver, God’s Servant. Just as Yahweh used Cyrus to deliver his people from captivity, he will send his Servant to deliver, not only Israel but also the nations of the world from their sin and their captivity to Satan’s lies. The focus will now be on the ultimate deliverer, the Messiah. This was alluded to in Isaiah 48:19 – Your offspring also would have been as the sand and the descendants of your body like its grains.
When Yahweh made his Covenant with Abraham he promised that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Genesis 22:17 And although Israel is still rebellious, nevertheless Yahweh announces that he is going to do a new thing to solve the problem of mankind’s rebellion, unfaithfulness, and alienation from God.