The LORD Empowers Cyrus (Isa 44:24-45:8)
The LORD is the Nations' Only Hope (Isa 45:14-25)
Isaiah 45:14: The Nations will recognize God with Israel as His people
The LORD's work through Cyrus will be so spectacular that the other nations will be enslaved and even pray to Israel as if it were some sort of intermediary to the LORD (Isa 45:14). This is to emphasize the great extent that God will glorify Himself in defeating and impressing Israel's enemies -- not to advocate praying to Man as an intermediary to God. The Catholics practice this by praying to Mary and deceased "Saints" but it is nowhere advocated in the Bible. In fact, it is explicitly spoken against (see this link for more information). The changing of the attitudes of Israel's enemies in revering God is the beginning of this section of judgement on idol worship.
Isaiah 45:16-17: Idols will be shown to be worthless
The nations that worship and fashion idols will all be humiliated for trusting in them (Isa 45:16). In contrast, Israel will be delivered by the LORD permanently and will never again be ashamed or humiliated because they will trust in the LORD (Isa 45:17). This is more than an earthly deliverance -- it is looking forward to our eternal deliverance in Christ (Rom 1:16, 2 Tim 1:12, Isa 28:16, Rom 9:33, Rom 10:11).
Isaiah 45:18: God is peerless
We can know that God is the LORD through creation. This is echoed in Rom 1:20. The fact that He created everything orderly and for a purpose makes Him peerless. No idol can be compared to Him! In fact, the idol-makers and worshipers didn't believe that the idols transcended creation. The very fact that God created everything puts Him above any idol -- even if the idol worshipers and makers believed that the idols were more than just dead wood. God establishes Himself as Creator in Genesis 1:1.
Isaiah 45:19-22: God speaks honestly and reliably and is the only one who can deliver
In contrast to idols that have no power, God speaks honestly and reliably (Isa 45:19). He challenges the idol worshipers to present the evidence that the idols can make reliable predictions of the future (Isa 45:20-21) and then once again establishes Himself as peerless. He is the only one who can save them (Isa 45:22).
Isaiah 45:23-25: Every knee shall bow...
Someday we will all be judged by God (Isa 45:23, Rom 14:10-12) and Jesus Christ will be exalted over all (Phil 2:9-11). Some will be saved and others condemned (John 3:18) though all will acknowledge that God is the one true God.
The LORD Carries His People (Isa 46:1-13)
Isaiah 46:1: Idols are a burden that have to be carried
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| The Cyrus Cylinder. Cyrus gives credit to the Babylonian god Marduk for choosing him and enabling him to conquer Babylon. [3] |
Bel (another spelling of Baal) and Nebo were the most prominent gods in Babylon and their images (not carved wooden idols) were carried in the annual New Year's Festival procession in Babylon [1]. Although they were once paraded around, they are now a weary burden for oxcarts and donkeys to carry (Isa 46:1). These worthless idols can't help anyone and can't even help one-another as they are hauled away by Cyrus's forces (Isa 46:2). The famous Cyrus Cylinder depicts Cyrus accepting Babylon's gods and paying homage to them [2].
Isaiah 46:3-4: In contrast to idol images that have to be carried, Israel is carried by the LORD
Israel was carried from birth (Isa 46:3) and will be carried even when old by the LORD (Isa 46:4). The LORD always carries Israel. He carried them through the desert (Deut 1:31) and He carries them like a shepherd carries a lamb (Ps. 28:9) [1].
Isaiah 46:5-7: Idols have to be carried
Once again, the LORD talks about how idols have to be carried from place to place (Isa 46:7) and that they are incomparable to Him (Isa 46:5). Once again, the LORD emphasizes how idols cannot deliver someone from their distress (Isa 46:7).
Isaiah 46:8-13: The LORD admonishes Israel to remember His reputation. He once again promises to deliver her.
Questions (repeated from last time)
1. The language of this passage sounds harsh and would probably offend some people. On the other hand, an issue as serious as idolatry should be addressed in a serious way. How do we balance the command to proclaim the Gospel with acting in a spirit of gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15) or do we?
Some people are to be rebuked “sharply” (Titus 1:13)
Yet, we must be kind to everyone (2 Tim 2:25)
These two concepts of being kind yet rebuking error sharply complement each other -- they do not contradict.
Phil Johnson from Gracelife says:
“Paul is calling for every possible demonstration of patience, kindness, magnanimity, and longsuffering. People will not be won to the truth by relentless scolding. If your rebukes and corrections are flavored with exasperation rather than true concern for the flock, if you deal out reproach after reproach and upbraiding after upbraiding without a true spirit of gentleness, you're not being a true shepherd.[3]”
Here are some additional resources about preaching with gentleness and respect:
https://www.thegracelifepulpit.com/sermons.aspx?code=2013-06-23-PJ
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/gentleness-and-respect/
https://www.gty.org/library/bibleqnas-library/QA0144/do-believers-always-need-to-be-ready-to-defend-the-gospel
2. What should we be preaching to people?
The Gospel in-context. There are different methods of doing that for example:
which reflects Romans 3:21-26
3. Who should we be preaching the Gospel to?
“every creature” (Mark 16:15-16)
“the highways and hedges” (Luke 14:23)
“All Nations (make disciples)” (Matthew 28:19-20)
“be witnesses to the ends of the Earth” (Acts 1:7-8)
You can preach the Gospel to your friends, family, or people on the street or the internet.
4. Can serving the Church become an idol? What are some ways ministry can become an idol?
“If we only rejoice in God because of what He is doing through us and not because of what He has already done for us, we cherish our ministry more than Him. If our awe for what He is doing through us surpasses our awe for what He has done for us, we have made ministry our god." - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Ministry idolatry is something that can sneak up on you. After all, how could performing an activity that serves the Lord be bad? Here are a few links describing this subtle but deadly snare:
5. What are some other idols in our society and across the world?
6. If we go into an Asian restaurant and see a Buddha statue, should we say something to the restaurant workers? Should we be eating there at all?
Here are some resources that might help answer that question:
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Oswalt, J. N. (1998). The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40–66 (p. 228). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2. Walker, L. L., Elmer A. Martens. (2005). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Lamentations (Vol. 8, p. 202). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
3. Corduan, W. (2017). 2 Chronicles. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 695). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
