Isaiah 46
About IsaiahWritten by AI
Isaiah is the first of the major prophets and one of the books the New Testament quotes most often. Isaiah son of Amoz preached in Jerusalem from about 740 to 700 BC, during the reigns of four kings of Judah, while the Assyrian empire threatened the land. Many scholars think chapters 40 to 66 come from later writers in the time of the exile and return. Many Christians hold that Isaiah wrote the whole book, noting that the New Testament quotes both halves under his name.
The book moves from judgment to comfort. Chapters 1 to 39 confront Judah's sin and the proud nations, with the history of King Hezekiah at the center. From chapter 40 the tone changes: “Comfort, comfort My people.” God promises to bring His people home, and the book ends with new heavens and a new earth.
Watch for God's title, the Holy One of Israel, and for the promised King from David's line and the Servant of the LORD who suffers for others. Christians see both fulfilled in Jesus, though some prophecies are read differently among believers.
Before you read Isaiah 46Written by AI
Babylon's gods, Bel and Nebo, have to be carried on the backs of animals as the city falls. The contrast is beautiful: Babylon carries its idols, but God has carried His people from birth and will carry them into old age. He alone declares the end from the beginning.
Babylon’s Idols
Bel crouches; Nebo cowers.
Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle.
The images you carry are burdensome,
a load to the weary animal.
The gods cower; they crouch together,
unable to relieve the burden;
but they themselves go into captivity.
“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been sustained from the womb,
carried along since birth.
Even to your old age, I will be the same,
and I will bear you up when you turn gray.
I have made you, and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and deliver you.
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal?
To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?
They pour out their bags of gold
and weigh out silver on scales;
they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god,
so they can bow down and worship.
They lift it to their shoulder
and carry it along;
they set it in its place, and there it stands,
not budging from that spot.
They cry out to it, but it does not answer;
it saves no one from his troubles.
Remember this and be brave;
take it to heart, you transgressors!
Remember what happened long ago,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me.
I declare the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
I summon a bird of prey from the east,
a man for My purpose from a far-off land.
Truly I have spoken,
and truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it,
and I will surely do it.
Listen to Me, you stubborn people,
far removed from righteousness:
I am bringing My righteousness near;
it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion
and adorn Israel with My splendor.