God Restoring the World — Isaiah 46&47

“Carried”

Isaiah 46&47 contain two warnings to two, at least perceived, different audiences, both which strongly affirm the majesty and Sovereignty of the Holy One of Israel, but which also serve as comforts for God’s faithful people. The first in chapter 46, as we’ll consider in our devotional meditations, is that God carries His people, and it is unconscionable that His people then persist in carrying idols! There is herein and “warning of comfort”. The second message is clearly to Babylonia- and comes due to their treatment of His people as well as their pride and security in themselves. But the real audience her is the people of God, and the warning of comfort is in the fact that God does see, He will make all things right — that His justice and salvation are imminent. In these chapters there is great comfort for us in abiding trust in Him as the one true God, casting aside our idols, and trusting Him to bring justice when we are wronged — He is in control!

Monday- READ- Isaiah 46 Idols

Isaiah 46 is a continuation of God’s calling out the idolatry of His people, and notable contrast to His own supremacy and majesty at the one true God. What themes strike you the most? Which verses in this chapter are the most convicting? Which are the most reassuring? Where do you need these words most in your life?

Tuesday- READ- Isaiah 47 Posture

Isaiah 47 prophesies the fall of Babylon for her roles in the abuse of the people of God, even inasmuch as Babylon was chosen to be an instrument of God’s punishment of His people. Note the imagery of sitting and standing and of the sources of security in the chapter. How does Isaiah use posture here to convey God’s justice? How would Babylon have understood their “posture” among the nations of their times? Read Matthew 23:11–12- What is your spiritual “posture” before the Lord?

Wednesday- READ- Isaiah 46:1–4 Carry

In these four verses is a stark picture of God’s people carrying their “gods” into captivity, and yet the Lord contrasts this sad image with the fact that “I have made you and I will carry you; I will bear you and rescue you.” This pastoral imagery is meant to shake and to comfort. It is incomprehensible that the idols that “caused” God’s judgment are brought along into that judgment and not cast into the sewer! And yet, God says, He will “bear” His own, a tender choice of words denoting maternity. How have you seen God “carry” you? Where have you failed to cast away worthless things, and in fact still “carry” them with you in you Christian life?

Thursday- READ- Isaiah 46:5–5–7 Absurdity

God again asks the rhetorical question- “To whom will you compare me?” And then he goes on to articulate the absurdity of the process by which an idol is designed, crafted, and carried about. While little gold statues do not resonate with our cultural understanding of idolatry, what like equivalents might there be in our culture? How is materialism a fitting parallel, how is it not?

Friday- READ- Isaiah 46:8–13 ?

The chapter then ends with God reminding His readers that He does in fact “declare the end from the beginning” and He beckons- “Listen to me…”, that His justice and salvation or impending, in Israel, a prophecy referring to Cyrus in the closer context and Christ’s coming in the larger context. How has God’s plan of “justice and salvation” been accomplished already? How is it yet to be realized? Have you listened? Has God’s plan of salvation unfolded in your life, personally?

Saturday- READ- Isaiah 47 (again) Humbled

The Pride of “Chaldea”, or Babylon is brought low in Isaiah 47, and the reason is given in verse 6&7. This “word” to God’s ancient enemy ought bring comfort to God’s people everywhere in all times, including today. That is that God keeps His promises — Justice will be served, the wicked punished, and the proud brought low. Where do you need to be reminded of God’s complete control this fall, this month, this week? Read Eph.4:15 — Is there a hard conversation that you need to have in the spirit of speaking the truth in love today?

Sunday- READ- Acts 17:16–17 & 22–31The God Who Made the World

Thinking on the themes this week from Isaiah 46&47, we see Paul addressing the same ideas in Acts 17 to a group of greek philosophers. As you prepare to worship today give praise to God for relationship with Him through Jesus Christ — that God has revealed Himself to us through His Son contrasted to the idols of the Old Testament, the early church, and even to today!