Idols Cannot Save: Understanding the True God in Isaiah 46

Executive Summary ✨

Isaiah 46 delivers a powerful message: the idols of Babylon, Bel and Nebo, are helpless burdens, utterly unable to save their worshippers. This chapter contrasts sharply with the power and sovereignty of the One True God, Yahweh, who carries His people from birth and will sustain them until their old age. The futility of idol worship is laid bare as the idols are manufactured, decorated, and then carried around, dependent on human care. Yahweh, however, declares His unique ability to declare the end from the beginning, to accomplish His purposes, and to bring salvation near. The chapter emphasizes the incomparability of God and serves as a timeless reminder of where true hope and security reside. It compels us to examine our own reliance on earthly idols and turn to the unfailing strength and wisdom of the Almighty, reflecting on the teachings of the Coptic Orthodox Church regarding the true nature of God.

This chapter, Isaiah 46, is a stern warning against idolatry and a powerful affirmation of God’s sovereignty. It highlights the futility of trusting in anything other than the living God. Let’s delve into the depths of this profound passage and discover its enduring message for us today, understanding that idols cannot save, only the one true God can.

Commentary Sections 📖

Isaiah 46:1 (KJV)

Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

Isaiah 46:1 (NKJV) Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; Their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages were heavily loaded, A burden to the weary beast.

Bel and Nebo, two principal deities of Babylon, are here depicted as bowing down, a stark contrast to their supposed divine power. This humiliation underscores their powerlessness. The idols, far from being majestic and awe-inspiring, become a burden. Carried on beasts of burden, they become heavy loads. This illustrates the irony of idol worship: the supposed gods become dependent on those who worship them. It is a poignant illustration of vanity.

Spiritual Application: How often do we carry burdens that are not ours to bear? Burdens of material possessions, worldly anxieties, or unhealthy relationships. We must cast these burdens upon the Lord (Psalm 55:22) who can truly sustain us. Remember the words of St. Peter, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

Isaiah 46:2 (KJV)

They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

Isaiah 46:2 (NKJV) They stoop, they bow down together; They could not deliver the burden, but have themselves gone into captivity.

The idols “stoop” and “bow down together,” emphasizing their utter inability to offer any deliverance. Not only can they not deliver their worshippers, but they themselves are taken into captivity. The word “captivity” hints at the future downfall of Babylon at the hands of Cyrus the Great. This verse vividly shows the emptiness of relying on false gods; they can offer no solace or salvation in times of trouble.

Patristic Insight: St. Athanasius in *Contra Gentes* writes against the absurdity of idol worship, “εἰ γὰρ δυνάμεις εἶχον, οὐκ ἂν ἐδέοντο ἑαυτῶν φυλάττοντος· νῦν δὲ ἀδυνατοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς ὠφελεῖν, πῶς ἄλλοις τοῦτο παρέξουσιν;” (For if they had power, they would not need someone to guard them; but as it is, being unable to help themselves, how will they provide this to others?). This resonates powerfully with Isaiah’s depiction of helpless idols.

Spiritual Application: Let us not put our trust in things that are fleeting or powerless. True security and peace come only from God. As Orthodox Christians, we understand the importance of icons, but we venerate them as windows to heaven, not as deities themselves. They point us to the true source of salvation – Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 46:3-4 (KJV)

³Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: ⁴And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

³Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who are upheld by Me from birth, Who are carried from the womb; ⁴Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Here, the tone shifts dramatically. Yahweh speaks of His enduring care for Israel, from the moment of conception to old age. He emphasizes His active role in their lives – “borne by me from the belly,” “carried from the womb.” This intimate imagery highlights God’s constant presence and protection. Unlike the Babylonian idols, which are burdens carried by their worshippers, God carries His people. This promise of lifelong support is a powerful testament to His faithfulness and unconditional love.

Biblical Connection: Compare this to Psalm 22:10, “I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.” This echoes the same theme of God’s intimate involvement from the very beginning of life.

Spiritual Application: We are reminded that God’s love and care are unwavering. He is with us in every stage of life, offering comfort, strength, and guidance. We must trust in His providence and rely on His promises, knowing that He will never abandon us. This verse speaks directly to the importance of placing our faith in a God who actively participates in our lives, a God who is not a lifeless idol but a living, breathing presence.

Isaiah 46:5-7 (KJV)

⁵To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? ⁶They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship. ⁷They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

⁵To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal And compare Me, that we may be alike? ⁶They lavish gold out of the bag, And weigh silver on the scales; They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god; They prostrate themselves, yes, they worship. ⁷They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it And set it in its place, And it stands; From its place it shall not move. Though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer Nor save him out of his trouble.

These verses deliver a scathing critique of the absurdity of idol-making and worship. The rhetorical question in verse 5 challenges any attempt to compare God to created things. The process of creating an idol is meticulously described: gold and silver are lavishly spent, a goldsmith is hired, and finally, the idol is made. But the idol is lifeless and immobile, requiring human effort even to stand. It cannot answer prayers or offer salvation. The contrast between the true God, who carries His people, and the idols, who must be carried by their worshippers, is striking.

Scientific Context: Archaeological discoveries have unearthed numerous examples of ancient Near Eastern idols made of precious metals and stones. These artifacts provide tangible evidence of the practices described in Isaiah’s prophecy, highlighting the pervasiveness of idol worship in the ancient world.

Spiritual Application: We must be vigilant against the temptation to create “idols” in our own lives – things that we elevate above God, whether they be material possessions, career ambitions, or even relationships. We must remember that true worship is directed towards God alone, the source of all goodness and truth.

Isaiah 46:8-9 (KJV)

⁸Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. ⁹Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

⁸Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors. ⁹Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,

Isaiah urges the people to “remember” and “bring it again to mind.” This is a call to repentance and a return to the true God. He reminds them of His past faithfulness and His unique identity as the one and only God. There is no other deity comparable to Him. This is a foundational principle of monotheism and a central tenet of our Coptic Orthodox faith.

Liturgical Connection: In the Divine Liturgy, we repeatedly proclaim, “Lord have mercy,” acknowledging our transgressions and seeking God’s forgiveness. This echoes Isaiah’s call to remember our sins and return to God.

Spiritual Application: We are constantly bombarded with messages that compete for our attention and allegiance. It is crucial to remember who God is and what He has done for us. By meditating on Scripture, praying, and participating in the sacraments, we can strengthen our faith and resist the allure of false idols.

Isaiah 46:10-11 (KJV)

¹⁰Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: ¹¹Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

¹⁰Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ ¹¹Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it; I will also do it.

These verses emphasize God’s sovereignty and His ability to foretell and fulfill His purposes. He declares “the end from the beginning,” highlighting His knowledge and control over all of history. He will raise up Cyrus, described as a “ravenous bird from the east,” to execute His plan and deliver Israel from captivity. This underscores the fact that God is not bound by time or circumstance; He works all things according to His will.

Patristic Insight: St. Cyril of Alexandria comments extensively on God’s omniscience and omnipotence in his commentaries on Isaiah. He emphasizes that God’s foreknowledge does not negate human free will, but rather demonstrates His ability to orchestrate events to fulfill His divine plan.

Spiritual Application: We can find comfort and hope in knowing that God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic or uncertain. We must trust in His wisdom and believe that He will ultimately work all things together for good (Romans 8:28). This requires surrendering our own plans and desires to His divine will.

Isaiah 46:12-13 (KJV)

¹²Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: ¹³I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

¹²Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness: ¹³I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.

The final verses are directed towards the “stouthearted” who are “far from righteousness.” God offers them hope by bringing His righteousness near and promising that His salvation will not tarry. He will place salvation in Zion, for Israel, His glory. This speaks of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would bring salvation to all who believe. Zion, the city of David, becomes the symbol of God’s saving presence.

Theological Connection: This verse foreshadows the coming of Christ, the ultimate expression of God’s righteousness and salvation. As Orthodox Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Old Testament.

Spiritual Application: No matter how far we may feel from God, He is always ready to welcome us back with open arms. We must humble ourselves, confess our sins, and seek His forgiveness. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can experience His righteousness and receive the gift of salvation. 💡 Seeking support through services that support your spiritual health like dohost.us can be helpful too.

The Futility of Idols 💡

The chapter emphasizes the fundamental difference between the living God and lifeless idols. Here are some key reflections:

• Idols are manufactured: They are products of human craftsmanship, dependent on human skill and resources.
• Idols are immobile: They must be carried and placed in their positions; they cannot move or act independently.
• Idols are unresponsive: They cannot answer prayers or offer help in times of trouble.
• Idols are burdensome: They become a weight and a responsibility, rather than a source of comfort and strength.
• God is self-existent: He is the creator of all things, not a creation of human hands.
• God is active: He carries His people, guides them, and delivers them from danger.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Isaiah 46:

• Q: Why does Isaiah focus so much on the idols of Babylon?
  A: Babylon was a major world power at the time, and its religion posed a significant threat to the faith of Israel. Isaiah uses the idols of Babylon as a symbol of all false gods and the dangers of idolatry.
• Q: What is the significance of God declaring “the end from the beginning”?
  A: This highlights God’s omniscience and His control over history. He is not limited by time or circumstance; He knows the future and works all things according to His divine plan.
• Q: How does Isaiah 46 relate to the New Testament?
  A: The promise of salvation in Zion foreshadows the coming of Christ, the Messiah, who would bring salvation to all who believe. The rejection of idols is also echoed in the New Testament’s warnings against materialism and false gods.
• Q: What does this chapter teach us about trusting in God?
  A: Isaiah 46 teaches us to trust in the living God, who is powerful, faithful, and loving. He is the only true source of security and hope, unlike idols which are powerless and ultimately lead to disappointment.

Conclusion ✨

Isaiah 46 is a powerful reminder of the futility of idolatry and the sovereignty of God. Idols cannot save; they are helpless burdens that depend on human care. In stark contrast, the One True God carries His people from birth to old age, declaring the end from the beginning and fulfilling His purposes. This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are not placing our trust in anything other than the living God. By remembering His faithfulness and relying on His promises, we can experience His unwavering love and find true security in His divine presence. Let us turn away from the empty promises of idols and embrace the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of God’s righteousness and salvation.

Tags

Isaiah, Isaiah 46, Bible commentary, Coptic Orthodox, Idolatry, Babylon, Bel, Nebo, True God, Salvation

Meta Description

Dive into a Coptic Orthodox verse-by-verse commentary of Isaiah 46: “Idols Cannot Save.” Discover the power of the True God compared to the futility of Babylonian idols, revealing timeless spiritual truths.