Today's Reading:

Isaiah 46
Isaiah 47
Isaiah 48
Isaiah 49
Psalm 135

God used Babylon as a tool to discipline Israel, but he never gave them unlimited power. He used Babylon as a tool, but they used excessive cruelty and were brutal to Israel. So, He revoked Babylon’s title of a dominating nation. Even in judgment, God remains just. Even though Babylon was His tool, He held them accountable for taking things too far. God will still judge the oppressors and knows when they are being excessive. Babylon was only “hired” for the time being, they ignored God and that He controls all. So when Babylon abused their temporary power, and were cruel against the vulnerable, God brought them down. He noticed their lack of mercy.

Babylon had turned to sorcerers, and astrology, instead of the true God. Since they had been dealing with dark demons for so long, God mocked them, “Maybe your dark arts will save you this time!” God is sovereign over every nation, yet He never ignores cruelty or the lack of mercy.

God still notices how we treat the vulnerable. Are there places in your life where God has given you influence or authority? Are you using it with mercy or with harshness?

Isaiah chapters 43-45 and 46-49 feel similar. In both Isaiah tells of the idols being useless and God is the only true God, He is the “I AM.” They are not just repeating the same thing. Isaiah is looking at the same mountain of judgment in two different angles.

Isaiah 43-45 “You belong to Me.”

• This was on comfort and personal assurance that God is there. He is speaking in love.
• The main message was “Fear not, you are Mine.”
• God is love, redemption, and bringing a new thing.
• God calls Israel by name and made a new highway through the wilderness.
• These words were for the fearful who had been exiled.
• Cyrus would be God’s anointed and would deliver the people.
• The I AM statement was God’s declaration

Isaiah 46-49 “Stop carrying idols, I am carrying you.”

• This was on confrontation and correction, they needed both. God is speaking firmly to His people.
• Stop trusting in idols and your own plans.
• God is supreme, and patient even with stubborn Israel.
• God is the One carrying Israel, while they carry useless idols.
• There was a strong rebuke to rebellious, and idol loving people.
• Cyrus is referenced in the idea of deliverance but not named. The focus was on Israel’s response. He defended His right to use Cyrus as He wanted.
• The I Am statement was repeated to combat Israel’s stubborn unbelief.

Bel-Marduk, was Babylon’s chief god, like Baal, which meant “bow down.” Nebo was the son of Bel-Marduk which was the Baal or god of “wisdom and scribes.” Babylon was turning to idols, they represent everything Israel was tempted to trust. Isaiah now older, told Israel not to follow Babylon’s idols. The idols would weigh them down in burden and lead back to slavery.

The Messiah (the ideal servant) declared that even if Israel felt abandoned, God had not forgotten them. His love for them is stronger than a mother’s love for her nursing child (49:15). God will restore His people, raise up Zion, and all will one day bow before the Lord’s anointed. Pointing to Jesus who brings salvation

Psalm 135- This was a psalm of praise most likely written after the Babylonian exile. As a call for the priests and Levites (servants of the Lord) to worship the God and His Temple. God chose Israel as His treasure. This echoes yesterday’s reading from Isaiah 43:1 and 44:1-2 where God said, “I chose you” and “You are Mine.”

Celebrate God as the sovereign Creator, not just God but THE GOD. From Exodus to the Promised land battles, He fights for His people. In contrast like Isaiah’s idol mockery, from chapters Isaiah 44:9-20 and 46:1-7, the idols are powerless, made by human hands. Those who make them and trust in them, become like them; spiritually dead and empty.

Today's Discussion question:

God still notices how we treat the vulnerable. Are there places in your life where God has given you influence or authority? Are you using it with mercy or with harshness?

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