Isaiah 46
COMMENTARY:
: 5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? (4911 “compare” [mashal] means to represent, liken, be like, make a comparison between two objects or be similar.)
DEVOTION: The previous chapter and the beginning of this chapter describe false worship given to gods made by humans. In Isaiah’s day they made gods of wood and precious metal. They carried their gods with them wherever they went. When they stopped they put their gods down and worshipped them. Then they had to pick up their gods and carry them to the next location.
The LORD informs HIS people that these gods can do them no good. They are false gods.
Then the LORD through Isaiah asks a simple question. Who can be like the real God? Who can be equal to the real God? Who can be similar to the real God? The final comment is asking whom we should make ourselves like.
Then the LORD states the fact that there is no God except HIM. Our society wants to exclude God from every part of their lives. They want to substitute things for God.
The problem is that some of our churches put up false gods to worship. Some churches put up the god of external rules. In these churches if someone obeys the external rules they are going to heaven. Other churches state that there are no rules because Christ died for our sins we are all going to heaven and can do whatever we want until we get there.
Both groups are making false gods. The God of the Bible wants to change us from within. HE works from the inside out. We obey external rules because of an internal nature that wants to please God. We want to say “thank you” to God for HIS provision of salvation. We want to live in the “law of liberty” in Christ.
The word “remember” is used twice in this chapter to cause us to think about who is going to be our God. How big is our God? How powerful is our God? How sovereign is our God? When we pray, does God answer our prayers?
The people in this chapter pray to their false gods and never receive an answer. Each day is a choice. We need to make the right choice. Are we praying to the God of the Bible? Are we serving the God of the Bible? HE has no equal.
CHALLENGE: Continually update your view of the God of the Bible. This can only be done through the meditation on the Word of God. God speaks to us through HIS Word.
: 10 Declaring 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. (6098 “counsel” [‘etsah] means purpose, advice, plan, course of action, scheme, or advisement.)
DEVOTION: Sometimes we think that it would be good to know what to do each day before we start the day. If God would just send an angel to keep us walking down the right roads and doing the right things with HIS guiding hand on our shoulder, so that, we didn’t make any mistakes or sin against HIM. The problem is that HE didn’t create puppets but human beings. HE allows them to make choices. HE allows them to chose which direction they are going to head.
However, HE is not the author of sin but HE does allow us to choose sin. HE never makes us sin it is our choice. We are not going to be able to accuse HIM on the Day of Judgment concerning our choices. We have to live with our choices. We will spend eternity with our choices.
HE was there before the world was created. HE will be there when this present world is melted with a fervent heat and there will be a New Heaven and a New Earth. Our world began with HIM and will end with HIM. HE is eternal
HIS plan will stand. HE is doing HIS own good pleasure with this world. It seems like it has gotten away from HIM but that is just the way we feel about things. HE has HIS hand on what is happening. HE is giving everyone a choice to follow HIM or to reject HIM.
Isaiah has been repeatedly expressing these facts to the children of Israel because their ears need cleaning out and their eyes need to be opened to the truth of what is being stated. If their ears and eyes were opened they would repent. They would realize that that is the only logical choice to make.
The same is true today for all those who are walking around us. They have to make a choice. We can instruct them in the Word of God but they have to hear and see these truths and then take action. Our prayers should be that we can convey these truths in such a way that they could become a follower of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: The repetition of the truth that there is only one true God has to sink into our heads and hearts, so that, we feel the need to do more sharing of these truths.
:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). Counsel – 6098 עֵצָה, עֵצָה [ʿetsah /ay·tsaw/]- counsel, advice, purpose.
DEVOTION: God is Sovereign and capable of doing what seems to us as impossible with a single command! He is make Cyrus ascend the kingdom and conquer the nation of Babylon and he has the capacity to call the bird of prey to consume its meat. We are amazed when we ask the Lord for something and it is completed, astonished when unspoken needs are met but God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. As he fed Elijah by the mouth of ravens and caused the oil and flour to continue for a widow and her son so He is today! Nothing is too big or small for the Lord to control and be attentive to. If the Lord has spoken it, He will bring it to pass. As He brings it to pass it will because He purposed it; and what He purposes He will do! Once the words have proceeded from His mouth the act is as good as done!
In the New Testament Paul explained it this way; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Ro 8:28–31)
When God says something it will occur! WE can be sure and confident in His word! A caution here is in order; Make sure that the promise or claim you are claiming is from the Lord and that it is to you not someone else!
CHALLENGE: God is Sovereign and in control of all things! He will produce the circumstance, event or time period that makes His word to be truth. Study carefully, think, ask big things and believe God! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
: 12 Hearken to ME, you stouthearted, that are far from righteousness. (3820 “stouthearted” [leb] means one’s inner self, the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) undertood as the heart, character, disposition, inclination, loyalty or seat of appetites.)
DEVOTION: It would be simple if we were not so confused in our thinking. We are not simple in our thinking. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by the LORD. HE created us in the beginning of time with the creation of Adam and Eve.
HE wanted us to listen to HIM and we found that Adam and Eve had a hard time following HIS counsel in the garden of Eden. They had everything perfect but they still wanted more. They thought that it would be better to disobey God and listen to the Devil or Satan then to just follow HIS advice alone.
We are individuals who like to have options. It was not in Adam and Eve’s nature to just listen to one opinion therefore they made room for the temptation of Satan. It is sad but true even today.
The Bible instructs us throughout the Old and New Testament what the LORD expects of HIS followers and yet we tend to try to push the limits. Our inner being likes to rebel against anyone telling us what we should do in a given situation. This has happened throughout the creation of man.
God allows us to be wrong in our thinking. HE wants us to understand that there is a right way and a wrong way. HE wants us on the right path but it is a choice we have to make each day.
If we are followers of HIM when we sin we have to confess it and understand that there are consequences of our sins. Once we confess our sin HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from unrighteousness. If we are not followers of HIM then we don’t care to confess and turn from our sins and follow HIM.
Every human being has a choice to made in regard to our relationship to HIM. Some think that when they are old they will turn to HM in their old age and follow, so that, they can go to heaven in the end.
However, most of those who think these thoughts never turn to HIM. In fact, probably all who think this way will die before they turn back from their sinful life. We have heard of deathbed confessions but that is usually not true.
CHALLENGE: We need to make sure we are not one that thinks they don’t have to start following the LORD just before they die and think they will turn from their wicked ways at that point. Remember it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement. HE knows the day but we don’t!!!
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