May 9 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Isaiah 46 reveals to us a turning point in world history. In this chapter Isaiah passes on a vision he has received from the LORD about an event which will take place almost two centuries later. Isaiah’s prophecy discloses that Babylon, the mighty world empire, is on its way out and the Persian Empire is coming of age. The rise and fall of two superpowers is not coincidental but subject to God’s work in the church.

The Lord uses this development in world history to impress on His people His sovereignty and uniqueness. He, and not any pagan god, controls the course of events. Idols are dead and offer no security. The church must come to realize that their deliverance and salvation are from the LORD alone. He can rescue them, since He is not like the idols of the nations. This is why God deliberately takes the time to contrast Himself with the dead gods of the peoples. Israel’s God is like no other—He is living, active and mighty and never subject to earthly powers.

When Nebuchadnezzar took Judah captive, he thought he had captured Judah’s God, too. In the ancient world the fortunes of a nation were believed to be tied to its gods. If the gods were destroyed, the nation perished. If the nation was defeated its gods were doomed. Nebuchadnezzar, as a pagan ruler, didn’t know any better. He had no understanding of the covenant relationship, in which it is possible for the LORD to leave and forsake a people as an act of judgment. The idols of the nations are completely different from the LORD. They cannot do more than what those who carry them allow them to do. Which god is like the living God, the Creator of heaven and earth? Who can be compared to Him? Let the idols show what they are made of! Let the gods demonstrate that they, at least in part, are able to do something. The truth of the matter is: they can’t.

The Babylonians think their gods are quite something, but these idols are inanimate, powerless objects that literally sit there and look stupid! They cannot hear or speak. Their worshippers can shout as loudly as they want but that will not rouse them. Supposedly, idol worshippers feed their gods rich food and serve them wine to drink.

This is where the deceitfulness of sin leaves people. The worshippers of idols become consumed by their own folly.