Isaiah 46 GNV
Summary: Isaiah mocks the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo, pictured as burdens loaded on weary animals, unable even to save themselves let alone carry anyone, stooping and bowing down together into captivity. In sharp contrast, the LORD reminds Israel that He has carried them from birth and will continue to carry and deliver them even to old age and gray hairs, unlike lifeless idols that must be carried. He again asserts uniqueness, declaring the end from the beginning and calling Cyrus, "a ravenous bird from the east," to execute His purpose, since what He has planned He will surely do. The chapter closes calling the "stouthearted," who are far from righteousness, to listen, promising salvation for Zion and glory for Israel.
1Bel is bowed downe: Nebo is fallen: their idoles were vpon the beastes, and vpon the cattell: they which did beare you, were laden with a wearie burden.
2They are bowed downe, and fallen together: for they coulde not rid them of the burden, and their soule is gone into captiuitie.
3Heare ye me, O house of Iaakob, and all that remaine of the house of Israel, which are borne of me from the wombe, and brought vp of me from the birth.
4Therefore vnto olde age, I the same, euen I will beare you vntill the hoare heares: I haue made you: I will also beare you, and I will cary you and I will deliuer you.
5To whom will ye make me like or make me equall, or copare me, that I should be like him?
6They draw gold out of the bagge and weigh siluer in the balance, and hire a goldsmith to make a god of it, and they bowe downe, and worship it.
7They beare it vpon the shoulders: they carie him and set him in his place: so doeth he stand, and cannot remoue from his place. Though one crie vnto him, yet can he not answere, nor deliuer him out of his tribulation.
8Remember this, and be ashamed: bring it againe to minde, O you transgressers.
9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none other God, and there is nothing like me,
10Which declare the last thing from the beginning: and from of olde, the things that were not done, saying, My counsell shall stand, and I will doe whatsoeuer I will.
11I call a birde from the East, and the man of my counsell from farre: as I haue spoken, so will I bring it to passe: I haue purposed it, and I will doe it.
12Heare me, ye stubburne hearted, that are farre from iustice.
13I bring neere my iustice: it shall not be farre off, and my saluation shall not tarie: for I wil giue saluation in Zion, and my glory vnto Israel.
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