God will care for us, take care of us, and carry us all the days of our lives. God never fails to deliver because His character is faithful.
Contrasts and paradoxes abound in the genesis verses of Isaiah 46.
Isaiah utilizes powerful contrasting imagery to reveal that the one, true God is greater than the gods made of stone and wood that the Israelites had left God for.
The first pair of verses of Isaiah 46:1-2.
“Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight. Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together.” —Isaiah 46:1-2
Isaiah clicks a snapshot of Bel and Nebo, idols which the Israelites have given themselves over to.
- Bel and Nebo are given human traits. They bow down and submit to their masters. Loses position of authority. Inferior position of power.
- Bel and Nebo are defeated idols who are now taken into captivity. Can no longer carry out the duties of a deity.
- Bel and Nebo are inable to save themselves or those who worship them, the Israelites. Weak and helpless.
The second pair of verses of Isaiah 46:3-4.
“I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I have made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and will save you.” —Isaiah 46:3-4
Isaiah presents the powerful and tender attributes of Yahweh, whom the Israelites have rejected.
- God is depicted as a parent, maternal figure. Who carries the Israelites before they are born. Who has cared for them since they were born. Who will continue to care for them. Maintains position of authority as parent.
- God will remain with them from their birth to their death. Can execute and carry out all duties as a deity parent.
- God will take care of them and save them all the days of their life. Strong and powerful.
Isaiah carefully lays out contrasting realities of fake idols versus Yahweh God.
Political fall. The idols the Israelites worshipped were unable to save them from a fall into captivity by their enemies.
Spiritual fall. The Israelites’ deliberate disconnect from God shatters their relationship with Him and sends them to a 70 year wilderness in the land of their enemies.
Yet despite turning from their first love, God wants His people to know that He will continue to care for them, to their gray hairs and eternity.
No matter how far we walk away from God to find other loves, He is faithful.
Just as God is faithful to the Israelites, He will remain faithful to you. Trust in the faithfulness of this Real Truth.