God vs. Idols (Part 2) (Isaiah 46:1-47:15)
The sermon outline can be found in the ministry guide.
Does it matter what we believe? At a time when “you do you, I do me” is so culturally acceptable, to insist that there is a right set of beliefs seems tone-deaf, if not downright offensive and intolerant. We live in an increasingly pluralistic age. Many no longer think there is the truth, but many “truths”—you can have your “truth”, I can have my “truth”. Just don’t impose your truth on me, and I won’t impose mine on you. Many no longer think there is one way, but many ways—all equally valid. But is belief merely subjective? Is it really OK to believe anything as long as we’re sincere and well-meaning? Does it matter what we believe?
The apostle Paul certainly thought so. Speaking to the pluralistic Greeks, with their many gods and philosophies, Paul declared, “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you, ‘The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man… The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17)”
Paul insists there is one true God, who made all things. This God does not want us to remain ignorant of Him. Thus, he has revealed Himself, that we might know and worship only Him. More than 700 years before Paul, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed a similar message. As we have seen so far in Isaiah 40-45, God declares His greatness and uniqueness, so that people might turn away from their idols and trust in the true God. “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other,” God says (Isa 45:22).
Idols are doomed, but only God saves.
In our text for today, Isaiah 46-47, God continues to reason with us. It matters what we believe because different beliefs lead to very different outcomes. These two chapters presents us with two opposing ways: one leads to judgement; the other to salvation. Babylon and its idols will be judged, but those who trust in the Lord shall be saved. These chapters are a sober warning about the outcome of idolatry. At the same time, they invite us to turn to the gracious God. Here’s the big idea: Idols are doomed, but only God saves. We’ll unpack this in two points.
Idols are doomed (Isa 46:1-2; 47:1-15)
Our passage begins with a look into Babylon’s future. The once-mighty Babylon, which terrorised the world, has been defeated. Babylon, which had taken Israel captive, is itself going into exile. Isaiah 46:1-2 portray the Babylonians as refugees fleeing with whatever worldly possessions their animals can carry. This includes their idols Bel and Nebo. Bel, Babylon’s chief god, was supposed to be the most powerful. Nebo was Bel’s son. He was the god of writing and wisdom. Bel and Nebo were supposed to know the future. The Babylonians consulted their idols annually to find out what would happen in the coming year.
But the irony here is that instead of people bowing down to worship Bel and Nebo, these idols are the ones that bow down and stoop (Isa 46:1). Instead of bearing the people’s burdens, the idols are burdensome. They are borne as burdens on weary beasts (Isa 46:1). Instead of saving their worshipers, they themselves go into captivity with the people. The idols have no power to save. Foolish are those who depend on them. See Isaiah 45:20, “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save.”
This was a wake-up call to God’s people, who are tempted to trust in worldly power for help. Judah’s king Hezekiah tried to get the Babylonians on his side, in the hope that they would help Judah. In the Bible, Babylon represents worldliness — the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride in possessions. Who or what is our “Babylon”? What worldly things are we tempted to depend on rather than God? It might be power and influence. We seek a name for ourselves to feel significant or secure. We crave approval and affirmation from others. We want to be recognised. We’d rather be served than to serve others.
Or, we might be tempted to trust in success and prosperity. Life is good, as long as we are performing well. We look to our academic results, bank accounts, property values, career prospects, or health for our assurance and hope. For some of us, our pleasure is our Babylon. The most important thing in life is our own happiness. For some others, we might be tempted to trust in our ability to control, plan and manage our lives.
But Babylon and her idols cannot save. These verses show the folly of false gods. Not only are the idols helpless, but they also become a tiresome burden to all who trust in them. Idols always over-promise and under-deliver. Instead of renewing our strength, idols constantly demand more from us. For example, if I worship money, I will exhaust myself chasing after more money, because it cannot satisfy. If I idolise marriage, then I will be frustrated when my spouse falls short of my ideal. If I idolise my children, they might grow weary of having to live up to my expectations. If I idolise health, then I might despair when age and illness make me frail. Anxiety and the fear of disease and death will overshadow my life.
Do we realise our idols cannot bear the weight we put on them? We think they can carry us, but we end up carrying them.
Do we realise our idols cannot bear the weight we put on them? We think they can carry us, but we end up carrying them. Who or what are we trusting in to carry us through life, from youth to old age? Idols have no power to save. We become like what we worship. Isaiah 47 speaks of the doom of those who trust in doomed idols. Babylon, like its idols, will face God’s judgement. It matters what we believe. Idolatry and destruction are inseparable. The former will ultimately lead to the latter.
Historical Babylon represents the world in rebellion against God. It shows us what idolatry and worldliness look like. Babylon’s sins are still very much with us today. We observe them in the world, but also in our own lives and hearts. Babylon was self-indulgent. It pursued pleasure and enjoyed the finer things in life. Isaiah 47:1 likens Babylon to a young princess who has been pampered and spoiled by life’s luxuries. But judgement will come: “Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate.” Babylon is described as a lover of pleasures (Isa 47:8). She is an example of our self-indulgent, consumeristic culture that takes pride in having more stuff. But comfort and pleasure can lull us into a complacent, false sense of security. Babylon “sits securely” (Isa 47:8), thinking her prosperity will protect her.
But God will put in proud Babylon in her place. Look at Isaiah 47:2-4. Her fine clothing will be replaced by nakedness. Her soft hands will be put to hard labour. Her arrogance will be brought low. God will judge Babylon and redeem Israel. Babylon exalted herself, but God is the Holy One who is truly high and lifted up. Babylon boasted of her military prowess, but her might is nothing compared with the LORD of Heaven’s armies.
Look at Isaiah 47:5-7. Babylon mercilessly abused her power. Instead of humbly acknowledging God’s sovereign hand behind her success, Babylon oppressed others. Babylon was cruel and callous, thinking she could carry on without being held accountable. Babylon boasted, “I shall be mistress forever” (Isa 47:7a). Those of us who are in positions of authority, do we realise it was God who put us there in the first place? Are we humble and grateful? How would we use our authority to serve others?
See Isaiah 47:9-10. Instead of looking to God, Babylon trusted in sorceries and enchantments (Isa 47:12). Her false religion told her what she wanted to hear. She felt secure in (her) wickedness. But Babylon’s so-called wisdom and knowledge have led her astray. We imagine our wits and resourcefulness will save us. We think we can always come up with a plan. As Babylon will discover, however, her confidence is misplaced. See Isaiah 47:11, “But evil shall come upon you, which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.” Judgement will catch Babylon completely unaware and unprepared.
Babylon mistakenly thought her future was secure. See Isaiah 47:13-14. Babylon has listened in vain to all her the astrologers, fortune tellers and soothsayers. How ironic that they look to the heavens and the stars for guidance, but not to the God who made them all. They cannot even predict the future to save their own lives. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame (Isa 47:14). This brings to mind the Babylonian magicians in the Book of Daniel who had no answer to their king’s questions. Worldly wisdom cannot save us.
Our idols will always fail. Since they are man-made, they will always be limited by what man can do. So, cast aside our useless idols.
In the end, Babylon will be abandoned and helpless. “There is no one to save you” (Isa 47:15b) Worldly pomp and power will not last. Proud Babylon imagined herself to be a god. Look at Isaiah 47:8, 10. She said in her heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me”. Does this sound familiar? It is a pathetic parody of what God says of himself, “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God” (Isa 45:5a). This echoes Adam and Eve’s sin of wanting to be like God. Since the fall, we have tried to make ourselves gods in the place of the true God. Idolatry is ultimately self-worship. We make gods in our own image and get them to do what we want. But this is precisely why our idols will always fail: Since they are man-made, they will always be limited by what man can do. So, cast aside our useless idols. Only God is worthy of our worship, adoration and trust. Hear the God says in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other.” Turn to Him, because only God saves.
Only God saves (Isa 46:3-13)
Isaiah 46:3-13 contrasts the true God with the false idols. Once again, God shows us His greatness that we might trust in him. Does Isaiah sound repetitive? Perhaps it’s because we are often spiritually forgetful and stubborn. The truth of God’s greatness bears repeating because we often lose sight of who He is, especially when we are so caught up with the cares and concerns of life.
God wants us to take these truths deep into our hearts, so that they transform how we live. God wants these truths to take root and bear good fruit in our lives. Notice the commands in these verses: “Listen to me” (Isa 46:3,12); “Remember” (Isa 46:8, 9). Listen to God and remember what He says about Himself in His word. Whenever we hear a sermon, read the Bible, or take part in a Bible study, ask ourselves: “What is God revealing about Himself in His word? How should this change my life?” Here, God reveals four truths about Himself: He carries us from beginning to end; He is incomparable; He rules over everything; and He draws near to save.
(1) He carries us from beginning to end
Look at Isaiah 46:3-4 — “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to grey hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
The idols need to be carried, but God carries His people.
See the vast difference between God and the idols. The idols need to be carried, but God carries His people. He knew us even before we were born, while we were still in our mother’s womb. God is our Maker. We owe our life and existence to Him. How reassuring and comforting! This recalls the words of David in Psalm 139, “You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” For this reason, we should value and protect the lives of the unborn.
Some of us have experienced the pain and sorrow of losing unborn children. Be comforted, for God knows them. They are precious to Him. Parents: remember that God knows our children. Their lives are in His hand. Do not be anxious or fearful. We can entrust our children to their Creator.
God is intimately involved in our lives. Surely He who fashioned us in our mother’s womb knows us better than we know ourselves. Our entire life, from the cradle to the grave, is in His hands. Growing older can be difficult. Our bodies get weaker. Aches and pains become a routine part of our lives. Our minds slow down. We experience the sadness of family and friends passing away. We struggle with loneliness. Our hopes and joys may dim in the twilight of life. Remember what God says in Isaiah 46:4, “Even to your old age I am he, and to grey hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
I encourage those of us who are younger to build spiritual friendships with the older saints among us. When we are younger, we may struggle to grasp how much we need to depend on God. Those who are in the seasons ahead of us can show us what it looks like to trust God through life. Hopefully as we grow older, we will see more clearly how our Creator carries us from beginning to end. He has numbered our days. However many days God grants us, we can be sure that as our days, so shall our strength be. So, cast our burdens on the God who carries us.
(2) He is incomparable
Look at Isaiah 46:5-9. Again, God declares His uniqueness. He is God, and there is no other. Unlike the incomparable God, the idols are the work of human hands. They do not exist on their own but have to be made out of silver and gold. The idols are unable to do anything on their own but have to be carried about. How ironic that they have to rely on their worshippers! False gods neither answer prayer nor save those who cry out for help. Do we realise that our idols have no inherent power except that which we give to them?
God, however, is strong to save. He hears and answers prayer. God is self-existent. He made us; we did not make Him.
God, however, is strong to save. He hears and answers prayer. God is self-existent. He made us; we did not make Him. So, remember who God is and return to Him (Isa 46:8). How have we transgressed the great commandment to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind? The incomparable God will not give His glory to any other. He calls us to repent of our idolatry. Repent of how we have trusted in ourselves and other things, rather than in God. Repent of how we have neglected God and looked instead to the world for our joy, security, and satisfaction. Repent of how we have served ourselves and other things, rather than God.
(3) He rules over everything
In Isaiah 46: 10-11, unlike the helpless idols, God rules over everything. He knows the end from the beginning because he is absolutely sovereign. Nothing can get in the way of God accomplishing His plan and purpose for all of creation. As we’ve heard in previous chapters, God will raise up the Persian king Cyrus. He is the “bird of prey from the east” who will defeat Babylon and allow Israel to return to Jerusalem. God is King over the nations. He rules over time and history. Because He controls the future, He can carry us across our lifetime, from birth to youth to old age. God knows our past, present, and future. Amid the ups and downs of life, we can rest in the sovereign God.
Our hope and security are founded upon the certainty of God’s promises. What He has spoken, He will accomplish.
Our hope and security are founded upon the certainty of God’s promises. What He has spoken, He will accomplish. He has promised good to His people. This does not mean that our lives will be free from trouble. Remember, God is speaking to Israel, whom He has disciplined by sending into exile. But even in our trials, we can trust God to work all things together for our holiness and joy in Him. If we belong to God by faith, then we can be assured of this: God is with us through fire and flood, refining us and making us fit for heaven. We worship God in the trenches of real life. Although we may not always understand what God is doing, we can trust Hm because we know Him. God is God and we are not. Should we not expect His thoughts and ways to be higher than ours?
God has graciously put us in a local church, for us to encourage one another to hope in Him. Look around. Each of our personal stories testifies to how the sovereign God is faithful and good. Let’s share our stories to encourage one another. Talk with one another about how God has worked and is working in your life. Talk about what God is teaching you about Himself.
(4) He draws near to save
God has shown us the doom of the idols. He has revealed His greatness: He carries us. He is incomparable. He rules over everything. Therefore, do not harden our hearts or be stiff-necked. God invites us to turn back to Him. Look at Isaiah 46:12-13 — “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.” Come to God, for he draws near to save.
God is the perfect embodiment of righteousness. He is the standard of what is right, true, and good. But we have all sinned and fallen far short of God’s glory. As Isaiah 64:6 says, even our righteous deeds are “like filthy rags”. Before a perfectly holy and righteous God, the only appropriate response is to cry out with the prophet Isaiah, “Woe is me! I am lost” (Isa 6:5). This is why we need God to save us.
Praise God that even though we are far from His righteousness, He has not kept His distance from us. He has not stood far off, expecting us to make the first move to cross the impossible chasm of our sinfulness. God proclaims good news to us: “I bring near my righteousness.” God will draw near to save sinners. His salvation will not delay, for it has arrived with the coming of God’s beloved Son. Jesus is our righteousness, if we repent and believe in Him to save us. So, do not be stubborn or hard-hearted. Why insist on being right in our own eyes, when God offers us true righteousness in His Son?
Jesus fulfilled the law by living a righteous life, perfectly obeying His Heavenly Father. Jesus took on Himself the righteous demands of God’s law, which says sin must be punished. Jesus bore God’s judgement in our place, if we trust in Him. God declared Jesus righteous by raising Him from the dead. Therefore, if we are in Christ, God counts us righteous. We are right with God because Jesus gives us His righteousness. We are justified (declared righteous by God) through faith alone in Christ alone.
God’s righteousness is not far off. God is not telling us to try harder to be righteous. He is not telling us to clean ourselves up before we come to Him. God is calling us to trust in His Son today to save us.
Therefore, God’s righteousness is not far off. God is not telling us to try harder to be righteous. He is not telling us to clean ourselves up before we come to Him. No, God is calling us to trust in His Son today to save us. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. What we believe matters. Will we believe in Jesus? The salvation that God has promised has drawn near in Christ. Romans 10:8-9: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”