The God Who Carries and Redeems: Yahweh's Sovereignty over Idols
Isaiah 46:1-13
1Bel bows; Nebo stoops; their idols have become a burden for the living creature and for the animal; your burdens are carried, a load for the faint.2They stoop; they bow together; they cannot escape the burden, and their soul has gone into captivity.3Hear me, O house of Jacob and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who are carried from the belly, you who are lifted from the womb.4Even to old age I am he, and to grey hairs I will bear; I have made and I will lift and I will bear and I will deliver.5To whom will you liken me and compare me, and liken me and make me equal?6Those who lavish gold from the purse and weigh silver on the scales hire a refiner and make him into a god; then they prostrate themselves and also bow.7They lift him upon the shoulder; they bear him and set him in his place, and he stands; he does not move; even if one cries to him, he does not answer; from his distress he does not save him.8Remember this and be manly; return, you transgressors, to heart.9Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is no other; there is no god like me.10Declaring from the beginning the end, and from ancient times what has not been done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my pleasure."11Calling from the East a bird of prey, from a far land a man of his counsel; I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have formed it, and I will do it.12Hear me, you mighty of heart, who are distant from righteousness.13I have brought near my righteousness; it will not be far; and my deliverance will not delay; and I have given deliverance in Zion for Israel my beauty.