‏ Isaiah 46

* The idols could not save themselves, but God saves his people.

(1-4) The folly of worshipping idols. (5-13)

1-4 The heathen insulted the Jews, as if their idols Bel and

Nebo were too hard for Jehovah. But their worshippers cannot

help them; both the idols and the idolaters are gone into

captivity. Let not God's people be afraid of either. Those

things from which ungodly men expect safety and happiness, will

be found unable to save them from death and hell. The true God

will never fail his worshippers. The history of the life of

every believer is a kind of abstract of the history of Israel.

Our spiritual life is upheld by his grace, as constantly as our

natural life by his providence. And God will never leave them.

The Author will be the Finisher of their well-being, when, by

decays, they need help as much as in infancy. This promise to

Israel, enfeebled and grown old as a nation, is applicable to

every aged follower of Christ. When compassed about with

infirmities, and perhaps those around begin to grow weary of

you, yet I am He that I have promised to be, He that you would

have me to be. I will bear you up; carry you on in your way, and

carry you home at last. If we learn to trust in and love him, we

need not be anxious about our remaining days or years; he will

still provide for us and watch over us, both as the creatures of

his power, and as new-created by his Spirit. 5-13 Here the folly of those who made idols, and then prayed to

them, is exposed. How does the profuseness of idolaters shame

the niggardliness of many who call themselves God's servants,

but are for a religion which costs them nothing! The service of

sin always costs a great deal. God puts it to them what

senseless, helpless things idols are. Let, then, the Jews show

themselves men, avoiding such abominations. Many Scripture

prophecies, delivered long ago, are not yet fulfilled; but the

fulfilling of some is an earnest that the rest will come to

pass. Nothing can help more to make us easy, than to be assured

that God will do all his pleasure. Even those who know not and

mind not God's revealed will, are called and used to fulfil the

counsels of his secret will. Heaven and earth shall pass away,

sooner than one tittle of the word of God. Obstinate sinners are

addressed. Such were far from acceptance, but they were summoned

to hearken to the word of the Lord. The salvation of a sinner

begins with a humble and contrite heart, that trembles at God's

word, with godly sorrow working true repentance, and faith in

his mercy, through the obedience unto death of our Divine

Surety. Christ, as the Divine righteousness and salvation to his

people, would come in the appointed time. His salvation abides

in his church for all believers.