A Person’s Idol Is Whatever Receives the Primary Devotion and Commitment of That Person’s Heart, Whatever Consumes That Person’s Life.

The Powerlessness of False Gods to Save Their Worshippers 

⁵“With what in all of heaven and earth do I compare? Whom can you find who equals me? ⁶ Will you compare me with an idol made lavishly with silver and with gold? They hire a goldsmith to take your wealth and make a god from it! Then they fall down and worship it! ⁷ They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there, for it cannot move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer, for it cannot get him out of his trouble.^[1] (Isaiah46:5–7) 

False Gods Are Worthless, For They Are Unable to Help Their Followers
And Powerless to Save Their Worshippers.
Six Facts Prove Their Powerlessness:

A. They Are Not Like the Lord nor Equal to The Lord. Idols are not like the Lord nor equal with the Lord (v. 5). As the living and true God, the Lord is able to help His people by strengthening them through all the difficult situations and worldly enticements of life. Idols cannot do this, for they are neither true nor living. 

B. They Are Only the Creation of Man’s Mind, Thoughts, And Ideas. Idols are only the creation of a person’s mind (v. 6a). An honest, realistic evaluation of idols reveals that every idol has its beginning in people’s thoughts. When people conceive an idea of who God is and what He does, a god is born in their minds. Sadly, most people worship the gods of their own imaginations rather than the Lord. The Lord alone has revealed Himself in His Holy Word, the Bible, and has come to earth to reveal Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. 

C. They Are Only Tangible, Physical Objects: They Are Made by Mere Man. Idols are only material objects or ideas that are made or conceived by mere men (v. 7). In some cases, craftsmen manufacture an idol out of gold or silver, and people bow down to worship it. But today, most people worship the idols of their own thoughts, such as …

Ø  athletes

Ø  movie stars

Ø  models

Ø  sports

Ø  television

Ø  recreation

Ø  sex

Ø  wealth

Ø  possessions

Ø  comfort, a life of ease

Ø  religion

Ø  family or other loved one 

A person’s idol is whatever receives the primary devotion and commitment of that person’s heart, whatever consumes that person’s life. The Lord, the true and living God, demands our highest devotion and commitment, our best time, and the greatest energy of our bodies. If we give our greatest devotion, commitment, time, and energy to something else, we place that thing ahead of God. If a person or thing, not the Lord, becomes first in our lives, it is an idol, an object of our own creation that we worship.  

D. They Are Unable to Help or Sustain People in Life: They Have to Be Carried. Idols are unable to carry people through life; instead, they must be carried. Consider any of the idols already mentioned or any other idol in the minds or possessions of people. In all cases, idols must be carried by their creators or worshippers, whether in their minds or in their hands. Idols are lifeless, totally incapable of helping or carrying anyone through the severe hardships or wicked snares of this world. 

E. They Cannot Move (To Guide, Protect, Or Provide for People). Idols cannot move. They have no ability to move, for they exist only in the mind of the worshipper or else at the spot where they sit. Lifeless and immobile, idols are not able to help, guide, protect, or provide for people. 

F. They Cannot Answer or Save When Called Upon. Idols cannot answer people who cry out to them for help. Nor can idols save those people when they face tremendous problems. No matter how much people pray or how loudly they cry when in distress, idols cannot answer them. Idols cannot deliver or rescue them. Idols can do nothing. They have no life; consequently, they are worthless, utterly useless to their worshippers. Idols are absolutely nothing like the Lord, who is the true and living God. Because He lives, He can give believers supernatural strength to walk through any circumstances, no matter how difficult or frightening. And when believers face the final trial of life, which is death, God gives them the wonderful promise of being immediately transferred into His presence (2 Ti. 4:18). 

V  “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Ac. 17:23–31).

V  “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and to birds, four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Ro. 1:20–25).

V  “As concerning, therefore, the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in the earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Co. 8:4–6).

V  “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Co. 12:1–3).

V  “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image and prays unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Is. 45:20–22).

V  “They are upright as the palm tree but speak not: they must need be borne because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might” (Je. 10:5–6).^[2]

---

^[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters 36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

The Lord Will Protect, Guide, and Provide Whatever We Need Throughout All of Life, Even to our Old Age.

 

The Contrasting Fate of Genuine Believers

³“Listen to me, all Israel who are left; I have created you and cared for you since you were born. ⁴I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior.^[1] (Isaiah 46:3–4) 

The Fate of True Believers is the Exact Opposite of the Fate of Idolaters.

Down through the centuries, the Israelites had suffered terrifying trials and enormous loss of life due to oppression and warfare. As Isaiah foresaw the future Babylonian conquest and captivity, he saw that few Israelites would survive the slaughter of the war and the harsh deportation of the survivors. Those who were taken captive and dispersed throughout the Babylonian Empire would suffer greatly. However, note God’s admonition to listen to Him, for He had a tremendous promise for Israel, particularly those who truly believed and followed Him.

The Israelites were God’s creation as individuals and a nation. From their very conception, the Lord had taken care of them. From the day of their birth, He had carried them, nurturing and nourishing them (v. 3). Remember that Israel’s birth as a nation occurred when the people were delivered from Egyptian slavery and given God’s law at Mount Sinai. Down through the centuries, the Lord had always looked after and protected His people. When they suffered defeat and destruction at the hands of enemies, it was always due to their wicked behavior and the need for God to discipline them.

Nevertheless, even in times of disaster and chastisement, the Lord looked after His people. He was using the discipline to correct them lest they bring further harm to themselves or others. Although the discipline sometimes seemed oppressive and destructive, the Lord had always brought His people through harsh ordeals.

The Israelites were about to face more grave challenges, and the Lord wanted them to know a significant fact: He would always be with His people, even to their old age (v. 4). He is the Lord (Jehovah, Yahweh), the only living and true God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (He. 13:8). Therefore, He would continue to carry His people through their hardships. He would sustain them, hold them up, and give them the strength to walk through all the trials and temptations of the future. Just as He has done for the believers of the past, He will do for the present and future believers. The Lord will protect, guide, and provide whatever we need throughout life, even to our old age. 

V  “Let your conversation [conduct, behavior] be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (He. 13:5–6).

V  “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings and brought you unto myself” (Ex. 19:4).

V  “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them” (De. 33:27).

V  “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great” (Ps. 18:35).

V  “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Ps. 28:7).

V  “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God” (Ps. 40:17).

V  “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Ps. 91:11–12).

V  “Fear thou not; for I am with thee be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Is. 41:10).

V  “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Is. 43:1–2).

V  “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Is. 46:4).

V  “Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up” (Is. 50:9).^[2] 

Ver. 4. —God’s care for the aged. “And even to your old age, I am he,” etc.

What a contrast between God and man! Concerning how many may it be said that they are forgotten in old age! Sometimes even children are faithless to their parents, and age has died in a workhouse when children have been well-to-do. But change comes, too, in other relationships. The world does not want us when we are worn out. Its sweet songs can charm no more. The cunning of the worker’s hand fails. The preacher faints. A new generation of strength and health has won the palm. Then, mark—

I. The surprise. Even. At the time when the world draws off, God comes nearer. Weakness is always welcome to him. He loves to comfort. His infinite strength is not weakened by all outgoings of help to others. Wherever, in age, sickness confines us, or solitude keeps us, there is our Father. Even then, when heart and flesh faint and fail. He has not merely promised this, but the Jacobs of the world can attest the truth: “All my life long.” And apart from promise and experience, it is God’s nature so to do.

II. The reasons. 1. “I have made.” God will not, as Job says, forget us, because “thou hast a desire to the work of thy hands.” 2. “I have rescued.” What else says the prophet? “I will carry and deliver you.” What we could not bear away, God, in the person of his Son, will do for us. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” Hoar hairs may have their perfect whiteness, but hoar hearts have not, and we need a Saviour to the end. Nor is this all. Old age has its sorrows as well as its sins. The young have not always sympathy with the old. They do not understand what it is to feel so “alone,” with buried generations behind, who once joined in the race of life with them, and who worshipped with them in the house of God. Those who admired and understood and loved them are gone, and a generation has risen up who knows not Joseph. Beautifully does the next verse begin, “To whom will ye liken me?” “Even to your old age, I am he.” Always a Father, always Saviour, always a Friend. —W. M. S.^[3]

---

^[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters 36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[3] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1910. Isaiah. Vol. 2. The Pulpit Commentary. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Those That Fail to Learn from History are Doomed to Repeat It

 

Set Free by Turning Away from Idolatry: A Study of Idolatry

The Fate of Idolaters & Their Idols 

The idols of Babylon, Bel and Nebo,^a are being hauled away on ox carts! But look! The beasts are stumbling! The cart is turning over! The gods are falling out onto the ground! Is that the best that they can do? If they cannot even save themselves from such a fall, how can they save their worshipers from Cyrus?

³“Listen to me, all Israel who are left; I have created you and cared for you since you were born. ⁴I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior.

⁵“With what in all of heaven and earth do I compare? Whom can you find who equals me? ⁶Will you compare me with an idol made lavishly with silver and with gold? They hire a goldsmith to take your wealth and make a god from it! Then they fall down and worship it! ⁷They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there, for it cannot move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer, for it cannot get him out of his trouble.

⁸“Don’t forget this, O guilty ones. ⁹And don’t forget the many times I clearly told you what was going to happen in the future. For I am God—I only—and there is no other like me ¹⁰who can tell you what is going to happen. All I say will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. ¹¹I will call that swift bird of prey from the east—that man Cyrus from far away. And he will come and do my bidding. I have said I would do it and I will. ¹²Listen to me, you are stubborn, evil men! ¹³For I am offering you my deliverance, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save you, and I will restore Jerusalem and Israel, who is my glory.^[1] (Isaiah46:1–13) 

Set Free by Turning Away from Idolatry: A Study of Idolatry, 46:1–13 

(46:1–13) Introduction: Idolatry, Worshipping Something Other Than the Lord, Is A Horrifying Evil. It is bound to be repugnant in the sight of the Lord, the only living and true God, the Creator of the universe with its hundreds of billions of stars and galaxies. Think about it. There are over 200 billion stars in our galaxy alone, and there are also over 200 hundred billion galaxies? The numbers are staggering, beyond our comprehension or imagination. The vastness of our universe just explodes the human mind! The Lord Himself dwells in glory that mere men cannot possibly fathom. Considering His radiant glory and magnificence, the Lord must be totally repelled when anyone worships something or someone other than Him, the only living and true God. Considering God’s creation and the wonderful salvation He has provided for the human race, it is inconceivable how anyone could deny God.

Idolatry is the subject of the present Scripture. Isaiah had already predicted that Babylon would be the agent of the judgment God had pronounced upon Israel. In the present Scripture, Isaiah predicts that the Lord would also eventually judge Babylon because of its cruelty and wickedness. And the false gods and idols worshipped by the citizens of Babylon would be powerless to stop God’s judgment. Despite the people’s crying out to their gods for deliverance, the great empire would fall. The idols in which the people trusted would be helpless, unable to save them. This is the subject of the present Scripture: Set Free by Turning Away from Idolatry: A Study of Idolatry, Isaiah 46:1–13.

1.      The Fate of Idolaters and Their Idols (vv. 46:1–2).

2.      The contrasting fate of genuine believers (vv. 3–4).

3.      The powerlessness of false gods to save their worshippers (vv. 5–7).

4.      The strong appeal of God to idolaters (all false worshippers) (vv. 8–13). 

Dead Idols and the Living God

The idols of Babylon, Bel and Nebo,a are being hauled away on ox carts! But look! The beasts are stumbling! The cart is turning over! The gods are falling out onto the ground! Is that the best that they can do? If they cannot even save themselves from such a fall, how can they save their worshipers from Cyrus?^[2] 

The Fate of Idolaters and Their Idols is Described in A Sad, Tragic Picture of War.

Babylon was to be defeated in war, with all the bloody carnage of slain and wounded soldiers, the cruel slaughter and rape of citizens, and the destruction of property. As a result of Babylon’s defeat, the truth about the people’s gods would be exposed: they were false and powerless to help their worshippers. They were supposed to bring deliverance and give victory over Babylon’s enemies. But instead, they were just like the citizens of Babylon, stooping in utter defeat and bowing down before the conquering enemy (v. 1). 

The Fate of Idolaters & Their Idols

Bel, meaning lord, was another name for Marduk, the chief god of Babylon. Bel was the same false god the Canaanites worshipped as Baal. The other chief god of Babylon, Nebo, was thought to be Bel’s son. He was worshipped as the god of fate, wisdom, writing, learning, and astronomy.

The Babylonians were a very religious people and totally devoted to their so-called gods. This is clearly seen in the frequency with which the Babylonians combined the names of their gods with the names of the children. For example, Nebo (or Nebu) is part of the names Nebuchadnezzar, Nebopolassar, and Nebonidus, while Bel is part of the name Belshazzar. Naming their children after their gods shows just how much the people placed their trust in them.

Obviously, when the Babylonians faced the hardships and misfortunes of life, they turned to their so-called gods in prayer and worship, seeking their help. In particular, at times of desperation such as war or personal assault, the people would cry out to their gods to save them. But the Babylonians were to learn a much-needed lesson: their gods were false and therefore could not help them, could not meet their needs. These false gods could not carry the people through their fiery trial. Instead, the idols themselves would be carried away by their victorious enemy. Rather than rescuing the Babylonians from their burden, their so-called gods would suffer a humiliating defeat and become a burden to the weary animals that would carry them away as plunder of war (v. 2).

The graphic picture being painted of both idols and idolaters is that of utter defeat, of being either destroyed or led into captivity. False gods are not able to help or save those who worship them. Worshippers of a false god are doomed to defeat and death without the help of the Lord, the only living and true God. And when their lives are over, worshippers of false gods will feel the hand of God’s judgment. They will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is the undeniable pronouncement of God’s Holy Word:

V  “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Co. 6:9–10).

V  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Ga. 5:19–21).

V  “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Ep. 5:3–6).

V  “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Re. 21:8).^[3]

Chart: Major Idols Mentioned in the Bible

Major Idols Mentioned in the Bible
Name	Where They Were Worshiped	What They Stood For	What The Worship Included
Bel (Marduk)	Babylon	Weather, war, the sun god	Prostitution, child sacrifice
Nebo (son of Marduk)	Babylon	Learning, astronomy, science	Prostitution
Ashtoreth (Asherah)	Canaan	Goddess of love, childbirth, and fertility	Child sacrifice
Chemosh	Moab	National god	Child sacrifice
Molech	Ammon	National god	Child sacrifice
Baal	Canaan	Rain, and harvest, symbolized strength, and fertility	Prostitution
Dagon	Philistia	Harvest, grain, success in farming	Child sacrifice[4]

Child sacrifice or abortion appears to be one of the national gods of the United States. Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Considering what happened to the idol-worshippers of history as a lesson to learn, all one can say is, “we are doomed!”

---

^a 46:1  Bel and Nebo. Names of Marduk and Nabu, the two principal gods in the Babylonian pantheon.

^[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^a 46:1  Bel and Nebo. Names of Marduk and Nabu, the two principal gods in the Babylonian pantheon.

^[2] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters 36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[4] Life Application Bible Notes. 2007. Tyndale. 

Abortion and Child Sacrifice | Answers in Genesis 

Abortion, Tradition and Idol Worship | Catholic Culture 

Ancient Child Sacrifice: The Legacy of Modern Abortion - The American Vision 

What does the Bible say about child sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org 

The Person Who Lives in a Cesspool of Immorality Can Be Saved. The Person Who Has Worshipped Idols and False Gods Can Be Saved. The Person Who Has Stolen, Lied, Deceived, Burned with Hostility or Hatred, Abused or Assaulted Others, Maimed or Murdered, or Committed any Other Sinful Behavior Can Be Saved.

God’s Power to Save Everyone Within the Nations Who Turn to Him 

¹⁸ For Jehovah created the heavens and earth and put everything in place, and He made the world to be lived in, not to be empty chaos. I am Jehovah, He says, and there is no other! ¹⁹ I publicly proclaim bold promises; I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner so that no one can know what I mean. And I didn’t tell Israel to ask Me for what I didn’t plan to give! No, for I, Jehovah, speak only truth and righteousness.

²⁰ Gather together and come, you nations that escape from Cyrus’ hand. What fools they are who carry around the wooden idols and pray to gods that cannot save! ²¹ Consult together, argue your case, and state your proofs that idol worship pays! Who but God has said that these things concerning Cyrus would come true? What idol ever told you they would happen? For there is no other God but me—a just God and a Savior—no, not one! ²² Let all the world look to Me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. ²³ I have sworn by Myself, and I will never go back on My Word, for it is true—that every knee in all the world shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall swear allegiance to My name.

²⁴“In Jehovah is all my righteousness and strength,” the people shall declare. And all who were angry with Him shall come to Him and be ashamed. ²⁵In Jehovah all the generations of Israel shall be justified, triumphant.^[1] (Isaiah45:18–25) 

God Has the Power to Save All People, No Matter Where They Are From. There is only one requirement: they must turn to the Lord. In discussing His power to save people, the Lord first declares that salvation is sure. He then makes an appeal to the people of all nations. Finally, He issues a strong warning to everyone. 

A. God Wants Everyone to Know and be Confident in His Power to Save All People. No matter who they are—Gentile or Jew, idolater, or true worshipper—the Lord can save all those who genuinely trust Him. God gives three assurances to prove He has the power to save even the most stubborn and defiant of the earth: 

1) God’s enormous power to create the universe proves that He has unlimited power. Any power strong enough to create the universe can save anyone.

2) God created the earth for a very specific purpose—so that it might be fruitful and inhabited by the human race. The earth is not supposed to be empty or desolate. Given that, God will not destroy all the people of earth. He will save those who turn to the Savior for redemption (v. 15).

3) God’s Word gives the assurance of salvation, for God speaks only the truth. Longing for people to be saved, the Lord does not speak in a whisper or in a dark corner where people can barely hear. He does not encourage people to seek Him in vain; nor does He deceive people and leave them empty because they cannot understand what He is saying. Rather, the Lord speaks the truth and encourages people to seek the truth. 

B. God Longs for People to Be Saved and to Escape the Coming Judgment (Vv. 20–22). Therefore, He makes a threefold appeal to the people of all nations.

1) God appeals to people to turn from their idols because they are only material objects that cannot save them. Worshipping idols only exposes people’s ignorance. Idols have no life, so of course, they are powerless to help those who pray to them and cry out for their help.

2) God appeals to people to acknowledge that He alone is God (v. 21). He has proven His claim by foretelling the judgment of Babylon and the release of His people from captivity (v. 21). Predicting these two phenomenal events and fulfilling them in every detail is unquestionable proof that He alone is God, the righteous Lord, and Savior of the world. There is no other God.

3) God appealed to the people to look to Him in order to be saved (v. 22). He alone is God, there is no other person or so-called god who can save people from all the ends of the earth people are to look to Him for salvation.

C. In Closing His Discussion of Salvation, God Issues a Strong Warning to the People of All Nations (Vv. 23–25). The warning must be heeded, especially because it is issued under a threefold oath. The Lord swears that three events will take place: 

1) Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess to Him. This means that the entire world will bow before Christ:

V  “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So, then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God” (Ro. 14:11–12).

V  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Ph. 2:9–11).

2) Every individual who opposes the Lord and lives an unrighteous life will face God’s judgment (v. 24).

3) Every descendant of Israel (all true believers) will be declared righteous by the Lord and will enter glory with Him (v. 25). 

Thought 1. God Has the Power to Save Not Just Everyone but Anyone. No matter how sinful, wicked, or corrupt a person may be, the Lord can save that person. Christ did not come to save the righteous, those who already know and love the Lord but the unrighteous. The person who lives in a cesspool of immorality can be saved. The person who has worshipped idols and false gods can be saved. The person who has stolen, lied, deceived, burned with hostility or hatred, abused or assaulted others, maimed or murdered, or committed any other sinful behavior can be saved. No matter what wrong we have done, we can be saved.

But salvation is conditional. We must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of our sins. To repent means to turn away from sin and follow Christ, to live obediently and righteously by obeying God’s holy commandments. All who heed God’s warning—who sincerely turn away from their sins, repent, and follow Christ—will be saved. Salvation is open to all, regardless of social class, wealth, ethnicity, or past behavior. Listen to God’s Holy Word:

V  “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lu. 19:10).

V  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (Jn. 3:16–17).

V  “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ac. 2:21).

V  “Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Ac. 5:31).

V  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:9–10, 13).

V  “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Ti. 1:15).

V  “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11–12).

V  “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (He. 7:25).

V  “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pe. 3:9).

V  “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Is. 1:18).

V  “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Is. 55:1).^[2]

 Many times, it seems as though Israel has an inside track on salvation. But God makes it clear that His people include all those who follow Him. Israel was to be the means through which the entire world would come to know God. Thus, salvation is for all nations, not just the Israelites. Remember, God’s promises are public, and their fulfillment is sure. So, we never need to doubt Him, nor do we ever have to be uncertain when we believe in the God of truth and righteousness. Jesus, the Messiah, fulfilled Israel’s role and gave all people the opportunity to follow God. Have you placed your faith and trust in the God of the Israelites for your salvation?^[3]

 

---

^[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters 36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[3] Life Application Bible Notes. 2007. Tyndale.