The Book Of Isaiah. Day 205, God's Purpose Will Stand

In our last study session we found the Lord comparing idols to heavy burdens. They had to be moved about by human hands or by pack animals or by cart. The idols were unable to do anything for themselves or for those who carried them; they might as well have been carrying a sack of coal on their back or a wooden chest filled with rocks.

As we complete Chapter 46 we find the Lord stating again that He is the only God. He is the only one who can tell what happened in ages past and He is the only one who can tell what will happen in the future. The idols and the mediums and the fortune tellers of the pagans cannot do that.

"Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come." (Isaiah 46:8-10a) None of His prophecies or promises will fail. They are certain to take place exactly the way the Lord said they would at the right time.

The word "rebels" is translated as "transgressors" in some Bibles. Idolatry is transgressing the Lord's commandments. Rebellion is disrespecting and rejecting God. If they would think logically, the fact that everything the Lord predicts comes to pass ought to make them stop and think. It ought to make them wonder why their own gods can't do this and it ought to make them conclude that He is the only god.

The Lord will carry out everything He said He would because His plans are perfect. It is His will to orchestrate events on earth in particular ways in order to achieve His purpose. "I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" (Isaiah 46:10b)

"From the east I will summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill My purpose." (Isaiah 46:11a) This is another reference in the book of Isaiah to Cyrus the Great, who will set the captive people of Judah free from Babylon. In Isaiah's day the people of Judah were still living in their own country and Babylon was subject to Assyria, who had conquered it. In the moment when the Lord spoke this prophecy, I am sure many scoffed at the idea. After all, they had not been conquered by anyone and Babylon at that time didn't appear capable of throwing off the rule of Assyria. But this will happen exactly as the Lord said, for Babylon with overthrow Assyrian domination and will conquer many areas itself---including Judah---and the people will be taken captive. Later, when the Medo-Persian Empire rises to power, it will conquer Babylon and Cyrus will tell the people they can go home and rebuild.

"Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from My righteousness. I am bringing My righteousness near, it is not far away; and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, My splendor to Israel." (Isaiah 46:12-13) To man's way of thinking, the return to the land is still far off; they haven't even left the land yet. But the way God reckons time is different. He is eternal and 200 years seem like a blink of an eye: "it is not far away". I believe what He is saying in this passage is that these things will take place in the perfect era of history in His perfect timing. They will happen how and when He wants them to happen. Sometimes we may not know why a particular thing happens during a particular season of our life but what we can be certain of is that the Lord timed it perfectly for whatever He wants to accomplish for us.