Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 46
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 46
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 46
"Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth; their idols are upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: the things that ye carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary [beast]. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne [by me] from their birth, that have been carried from the womb; and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry [you]; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver." — Isaiah 46:1-4 (ASV)
The pagans insulted the Jews, as if their idols Bel and Nebo were too strong for Jehovah. But their worshippers cannot help them; both the idols and the idolaters have gone into captivity. God's people should not 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 summary 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, through decline, 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 surrounded by infirmities, and perhaps those around begin to grow weary of you, yet I am He who I have promised to be, He whom you would have me 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.
"To whom will ye like me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? Such as lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; they fall down, yea, they worship. They bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it standeth, from its place shall it not remove: yea, one may cry unto it, yet can it not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; [I am] God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory." — Isaiah 46:5-13 (ASV)
Here the folly of those who made idols, and then prayed to them, is exposed. How does the lavishness of idolaters shame the stinginess of many who call themselves God's servants, but prefer a religion that costs them nothing! The service of sin always costs a great deal. God shows them what senseless, helpless things idols are.
Let the Jews, then, prove themselves strong by avoiding such abominations. Many Scripture prophecies, delivered long ago, are not yet fulfilled; however, the fulfillment of some is a pledge that the rest will also come to pass. Nothing can help more to reassure us than to be certain that God will accomplish all His will. Even those who do not know and do not heed God's revealed will are called and used to fulfill the purposes of His hidden will.
Heaven and earth will pass away sooner than one tittle of the word of God. Obstinate sinners are addressed. Such individuals were far from acceptance, but they were summoned to listen 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 producing true repentance, and faith in His mercy, through the obedience unto death of our Divine Surety.
Christ, as the divine righteousness and salvation for His people, would come at the appointed time. His salvation remains in His church for all believers.
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