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Chapters 44-48
by Samuel E. Ward
These sections of Isaiah have previously been considered in the study:
I. God's Message to Judah and Jerusalem, Isa 1-12
II. God's Messages to the Foreign Nations, Isa 13-23
III. God's Message to the World, Isa 24-27.
IV. God's Message for Those Under the Threat of Assyria, Isa 28-35
V. A Historical Interlude, Isa 36-39
We are now examining the last section of Isaiah (chapters 40-66) which has as its major emphasis . . .
VI. God's Message Concerning His People's Future, Isa 40-66
A. The Sovereign God, Isa 40-48
1. The Comforting God, Isa 40
2. The Reigning God, Isa 41
3. The Servant God, Isa 42
4. The Gracious God, Isa 43
We concern ourselves next with . . .
5. The Only God, Isa 44
a. He is the only God Who has made Jacob (Israel) His own,
Isa 44:1-2a
1) By His choice
2) By His creation
3) By His formation
Isaiah 44:1-2a (NIV) 1 "But now listen, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. 2aThis is what the LORD says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb.
b. He is the only God Who has promised Israel an enduring blessing, Isa 44:2b-5
1) By promising to help them, Isa 44:2b.
Isaiah 44: 2b (NIV) [This is what the Lord says] . . . who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
2) By promising to refresh and restore them, Isa 44:3
Isaiah 44:3 (NIV) 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
3) By promising His Spirit and blessing to their descendants,
Isa 44:4-5
Isaiah 44:4-5 (NIV) 4They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. 5One will say, 'I belong to the LORD'; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel.
c. He is the only God, Isa 44:6-8
1) The first and the last
2) The only existing God
Isaiah 44:6 (NIV) 6 "This is what the LORD says—Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
a) There are no others who can explain the past and foretell the future, Isa 44:7.
Isaiah 44:7 (NIV) 7Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come—yes, let him foretell what will come.
b) There are no others who can prove their existence and therefore prove they can relied upon, Isa 44:8.
Isaiah 44:8 (NIV) 8Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
3) The idols are worthless, Isa 44:9-20 (44:18-20)
Isaiah 44:18-20 (NIV) 18They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. 19No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, "Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?" 20He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, "Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?"
d. He is the only God Who is worthy of remembering, Isa 44:21-22
1) He alone has made Israel His servant, Isa 44:21.
Isaiah 44:21 (NIV) 21 "Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you.
2) He alone has swept away their offenses and redeemed them,
Isa 44:22.
Isaiah 44:22 (NIV) 22I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."
e. He is the only God who has redeemed them, Isa 44:23-28.
Isaiah 44:23 (NIV) 23Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.
1) He is their Creator Redeemer, Isa 44:24.
Isaiah 44:24 (NIV) 24 "This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
2) He is their Sovereign Redeemer, Isa 44:25.
Isaiah 44:25 (NIV) 25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense.
3) He is their Faithful Redeemer, Isa 44:26.
Isaiah 44:25 (NIV) 25[I am the LORD] who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,
4) He is their Resolute Redeemer, Isa 44:27-28.
Isaiah 44:27-28 (NIV) 27 [I am the LORD] who says to the watery deep, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,' 28who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt," and of the temple, "Let its foundations be laid."'
6.The Delegating God , Isa 45:1-7
a. Cyrus, is designated the custodian of God's plans for Israel,
Isa 45:1-7. (45:5-7)
Isaiah 45:5-7 (NIV) 5I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.
b. The heavens can rejoice in God's plan for coming righteousness and salvation, Isa 45:8.
Isaiah 45:8 (NIV) 8 "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.
c. Those who question God's methods should remember their place, Isa 45:9-12, (Isa 45:11-12).
Isaiah 45:11-12 (NIV) 11 "This is what the LORD says—the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands? 12It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.
d. Cyrus is the instrument by which God proves His power and love toward Israel, Isa 45:13.
Isaiah 45:13 (NIV) 13I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty."
7. The Only Saving God, Isa 45:14-25
a. Of Israel, Isa 45:14-19, (45:16-17)
Isaiah 45:16-17 (NIV) 16All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced; they will go off into disgrace together. 17But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.
b. Of the nations, Isa 45:30-25, (45:22-23)
Isaiah 45:22-23 (NIV) 22 "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
8. The Superior God, Isa 46:1-13
a. Consider the false gods, Bel and Nebo.
1) They need to be carried by their worshipers, Isa 46:1-2.
Isaiah 46:1-2 (NIV) 1Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. 2They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity.
2) They do not answer or save their worshipers from trouble,
Isa 46:5-7. (46:7)
Isaiah 46:7 (NIV) 7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles.
b. Consider the God of Israel.
1) He carries, sustains, and rescues His people, Isa 46:3-4.
Isaiah 46:3-4 (NIV) 3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. 4Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
2) He plans and carries out His purposes, Isa 46:8-13 (46:10-13).
Isaiah 46:10-13 (NIV) 10I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. 11From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. 12Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness. 13I 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.
9. The Avenging God, Isa 47
These words are spoken to Babylon for the mistreatment of God's people while they were in captivity.
a. Prepare to be judged, Isa 47:1-3.
Isaiah 47:1-3 (NIV) 1 "Go down, sit in the dust, Virgin Daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, Daughter of the Babylonians. No more will you be called tender or delicate. 2Take millstones and grind flour; take off your veil. Lift up your skirts, bare your legs, and wade through the streams. 3Your nakedness will be exposed and your shame uncovered. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one."
b. Prepare to meet the Redeemer and God of Israel, Isa 47:4.
Isaiah 47:4 (NIV) 4Our Redeemer—the LORD Almighty is his name—is the Holy One of Israel.
c. Prepare to receive no mercy because you have shown no mercy to God's people, Isa 47:5-7 (Isa 47:6).
Isaiah 47:6 (NIV) 6I was angry with my people and desecrated my inheritance; I gave them into your hand, and you showed them no mercy. Even on the aged you laid a very heavy yoke.
d. Prepare to be judged for your arrogance before God, Isa 47:8-11
(47:10).
Isaiah 47:10 (NIV) 10You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.'
e. Prepare to witness the impotence of your sorcerers and astrologers, Isa 47:12-15 (47:13-14).
Isaiah 47:13-14 (NIV) 13 All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. 14Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.
10. The Prophetic God, Isa 48
a. God uses future prophetic proclamations
1) To insure against ascribing God's acts to false gods, Isa 48:1-5, (48:5)
Isaiah 48:5 (NIV) 5Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, 'My idols did them; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.'
2) To prepare people for coming acts of deliverance or judgment, Isa 48:6-8, (48:7)
Isaiah 48:7 (NIV) 7They [new things] are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, 'Yes, I knew of them.'
b. God times His wrath and restorations to maximize the outcomes for His people and to bring glory to Himself, Isa 48:9-11, (48:11).
Isaiah 48:11 (NIV) 11For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
c. God calls Israel to listen on the basis of Who He is, Isa 48:12-13.
Isaiah 48:12-13 (NIV) 12 "Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. 13My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.
d. God calls Israel to listen to His prediction of deliverance by Cyrus' hand, Isa 48:14-15.
Isaiah 48:14-15 (NIV) 14 "Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of _the idols_ has foretold these things? The LORD's chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians. 15I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.
e. God calls Israel to listen to His teaching about "what might have been." Isa 48:16-19, (48:17-18).
Isaiah 48:17-18 (NIV) 17This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 18If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
f. God calls Israel to rejoice over the coming deliverance from her captors, Isa 48:20-21.
Isaiah 48:20-21 (NIV) 20Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, "The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob." 21They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out.
g. God states an ominous universal principle, Isa 48:22.
Isaiah 48:22 (NIV) 22 "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
This is true whether for Israel or Babylon.
Relevance
1. Even today there are many different claims by various religions about which one possesses the truth. The truth is, only one, has shown its ability to verify its claims. History bears testimony to the truth of Scripture as well as prophecy. Also the eye-witness testimony of the empty tomb of Christ and His post-resurrection appearances are as defendable and verifiable as any other historical fact of the period .
The gods of all others are "silent"—no history to back them up, no prophecy, no verification.
Acts 10:39-43 (NIV) 39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
See also Acts 2:31-32; 3:15; 5:30-32; 13:29-35.
2. There are actually very few religions that speak of the need for salvation. In Hinduism, for example, you hope that your next incarnation will be better than your present. The very best you can hope to achieve is non-existence as a person when you die. There is no recognition of sin as such, only the accumulation of good or bad karma that affects your next life on this earth. The God of the Bible offers a means of forgiveness through Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life with Him, as your redeemed self, when you die.
Acts 4:12 (NIV) 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
3. There is a coming day of judgment of the nations in regard to the treatment of God's people whether Jew or Christian. Those who have opposed God will one day bow before Him.
Matthew 25:32-34, 40 (NIV) 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. . . 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
