Vineyard Church North Phoenix | July 30, 2008

Isaiah 45

Chapter 45 continues echoing God’s promises and defining things Cyrus will do for the Jews (45:1-7). Lest some object to God’s use of a pagan ruler, the Lord reminds the listener of His rights as the Father (in the sense of originator or Creator) of Israel and as the potter whose skill shaped earth’s clay (vv. 8-14). Following a brief outburst of praise (vv. 15-17), God reminds the listener that He who created the earth formed it to be inhabited. He has revealed Himself, despite man’s reliance on dumb idols (vv. 18-21). He cries out, “turn to Me and be saved.” His Word will have its impact to the ends of the earth. It will bring shame to those who rage against God, glory to those who believe (vv. 22-25).

“A righteous God and a Saviour” (45:21). God’s “commitment to do right” is revealed in salvation of sinners as well as in His judgment of sin. God has chosen and loved His people. He will be true to His love for us, despite our failures. Here, salvation moves beyond deliverance from present danger to hint of the resurrection at history’s end.

Isaiah 46

The reference to Cyrus and his victories over Babylon now brings to mind the futile gods of that great civilization, Bel (also called Marduk) and Nebo. Babylon’s defeat proves God’s superiority (46:1-2). And what a different relationship He has with His people. Pagans carry their gods. The Lord carries His people (vv. 3-4). Israel’s incomparable God alone shapes and reveals the future, a future that holds salvation for her (vv. 5-13).

Predictive prophecy. The future is a mystery to man. We can make educated guesses on what the next few years hold, but to accurately predict events that lie 20, 100, or even 1,000 years in the future is beyond our ability. Thus, the stunning accuracy with which God’s prophets predicted the future is one of the most convincing evidences of the supernatural origin of God’s Word. Omniscience, omnipotence (46:10). Isaiah explains God’s ability to predict the future. God is God, He is able to “make known the end from the beginning” and “from ancient times” to predict “what is still to come.” He established purposes for the universe He created and is powerful enough to guarantee that His purposes will stand.

Theologians describe these attributes of God as omniscience and omnipotence. These Lat. terms affirm that God knows all and that He is all powerful. We shouldn’t be surprised that the Bible contains accurate predictions of future events. God, who knows all and controls all, is the source of what truly is the Word of God.

Isaiah 47

Isaiah now leaps forward to describe the fall of Babylon (47:1-4). God permitted Babylon to triumph over His people to discipline them. But Babylon went too far in its inhuman treatment of the captives (vv. 5-7). Babylon’s overweening pride and wickedness calls for judgment (vv. 8-11). Disaster will come, and no experimenting with magic spells, no frantic suggestions of stargazers, can save Babylon from the devastation God has ordained (vv. 12-15).

Babylon’s judgment (47:1-8). Two factors that fix Babylon’s fate are defined by Isaiah. One is the arrogant pride described in vv. 7-8. The other is Babylon’s treatment of God’s people. In showing the Jews “no mercy” the Babylonians unwittingly placed themselves under God’s ban. One of God’s commitments to Abraham was, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3). In harming God’s chosen people the Babylonians determined their own destiny. We need look no further back in history than to Hitler’s Germany to see this principle still in operation.

Astrology (47:13). The New World Dictionary defines astrology as “a pseudo-science claiming to foretell the future by studying the supposed influence of the relative positions of the moon, sun, and stars on human affairs.’’ Astrology is not new. It was practiced, along with magic and sorcery, in ancient Babylon and in even older cultures. The Heb. phrase translated “astrologers” in the NIV and NASB means “diviners of the heaven.” The NIV also trans. `assap as astrologer, while other versions render it “conjurer.” Our Isa. passage shows how closely astrology was linked with magic—a practice strongly condemned in the Bible.

Reflection

What affect would it have on our faith if we believed with everything we have that God loves us, God knows all, and God is all powerful? Would spending some time thinking on these things help you deal with the problems your having?