Read & explore together
Babylon’s Idols
Isaiah 46:1–13 contrasts Babylon’s idols with God. This passage is prophecy and teaching, not a story. Idols must be carried by people and animals, but God says he carries his people and does what he has spoken.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, God speaks to the house of Jacob and the remnant of Israel. The teaching begins with Bel and Nebo bowing down, then turns to God’s care from the womb to old age, his uniqueness, his purpose that stands, and his promise of righteousness and salvation for Zion and Israel.
Isaiah 46:1–13Main takeaway
God alone is God, there is no other, and he will do what he has spoken.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Burdens that cannot rescueThe passage opens with Bel and Nebo stooping and bowing. Their idols are loaded onto animals and become a burden for the weary.
Explanation
The passage opens with Bel and Nebo stooping and bowing. Their idols are loaded onto animals and become a burden for the weary. Far from saving others, they cannot even deliver the burden connected with themselves, and they go into captivity. The point is clear: these idols are helpless.
02The God who carries his peopleGod calls the house of Jacob and the remnant of Israel to listen. Unlike idols that must be carried, God says his people have been carried from birth and from the womb.
Explanation
God calls the house of Jacob and the remnant of Israel to listen. Unlike idols that must be carried, God says his people have been carried from birth and from the womb. He promises that even to old age and grey hairs, he will carry, bear, and deliver the people he has made.
03Made gods that cannot answerGod asks who could be compared with him. People may pour out gold, weigh silver, hire a goldsmith, and worship what is made.
Explanation
God asks who could be compared with him. People may pour out gold, weigh silver, hire a goldsmith, and worship what is made. Yet the idol must be lifted onto a shoulder and set in place. It cannot move, answer when someone cries, or save anyone from trouble.
04Remember the one who speaks and actsThe transgressors are told to remember the former things of old. God says, “I am God, and there is no other.”
Explanation
The transgressors are told to remember the former things of old. God says, “I am God, and there is no other.” He declares the end from the beginning, and his counsel will stand. What he has spoken and planned, he will do. So even the stubborn-hearted are told to listen as he brings near righteousness and salvation for Zion.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the passage contrast idols with God using the idea of carrying?
Compare the idols that are carried by animals and people with God’s words that he carries his people from the womb to old age.
02What details show that idols are made things rather than gods who act?
Notice the gold, silver, goldsmith, shoulders, fixed place, and the fact that the idol cannot answer or save.
03What reasons does God give for saying, ‘there is no other’?
Look at his claim to declare the end from the beginning and his promise to bring to pass what he has spoken and planned.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 46:1–13
1Bel bows down. Nebo stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around are heavy loads, a burden for the weary.
2They stoop and they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but they have gone into captivity.
3“Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been carried from their birth, that have been carried from the womb.
4Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
5“To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same?
6Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down— yes, they worship.
7They bear it on their shoulder. They carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there. It cannot move from its place. Yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer. It cannot save him out of his trouble.
8“Remember this, and show yourselves men. Bring it to mind again, you transgressors.
9Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me.
10I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.
11I call a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. Yes, I have spoken. I will also bring it to pass. I have planned. I will also do it.
12Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness!
13I bring my righteousness near. It is not far off, and my salvation will not wait. I will grant salvation to Zion, my glory to Israel.