ATE047 08112024 “Only For His Glory - Here, I AM, Send Me! - Isaiah Chapter 46

Subtitle #1:  Until We Are Old and Gray, Remember!

Subtitle #2 Naming the Names or Know Your Enemy

What is good about getting old? Those folks over 50 may have a very long list. Those over 60 may have an even longer one, but over 70 and 80 we get an extreme view of the negatives of old age. Mind you the world had many views of age snd in some cultural circles age is blessing, while in others it is curse. Today we take on this topic head on. Key is; Remember. That is if you can, hahaha! oh and remember our worst enemy is our self so know your enemy. It may be some false god of idol or it maybe be who you see in the mirror…

Let us read, You got your reading glasses? Just kidding…

Isaiah‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭13‬ ‭WEBUS‬‬

“Bel 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. They stoop and they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but they have gone into captivity. “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. Even 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. “To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same? Some 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. They 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. “Remember this, and show yourselves men. Bring it to mind again, you transgressors. Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me. I 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. I 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. Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness! I 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.”

ISAIAH 46 – DEAD IDOLS AND THE LIVING GOD

A. The idols of the nations are carried into captivity.

1. (1-2) The false gods are carried away on carriages.

a. Bel bows down, Nebo stoops: Bel and Nebo were names of two false gods the idol-worshipping nations served. It is as if now God gets personal, “naming names” when it comes to idols; and now these false gods are brought low.

i. The names of the pagan gods Bel and Nebo are familiar to us in the names Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar.

ii. “In Isaiah 45, Isaiah declared that every knee will bow to the Lord, and here he pictures the gods of the great Babylon stooping low in humiliation.” (Grogan)

b. Their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages were heavily loaded: Isaiah pictures God’s people going into captivity, in a forced relocation. Loaded on to their beasts and carriages are their idols – even their idols are carried away into captivity, and loaded on the moving trucks! The bottom line is they could not deliver the burden, but have themselves gone into captivity.

2. (3-4) The LORD, the true God, will carry His people.

a. Who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: The false gods represented by silent and dead idols must be carried; but God carries His people. He carried them from before their birth, and He promises to continue to carry them (even to gray hairs I will carry you!).

b. I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry: This is the same Fatherly care Jesus spoke of in Luke 12:6-7: Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. When we understand that God has made us, and we are valuable to Him, then we can trust Him to carry us.

i. It’s a worthy question: do you have to carry your gods, or does your God carry you? by Bam, that gas to hurt…

3. (5-7) The LORD can save His people when the idols are helpless.

a. They lavish gold out of the bag: Much money and attention are given to the production and care of our idols. Yet, though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer nor save him out of his trouble. Isaiah again exposes the ironic folly of idolatry.

B.   Remember!

1. (8-10) Remember that the LORD knows the beginning and the end.

a. Remember this, and show yourselves men: We can gain the courage of men when we remember the things God tells us to remember. How much defeat we suffer in the Christian life through simply forgetting.

b. Remember the former things of old…there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning: God knows the end of every matter, of every course of circumstances, just as clearly as anyone else can see the beginning of it.

c. Saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure”: God knows the end from the beginning because He is much more than a passive observer of events. His counsel shall stand. His works and plans never fail, because He will do all His pleasure. God isn’t just watching the entire parade of history, He is directing the parade.

i. The essential point is that God’s people must remember this about the LORD – that He knows the end from the beginning and is in control over all things. When we remember this, we will show yourselves men. We can have tremendous courage in our God when we understand and remember who He is and what He does.

2. (11-13) Remember that the LORD will bring a deliverer to Zion.

a. Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel: This is another reference to Cyrus. God’s people need to remember that God always has a deliverer for His people, even if He has to find one among pagan kings.

b. My salvation shall not linger: God’s people need to remember that God’s timing is always precise and wise. When we are stubborn-hearted we need to listen to the LORD and remember He never delays and is never late. God always has His deliverer, and always knows exactly when to bring His deliverance.

Lastly, this final word. We are not just a group of people who are saved and go to a Church building. We are an army of warrior sins, each with their mission. We are Kingdom ambassadors who are ONE. One faith in Christ, yet unique in personality, character and gifting.

Apostle Eddie Maestas

Quote

“The difference between a kingdom age and church age. Church age is about building my ministry or my church. The kingdom age is about building the body of Christ as many members and gifts but one body.

How can we move forward in kingdom if we can't let go of our church traditions and systems. Pioneering a kingdom age will receive persecution just like Paul received persecution for bringing grace to the gentiles. Most persecution comes by the church that's mixed with old religion and past moves of God. We have man's systems and philosophies mixed with scripture and true doctrines. We have past church successes and experiences that won't let many move forward to a kingdom age advancement.”

End quote

And now we sing that old glorious hymn, “Just as I Am”

Author: Charlotte Elliott (1836)

Tune: WOODWORTH

Representative Text

1 Just as I am, without one plea,

but that thy blood was shed for me,

and that thou bidd'st me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2 Just as I am, and waiting not

to rid my soul of one dark blot,

to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3 Just as I am, though tossed about

with many a conflict, many a doubt,

fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4 Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

because thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Psalter Hymnal, (Gray)