Isaiah 46

    I. (1-39) Condemnation
        A. Chapters 1-12—Prophecies against Israel and Judah
        B. Chapters 13-23—Prophecies against the Nations
        C. Chapters 24-27—Prophecies of the Day of the Lord
        D. Chapters 28-35—Prophecies of Judgment and Blessing
        E. Chapters 36-39—Historical accounts
   II. (40-66) Consolation
        A. Chapters 40-48—Israel’s God
            1. \\#40:1-31\\  Be comforted by meeting your God
            2. \\#41:1-29\\ Be Comforted by Meeting Your Protector
            3. \\#42:1-25\\ Be Comforted by Meeting the Servant
            4. \\#43:1-28\\ Be Comforted by Knowing Your God’s Desire
            5. \\#44:1-47:15\\ Be Comforted by Knowing A Real God
                a. \\#44:1-8\\ Future Promise of a great Israel
                b. \\#44:9-20\\ The weakness of false gods
                c. \\#44:21-45:4\\ A challenge to Israel
                d. \\#45:5-19\\ A Conversation with Israel
                e. \\#45:20-25\\ A Conversation with the World
                f. \\#46:1-4\\ A Comparison Between Deities

    I. \\#44:1-45:25\\ Be Comforted by Knowing A Real God
        A. \\#44:1-8\\ Future Promise of a great Israel
        B. \\#44:9-20\\ The weakness of false gods
        C. \\#44:21-45:4\\ A challenge to Israel
        D. \\#45:5-19\\ A Conversation with Israel
        E. \\#45:20-25\\ A Conversation with the World
        F. \\#46:1-13\\ A Comparison—God demonstrates that He is the true God
            by a comparison with the gods of Babylon.
            1. \\#46:1-4\\ The gods of Babylon versus Jehovah
                a. \\#1-2\\ The gods of Babylon
                    (1) \\#1\\ Bel and Nebo are both Babylonian gods.
                    (2) \\#1\\ The image is that Bel and Nebo are stooped over
                         under the burden of trying to deliver Babylon from the
                         Assyrians.  Even though Babylon would eventually rise
                         and conquer the Assyrians, at this time, it was the
                         other way around right now.)
                    (3) \\#1\\ As a result, these heavy gods were loaded onto
                         carts and beasts to be carried away to Nineveh.
                    (4) \\#2\\ These gods could not deliver their people. They
                          are gone into captivity.
                b. \\#3-4\\ The God of Israel
                    (1) \\#3-4\\ Jehovah, on the other hand, bears Israel from
                         the womb to the grave.  This is the kind of cradle to
                         the grave coverage that God’s people can get excited
                         about!
                    (2) \\#4\\ Jehovah promises to continue carrying and
                         delivering them.  (Again, it is too bad they did not
                         turn to Him.  Now this promise becomes one for the
                         future.)
            2. \\#46:4-11\\ "Who do you think is superior?" God asks.
                a. \\#5-7\\To whom will you compare God?  God again compares
                    Himself to the man-made gods Israel worships.
                    (1) \\#6\\ Their gods are man-made.
                    (2) \\#7\\ Their gods cannot move themselves, let alone
                         help those who worship it.
                b. \\#8-9\\ Remember
                    (1) \\#8\\ Remember that these gods are useless.
                    (2) \\#9\\ Remember that Jehovah is unique and alone.
                c. \\#10-11\\ God’s Proofs - God repeats proofs that He has
                    already given.
                    (1) \\#10\\ His prophecies were given of old and they will
                          come to pass.
                    (2) \\#11\\ He will bring a "ravenous bird" from the East.
                         (a) This "bird" is Cyrus, of whom He has spoken
                              several times \\#44:28-45:4, 45:13\\.  Some
                              also believe \\#41:2-7\\ describe this king.
                         (b) It is obvious that God places much emphasis upon
                              this near-at-hand prophecy.
                         (c) God again takes credit for Cyrus’ rise to power.
                         (d) God does connect this \\#Is 41:2-7\\ with this
                              passage by stating Cyrus is from the east.
                    (3) When this comes to pass, it should confirm to Israel
                         that Jehovah is the one true God.
            3. \\#46:12-13\\ Call to Repentance
                a. \\#12\\ And so God closes this section calling the stubborn
                    to repentance.
                b. One day soon, His righteousness will come.
                    (1) God’s righteousness (also translated in some places
                         "justice" since God’s righteousness demands justice)
                         did come.  Since Israel had not repented, it destroyed
                         them.
                    (2) "and my salvation shall not tarry" - God’s offer of
                         forgiveness and exaltation did not wait on Israel.
                    (3) "I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory" -
                         Yet, God is determined to redeem Israel so they will
                         have another opportunity to accept God.
                    (4) They actually will have two.
                         (a) When their Messiah, Jesus, came to the earth.
                         (b) When the anti-Christ comes to the earth during the
                             tribulation.
                    (5) At that last time, they will repent and see the glory
                         that God has promised them.

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