Isaiah 45:20-21 – Let’s Talk
Again, our context here demands that we look far beyond deliverance from Babylon, to the great deliverance from a far greater Enemy in a more distant time – the deliverance of the nations from idolatry and sin by the Gospel of Christ. These, then, are they whom God invites, or perhaps demands, to come to speak to Him and to hear Him. Note that God does not say to stay away. He goes to them, and He calls them to Himself in their sin, to deliver them from their sin. See how they are characterised – as those who are spiritually blinded, ignorant, and foolish. What could they be thinking, to trust in some wooden thing that hasn’t power even to move itself? Yet, God calls such to come to Him to set forth their case.
God invites, yes, commands, yes, defies the nations to bring forth their case. He knows it cannot stand. Their gods, that cannot stand or move, cannot show that they even know the past or future. They cannot interpret it or bring things to pass. They could not then, cannot now, and never shall be able to. Even should they band together, they are all resting upon nonsense, so all should and shall fall. Their conspiring together will prosper no further than the nations in Psalm 2 coming together against the Mediatorial King.
In the second part of verse 21 it is time for those nations and peoples to listen. Their own time of talking has been a total failure. None of the gods of the nations have been able to declare anything, let alone do anything. They lead only to destruction and death. In contrast Jehovah has created all and sustains all. He is the One Who shows Himself holy. He is the covenant God. He is the One Who, in Christ, is both just and justifier of those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26)!
Questions
- How are the idols described?
- How does God describe Himself?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.