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Bible Chapter Summary

Isaiah 46 Summary

Fall of Babylon's Gods

The chapter opens with Bel bowing down and Nebo stooping as their idols, which were burdens on beasts and cattle, cannot deliver the burden and themselves go into captivity. The Lord calls the house of Jacob to hear Him, reminding them He bore them from the belly and will carry them even to old age. God challenges who can compare to Him and mocks those who lavish gold to hire a goldsmith to make an idol they must carry upon their shoulders. God declares that He is God alone, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things not yet done. The Lord calls a ravenous bird from the east, the man to execute His counsel from a far country, and promises His righteousness shall not be far off and His salvation shall not tarry.

Key themes

Babylon's defeatGod carries His peopleIdols cannot saveGod declares the futureSalvation promised

Key verses

Isaiah 46:1-2

Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

Isaiah 46:3-4

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 46:9-11

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Isaiah 46:12-13

Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

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