The idols of Babylon cannot do anything
46
📚“Bel bows down, Nebo stoops.
Their idols are loaded
on beasts,
and on cattle;
your carriages are
loaded heavily;
they are a burden
to the weary beast.
46:1 Bel and Nebo were gods of Babylon. “Bel” means “lord”. This god was similar to the god Baal worshiped by the nations around Israel and sometimes by Israel itself.⚜
2 📚They stoop,
they bow down together.
They could not deliver
the burden,
but have gone into captivity
themselves.
46:2 Another way of saying that the Babylonians will go into captivity. Their gods would not be able to save them.⚜
3 📚“Listen 📖 to me,
O house of Jacob,
and all the remnant
of the house of Israel,
who are borne by me
from birth,
who are carried 📖 from the womb:
4 📚Even to your old age,
I am he,
and even to gray hairs
I will carry you.
I have made you,
and I will bear you;
I will carry you,
and will rescue you.
46:4 They should not fear God would forsake them, that He would be as weak and useless as the gods of Babylon.⚜
5 📚To whom will you liken me,
and make me equal,
and compare me,
so that we may be alike?
6 📚They pour gold out of the bag,
and weigh silver in the balance,
and hire a goldsmith;
and he makes it into a god.
They prostrate themselves,
yes, they worship.
7 📚They bear it on the shoulder;
they carry it and set it in its place,
and it stands.
It will not move 📖 from its place;
yes, someone will cry
out to it,
but it cannot answer 📖,
or save 📖 him out of his trouble.
8 📚Remember this,
and show yourselves men.
Recall it to mind again,
O you transgressors 📖.
9 📚Remember the former things 📖,
things of old.
For I am God,
and there is no other 📖.
I am God,
and there is no one like me,
10 📚Declaring the end from
the beginning,
and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done 📖,
saying, My counsel will stand 📖,
and I will do all that
I please,
11 📚Calling a bird of prey
from the east,
the man from a far country
who carries out my purpose.
Yes, I have spoken it;
I will also cause it to happen.
I have purposed it,
I will also do it.
12 📚“Listen to me,
you stubborn in heart,
who are far
from righteousness 📖.
13 📚I am bringing my righteousness
near 📖.
It will not be far away,
and my salvation will not be
delayed.
And I will place salvation
in Zion for Israel my glory 📖.