And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you
-Isaiah 46:4
Summary of Isaiah chapter 46:
1. In the first two verses we have a mockery of the pagan gods. These deities are carried around on animals and slaves as part of their normal ritual processions. They could become very heavy. And when the trouble comes, those who carry them will flee, not saving their gods!, Isaiah 46:1-2
2. Here now is the contrast—the LORD does not need to be saved, He saves His people. the deities that those animals bore or carried became a burden to the weary beasts; but the LORD bears up and carries His people. The LORD supports and sustains His people throughout their lives, even to their old age, when they have the hoary head. The contrast is striking—you will grow old, but I AM. And, unlike pagan gods, the LORD is not only capable of movement, He is the prime Mover, the One who delivers,Isaiah 46:3-4
3. The LORD demands to know who is like Him. With whom can anyone compare the LORD? The words form a challenge, but they are also eroteses for the implication is that there is no one comparable. Isaiah picks up the theme again of pagans making gods. carrying them around in processions, and placing them in temples—where they did not move until carried somewhere. Not only are they immobile in their niches, when people cry to them for help, they cannot answer and cannot save anyone from trouble. The point is that if these gods are all that can be stood up to compete against the LORD, there is no competition, Isaiah 46:5-7
4. Now the LORD turns to His people to call for them to act upon the spiritual heritage they have. He is sovereign and powerful, calling things to happen before they do, declaring His will, and fulfilling His plan. The plan here is the restoration of Israel to her land and mission. So this is a call for the people to respond by faith to the Word. After reiterating that He is God and that there is no one else, Isaiah 46:8-11
5. Now the LORD declares His power to save. They are also described as “far from righteousness,” which in this context means that they were not yet delivered from exile But until they responded they would be in spiritual and national difficulty, Isaiah 46:12-13
Verse Isaiah 46:4:
The nurse—even the mother—soon grows tired of carrying the child, and leaves him to shift for himself. But God's tender care for his people lasts from their infancy, through their boyhood and manhood, to their old age. The everlasting arms never weary. God's watchfulness, his providence, his protection, never fail. The maker of a thing has naturally regard to what he has made, loves it, desires its good, seeks to defend and save it.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the day and all it will bring my way.
Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision and protection.
As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child and Your representative to the world around me.
Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. In the name of Jesus, Amen.