Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 46

This taunt was against the self-contradiction of Babylonian religion.

A taunt is a mocking song or speech. In this passage, the prophet makes fun of Babylon’s beliefs. The message shows that their religion does not make sense.

• Marduk-bel was the most important god in the Babylonian group of gods. Bel, similar to Baal, meant lordship.

• Nebo (Nabu, Nebu), the patron god of Babylonian scribes, was believed to be the son of Marduk-bel.

• Instead of being celebrated at a Babylonian festival, people would transport these gods on ox carts and discard them, as the Babylonian people rejected them.

• the remnant of the house of Israel: This refers to the survivors after Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC.

• The Lord, the Creator of humanity, cares for and carries his people, unlike the Babylonian idols that need carrying.

• sustained from the womb, carried along since birth: The Lord chose Israel even before it became a nation (see also Isaiah 49:5).

Many exiles felt hopeless and doubted God's promise to rescue them. God addressed this doubt.

God knows the future before it happens; he controls all events, and his actions match his words (Isaiah 41:4, 26). He is the first and the last (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12).

The swift bird of prey from the east refers to Cyrus, the Persian king (see study note on Isaiah 41:2).

Formerly, Israel cared little for doing right (literally righteousness; see also Isaiah 58:2; 59:9).

• The good news for Israel was that God was coming to make things right (literally I will bring my righteousness near; see Isaiah 40:9; 51:5).

• adorn Israel with My splendor: Unlike a craftsman who gives material splendor to an idol (Isaiah 44:13), the Lord gives true dignity to his people.