46:1 Bel kneels down, Nebo bends low. Their images weigh down animals and beasts. Your heavy images are burdensome to tired animals.
Bel was the chief god of Babylon. His name is found in the first part of Beelzebub—which is one of Satan’s names. He later became Jupiter of the Romans.
Nebo was his son, meaning “speaker or prophet.” Nebo later became Mercury of the Romans. When Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra, the people thought Barnabas was Bel (or Jupiter) and Paul was Nebo (or Mercury), because Paul did all of the talking. Behind these idols was satanic worship. The Word of God repeatedly warns that the believer’s battle is spiritual warfare.
The Babylonian craftsman created large idols of these two gods. They were so heavy, that beasts of burden had to carry them around. The animals grew so tired, that they could not even bear the weights of these heavy man-made idols. These Babylonian idols were nothing but heavy burdens which had to be carried around.
46:2 Together they bend low and kneel down; they are unable to rescue the images; they themselves head off into captivity.
The heavy statues of Bel and Nebo could not even rescue themselves from capture. These Babylonian idols would later be taken into captivity by the Medes and Persians.
46:3 “Listen to me, O family of Jacob, all you who are left from the family of Israel, you who have been carried from birth, you who have been supported from the time you left the womb.
The Babylonian gods were nothing but heavy cargo which had to be carried. On the other hand Jehovah is the one true God who actually carries. Jehovah is the one true God who carries Israel. Ever since the Egyptian Exodus, Jehovah had been carrying Israel around like a little baby in His arms.
46:4 Even when you are old, I will take care of you, even when you have gray hair, I will carry you. I made you and I will support you; I will carry you and rescue you.
Even as Israel grows old, Jehovah will still carry Israel. Jehovah will continually rescue Israel from her enemies.
46:5 To whom can you compare and liken me? Tell me whom you think I resemble, so we can be compared!
Jehovah is so loving and powerful, that He cannot be compared to anyone.
46:6 Those who empty out gold from a purse and weigh out silver on the scale hire a metalsmith, who makes it into a god. They then bow down and worship it.
Many people purchase idols with their own gold, but these golden idols cannot compare to Jehovah.
46:7 They put it on their shoulder and carry it; they put it in its place and it just stands there; it does not move from its place. Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply; it does not deliver him from his distress.
Jehovah carries Israel, but Babylon carried heavy idols which could do nothing but increase their burden. Jehovah moves through history, but idols just stand in one place and do nothing. Jehovah answers prayers, but idols have no ears to hear or mouth to answer. Jehovah delivers Israel from calamities, but idols were useless during a catastrophe.
46:8 Remember this, so you can be brave! Think about it, you rebels!
The rebels were the people of Babylon. They were to remember that Jehovah is the one true God.
46:9 Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me,
Jehovah is not a lifeless and stationary idol who cannot hear or speak. He has personally delivered Israel many times in the past through observable and recorded miracles.
46:10 who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire,’
Jehovah proves that He is the one true God by announcing and fulfilling prophecies.
46:11 who summons an eagle from the east, from a distant land, one who carries out my plan. Yes, I have decreed, yes, I will bring it to pass; I have formulated a plan, yes, I will carry it out.
Jehovah would bring His eagle from the east (Cyrus the Great of Persia) to defeat Babylon.
46:12 Listen to me, you stubborn people, you who distance yourself from doing what is right.
The stubborn people were the Babylonians. They violated the Abrahamic Covenant by enslaving Israel.
46:13 I am bringing my deliverance near, it is not far away; I am bringing my salvation near, it does not wait. I will save Zion; I will adorn Israel with my splendor.”
Cyrus would free the Jews from the Babylonians. He would allow the Jews to rebuild their city and their temple. The Shechinah Glory would return to Israel during the days of the Roman Empire, but in the body of the Messiah. Peter, James, and John would see a glimpses of the Shechinah Glory at the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ.