 Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. 2 They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity. 3 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; 4 even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
5 “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? 6 Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! 7 They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. 8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ 11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. 12 “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.” Meditation During seasons of exile and crisis we are acutely aware of the burdens we bear. The promises of our covenant God resurrect hope for those buried by their burdens. Realize the intimate care of the Lord- He is carrying you. Today’s chapter continues the theme of addressing idolatry in exile- Will God’s people continue to turn to created idols? Or will we return to the God who created us? Our return to Him is realizing His intimate care seen in His carrying us. Idols of the world are burdens to carry (1-2) but God has carried His people from their birth (Exodus 19:4). God carried His people from the womb (3), He is carrying them in exile (4), and He will carry His people into the future (4)! The burdens of idolatry cannot be carried (7) so wisdom compels us to rest in the covenant love of our Lord through remembering His faithfulness (8) and realizing there is no god like our God (9-11). Are you listening to this truth (12)? The Lord is carrying you. Drop your burdens and the idols you look to for relief.. God is carrying you through your crisis and pain. How can a holy God carry an unholy people? His love for you was demonstrated in sending Jesus to carry your sin into exile, not to condemn you but to save you (John 3:17). God carries His people close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11), as a Father carries his son (Deuteronomy 1:31). Will you trust His love? Richly Dwelling -What idols of your heart are you carrying, looking to created things for hope? -How does the truth that God is carrying you through His covenant love encourage and empower you? -Rest in the covenant carrying of our Savior King. Open your hands to symbolically represent your open heart. Ask God to open your eyes to His covenant carrying you close to His heart, as a Father carries his child. Key Verse 4 even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Comments are closed.
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