Catholic Commentary on Isaiah 46

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

The Gods of Babylon Fall; the LORD Carries His People

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.

The Catechism draws from the contrast between gods who must be carried and the God who carries his people the fundamental distinction between idols and the living God: idols are burdens; the LORD is the carrier (CCC 2112).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, even to your old age and gray hairs I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. The gods of Babylon are carried by beasts. The LORD of Israel carries his people. Are you carrying your god, or is your God carrying you? The one you are carrying is the idol. The one carrying you is the LORD.

Prayer

Lord God, even to our old age and gray hairs, carry us. You have made us and you will sustain us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

46
Babylon’s Idols
1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers.
Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle.
The images you carry are burdensome,
a load to the weary animal.
2 The gods cower; they crouch together,
unable to relieve the burden;
but they themselves go into captivity.
 
3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been sustained from the womb,
carried along since birth.
4 Even to your old age, I will be the same,
and I will bear you up when you turn gray.
I have made you, and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and deliver you.
 
5 To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal?
To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?
6 They pour out their bags of gold
and weigh out silver on scales;
they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god,
so they can bow down and worship.
7 They lift it to their shoulder
and carry it along;
they set it in its place, and there it stands,
not budging from that spot.
They cry out to it, but it does not answer;
it saves no one from his troubles.
 
8 Remember this and be brave;
take it to heart, you transgressors!
9 Remember what happened long ago,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me.
10 I declare the end from the beginning,
and ancient times from what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
11 I summon a bird of prey from the east,
a man for My purpose from a far-off land.
Truly I have spoken,
and truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it,
and I will surely do it.
 
12 Listen to Me, you stubborn people,
far removed from righteousness:
13 I am bringing My righteousness near;
it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion
and adorn Israel with My splendor.

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