Behold the Only God There Is - Isaiah 45:25 - 47:15

I want to begin today by reading only one verse from Isaiah, the last verse of chapter 45, verse 25.  Turn there with me please.  This will not be the only passage from Isaiah that we read today, but I want to camp out here for a few minutes and consider what the Lord is saying here about the future of the people of Israel.

[25] In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.” (Isaiah 45:25 ESV)

I realize it is neither right nor safe to build any kind of theological argument on the basis of a single verse taken out of context.  But I am not doing that today.  I am quoting one verse in the context of everything we have studied since January in the book of Isaiah.  For 9 months we have read of God’s promises to His people Israel, and His repeated reminders of His faithfulness to them in the past as being the grounds upon which they can trust Him for the future.  One of the things that is common knowledge among the people of Judah is that God chose them as a nation to be His own people. 

Secondly, He made numerous promises to them, the most precious being that He would be their Redeemer.  Not only has He already been their Redeemer from their enemies, He has also promised to be their Redeemer from the condemnation of their sin.  

So when we read this one verse, it is understood to be in the context of God’s redemption of His people Israel.  All of them.  “In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.” 

That one verse reminds us of numerous passages in the New Testament.  The words “justified” and “glory” remind me of this passage:

[28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.   (Romans 8:28-30 ESV)

From an Old Testament perspective, the people whom God called were the Jews.  God called Abraham and created the nation of Israel from him and his offspring, according to God’s own purpose.  They were called collectively for the accomplishment of God’s purposes, the primary purpose being the bringing of the Messiah into the world.

The primary purpose of God’s sending the Messiah into the world was to conform all the redeemed into the image and likeness of Christ.  All the redeemed of God are predestined, called, justified in Christ, and glorified to be like Christ.  In fact, “In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”  

It also reminds me of a second passage in Romans.  Look at chapter 11, verse 26.

[25] Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. [26] And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,       

“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;

[27] “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

[28] As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. [29] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.   (Romans 11:25-29 ESV)

All Israel will be saved.  Why?  Because the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.  God cannot change His mind regarding His promises or His purposes regarding Israel.  God has called a people and sanctified them unto Himself.  He has promised them a Deliverer who will banish ungodliness and take away their sins.  He has made them the beneficiaries of the work of their Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.  And God is causing all things to work toward that end: the justification and the glorification of all His people, all the Redeemed, all of Israel, the Israel of God.

Peter said it this way:

[3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  (2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV)

God made to Israel precious and very great promises such as deliverance from sin and ungodliness.  Redemption from the condemnation that comes upon the guilty.  Eternal life to all who believe.  He promised Israel they would live forever.  So the question is, who is Israel?  Does this mean that all Jews go to Heaven?  Obviously, (or at least it should be obvious) that is not true.  This points us to another passage in the New Testament found in Galatians:

[25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.   (Galatians 3:25-29 ESV)

Those who inherit the promises God made to Abraham are those whose faith is in Christ regardless of whether they are Jewish or not, slave or free, male or female.  Those who trust in the promised Holy One of Israel are also the recipients of God’s promises to Israel.  These are the true spiritual offspring of Abraham, these are the chosen of God, these are those whom God has determined to conform to the image of Christ from before the foundation of the world.  In this way, all Israel will be saved.  Or in other words, "In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.” 

Now compare this with the last verse of Isaiah, chapter 47.  There God is speaking to the people of Babylon and the chapter concludes on this chilling note:

[15] Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have done business with you from your youth; they wander about, each in his own direction; there is no one to save you.  (Isaiah 47:15 ESV)

Let’s back up and read chapter 46, beginning in verse 1.

[46:1] 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.”  (Isaiah 46 ESV)

Is 46:1 - Bel (or Baal, from which we get the name Belteshazzar which Nebuchadnezzar gave to Daniel which means “Beltis protect the king!”) and Nebo (from which we get the name Nebuchadnezzar which means "Nebo, protect the crown!") 

Baal was the longstanding lord and god of the Philistines, the Canaanites, and the Babylonians.  He was associated with Marduk and Molech and was worshipped by the ten tribes of Israel during the reign of Ahaz and Jezebel, and also by the people of Judah for a time.  

When Isaiah addresses Bel and Nebo, he is specifically addressing the two prominent gods of Babylon.  Bel is the patron god of Babylon; Nebo, Bel’s son, was the patron god of nearby Borsippa.  He was the god of wisdom, and was carried annually to Babylon to accompany his father in the New Year processions and to write on ‘tables of destiny’ what the coming year held for Babylon. 

Bel and Nebo are burdensome to the Babylonians in more ways than one.  They had to be carried from place to place by animals: these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts.  Not only that, but when the day of Cyrus’ invasion comes, Bel and Nebo won’t be able to save themselves.  Not only do they not save the Babylonians, but they themselves are taken captive because the weary beasts that carry them cannot escape with them.

Now we contrast the burdensome idols of Bel and Nebo which have to be carried by animals, to Jehovah the God of Israel in verses 3 & 4.  Notice that God does not need to be carried.  Rather, He says to Israel, “I have carried you, even from the womb until this day, and I will continue to carry you.”  I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

But what does He say to Babylon in 47:15 - There is no one to save you.  And why is this so?  Because of the worthlessness of their gods!  They hire goldsmiths to manufacture gods for them to carry around on their shoulders. And If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble.

But Jehovah is the Maker of His people, carries His people and promises to save His people from their enemies.  

In Babylon, it is completely the opposite.  The people make their gods, carry their gods, and their gods don’t save them.  Why?  Because their gods are not gods at all.  There is no comparison between Jehovah, and Bel and his son Nebo.  For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. (v9).

God says that a lot in Isaiah.  Back up to chapter 44 for a moment.

44:6  Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:

“I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 

44:8b  “Is there a God besides me?  There is no Rock; I know not any.”

45:5-6  I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. 

45:14  Thus says the Lord: “The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you.  They will plead with you, saying: ‘Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.’”

45:18c  “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” 

45:21c  And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.

45:22  “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other.

46:9  I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

However, even though God is God and there is no other, there was one who refuted all of this.  There was one who thought she was god.  If there is one thing humans possess in infinite measure, it is pride.  Look with me at chapter 47 beginning in verse 1.

[47:1] Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon;

sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans!

For you shall no more be called tender and delicate.

[2] Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil,

strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers.

[3] Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen.

I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one.

[4] Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts is his name—is the Holy One of Israel.

 

[5] Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans;

for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms.

[6] I was angry with my people; I profaned my heritage;

I gave them into your hand; you showed them no mercy;

on the aged you made your yoke exceedingly heavy.

[7] You said, “I shall be mistress forever,” so that you did not lay these things to heart

or remember their end.

 

[8] Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely,

who say in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me;

I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children”:

[9] These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day;

the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure,

in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments.

[10] You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, “No one sees me”;

your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray,

and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.”

[11] But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away;

disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone;

and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.

 

[12] Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries,

with which you have labored from your youth;

perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror.

[13] You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you,

those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars,

who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you.

[14] Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them;

they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame.

No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before!

[15] Such to you are those with whom you have labored,

who have done business with you from your youth;

they wander about, each in his own direction;

there is no one to save you.  (Isaiah 47 ESV)

“I am, and there is no one besides me.”  Babylon, the greatest nation in the world at that time, convinced herself she was invincible.  She was the superpower of the day, most likely the richest nation on earth.  She probably had the highest standard of living, the most modern conveniences, the best army, the best economy, and lacked nothing.  Except humility.  In their hearts, the Babylonians put themselves in the place of God.  She said in her heart, I AM, and there is no other.  In other words, like God, Babylon considered herself to be self-sufficient and answerable to no one.  She was liberated from any authority higher than herself because, in her mind, there was no higher authority.

But there was one very significant Other authority who said to Babylon, 

10 - You felt secure in your wickedness.  

12 - Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries,

13 - You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you,

those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you.

Babylon was known for her astrologers and sorcerers and her occult practices.  But in spite of all her satanic powers and her great and mighty gods, Jehovah says to her in verse 15: “There is no one to save you.  There is no salvation to be had for you, Babylon.  I will take vengeance upon you for what you did to My people, and there is no one who can deliver you from My hand.  You cannot deliver yourself.  Your so-called gods who are a burden to you certainly cannot save you.  They cannot save themselves!  Your fortune-telling counsellors cannot warn you of what will happen.  There is nowhere to run, no place to hide, there is no one to turn to, there is no weapon for your defense, there is no means of escape.  There is no one to save you from Me.”

This is not only an accurate depiction of what actually happened to Babylon.  The Medes and the Persians did indeed invade and conquer the Babylonian Empire with Cyrus as their king, just as God said would happen.  There was no one to save Babylon.

But this is also a type of what will happen to all who reject the only God there is.  If what we read here is true, 

• • that God is the only God and there really is no other, 
• • and if God has granted a means of salvation through Christ and there really is no other Savior, 
• • and if God is going to hold all men everywhere accountable for their sins 
• • and there remains no sacrifice for sin other than the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ, 

then what He says to Babylon is the same thing He says to all men everywhere: If you will not repent of your sins and trust Me, there is no one to save you.  If you trust in any god or any savior or in yourself or your heritage or your good works or your good looks, or you trust that there just really is no god out there, . . . if you are trusting in any man-made philosophy, or any man-made religion, or anything at all other than God Himself, anything else other than God is no savior at all.  

45:21c  . . . [T]here is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.  45:22  “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other.

“Keith, do you mean to tell me that all the people in the world who do not know and do not believe in Jesus Christ for salvation will not be saved?”

No.  I am not saying that.  I am saying God says that.  In fact, He said it 11 times just between Isaiah 44:6 and 46:9.  And the rest of the Bible affirms that truth and restates it multitudes of times.  That is what the entire Bible teaches consistently.  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel and the Father of Jesus Christ is the only God that exists.  Everything else the world worships or trusts in for salvation is a lie.  

• • The god of Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses is not God.  
• • The gods of Hinduism and Buddhism and all the other Eastern Mysticism religions are not God.  
• • The god of Islam is not God.  
• • The god of the Jews who deny that Jesus Christ is the Messiah is not God.  
• • The non-existent god of Stephen Hawking, and Richard Hitchens and Sam Harris and the New Atheists is obviously not God.  
• • The god who is tolerant of sinful alternative lifestyles and who approves the ordination of active homosexuals into the Christian ministry and gives people the right to murder their own children is not God.  
• • The god that allows the intercessory work of Jesus to be usurped by Mary and saints and priests is not God.  
• • The god of Neo-Evangelicalism that presumably sent His Son to die on the cross for sin, but who never confronts people in their sin in order to avoid making them feel uncomfortable or unhappy or to have a bad self-image is not God.  
• • The god who says “I am all-loving” but who is not just and never says he is angry with the wicked is not God.  
• • The god of those who say there are many ways to God is not God.  
• • The god of those who would say there are two ways to Heaven is not God.

Here’s what God, the God of the Bible, the God of Isaiah and the God of Israel says, and I am quoting:

I, I am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior.  I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.  I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.  Besides me there is no god.  Is there a God besides me?  I know not any.  There is no other, besides me there is no God;  There is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.  I am the Lord, and there is no other.  And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.  Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other.  I am God, and there is no other; 

I am God, and there is none like me.

In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory. (Isaiah 45:25 ESV)

There is no one [else] to save you. (Isaiah 47:15 ESV)