A Challenge to Israel's Enemies

Jehovah now returns to his controversy with the nations and their idol gods:  " 'Bring your controversial case forward,' says Jehovah.  'Produce your arguments,' says the King of Jacob.  'Produce and tell us the things that are going to happen.  The first things-what they were-do tell, that we may apply our heart and know the future of them.  Or cause us to hear even the things that are coming.  Tell the things that are to come afterward, that we may know that  you are gods. Yes, you ought to do good or do bad, that we may gaze about and see it at the same time.  Look! You are something nonexistent, and your achievement is nothing.  A detestable thing is anyone that chooses you.' " (Isaiah 41:21-24) Are the gods of the nations able to  prophesy accurately and thus prove that they have supernatural knowledge?  If they are, surely there should be some results either good or bad, to support their claims.  In fact, though, idol gods are not able to achieve anything and are as something nonexistent. 

In our day, some might  wonder why Jehovah, through Isaiah and his fellow  prophets, spent so much time condemning the folly of idolatry.  The uselessness of man-made idols may seem obvious to many today.  However, once a false system of belief has been established and widely accepted, it is hard to root I tout of the minds of those who believe it.  Many contemporary beliefs  are as senseless as the belief that lifeless images are really gods.  Yet, people cling to such beliefs despite persuasive arguments against them.  It is only by hearing the truth again and again that some are moved to see the wisdom of trusting in Jehovah.

Jehovah again refers to Cyrus:  "I have roused up someone from the north, and he will come.  from the rising of the sun he will call upon my name.  And he will come upon deputy rulers as if they were clay and just as a potter that tramples down the moist material.'  (Isaiah 41:25)   In contrast to the gods of the nations, Jehovah can accomplish things. When he brings Cyrus out of the east from "the rising of the sun," God will demonstrate his ability to predict and then fashion the future to fulfill his prediction.

 These words remind us of the apostle John's prophetic description of kings who would be roused to action in our time. At Revelation 16:12, we read  that the way  will be prepared "for the kings from the rising of the sun."  These kings are none other than Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Just as Cyrus delivered God's people long ago, these far mightier kings will annihilate Jehovah's enemies and shepherd his people through the great tribulation into a new world of righteousness. -Psalm 2:8, 9; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 7:14-17. 

Next time: Jehovah is Supreme!

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001