The Gods on Trial

Jehovah now makes his promise to free Israel the basis for a universal court case in which  he puts the gods of the nations on trial.  We read: "Let the nations all be collected together at one place, and let national groups be gathered together.  Who [of their gods]  is there among them that can tell this?  Or can they cause  us to hear even the first things?   Let them [their gods] furnish their witnesses, that they may be declared righteous, or let them hear and say, 'It is the truth!' " (Isaiah 43:9)  Jehovah places a formidable  challenge before the nations of the world.  In effect, he says: 'Let your gods prove that they are gods by accurately foretelling the future.'  As only the true God  can prophesy unerringly, this test will expose all impostors.  (Isaiah 48:5)  But the Almighty God adds yet another stipulation: All who claim  to be true gods must furnish witnesses, both to their predictions and to the fulfillment of these.  Naturally, Jehovah does not exclude himself from this legal requirement.  

Being impotent, false gods can furnish no witnesses.  Hence, the witness stand remains embarrassingly empty.  But now come Jehovah's time to confirm his Godship.  Looking towards his people he says:  "You are my witnesses, . . .even my servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and have faith in me, and that you may understand that I am the same One.  Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none.  I -I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior. I myself have told forth and have saved and have caused it to be heard, where there was among you no strange god. So you are my witnesses, . . .and I am God. Also, all the time I am the same One; and there is no one effecting deliverance out of my own hand.  I shall get active, and who can turn [my hand] back?" Isaiah 43:10-13.

In response to Jehovah's words, the witness stand soon overflows with a joyful throng of witnesses.  Their testimony is clear and unassailable.  Like Joshua, they testify that 'everything Jehovah has spoken has come true.  Not one word has failed.' (Joshua 23:14) Still ringing in the ears of Jehovah's people are the words of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and other prophets  who, as with one voice, foretold Judah's exile and their miraculous deliverance from exile.  (Jeremiah 25:11, 12) Judah's deliverer, Cyrus, was name well before he was ever born!  - Isaiah 44:26-45:1.

In view of this mountain of evidence, who can deny that Jehovah is the only true God?  Unlike pagan gods, Jehovah alone is uncreated; he alone is the true God. Consequently, the people hearing Jehovah's name have the unique and thrilling privilege of relating his wonderful deeds to future generations and to others who inquire about him.  (Psalm 78:5-7)  In a similar way, Jehovah's modern-day Witnesses have the privilege of declaring Jehovah's name in all the earth.  In the 1920's  the Bible Students became increasingly aware of the deep significance of God's name, Jehovah. Then, on July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, the Society's president, Joseph F. Rutherford, presented a resolution  entitled  "A New Name."  The words, "We desire  to be known as and called by the name, to wit, Jehovah's Witnesses," thrilled the coventioneers, who approved the resolution with a resounding "Aye!" Since then, Jehovah's name has gained worldwide prominence. -Psalm 83:18.

Jehovah cares for those who bear his name honorably viewing them as  "the pupil of his eye."  He reminds the Israelites of this, telling them how he delivered them from Egypt and led them safely through the wilderness.  (Deuteronomy 32:10, 12)  At that time there was not strange god among them, for they saw with their own eyes the utter humiliation of all the gods of Egypt.  Yes, the entire Egyptian pantheon could neither protect Egypt nor prevent Israel's departure.  (Exodus 12:12) Likewise, might Babylon, whose urban landscape is dominated by at least 50 temples to false gods, will be unable to check the hand of the Almighty when he frees his people. Clearly, "there is no savior" besides Jehovah. 

Next time: War-Horses Fall, Prisons Open

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