May 16

Isaiah 46
Some years ago I was talking with a fellow pastor, whom I considered to be conservative theologically like myself. He made a statement that really surprised me. It was out of character for a conservative evangelical. He said something to the effect of, “I don’t really see anything more godly about capitalism than socialism. I think socialism could work just as effectively as capitalism if Christians were in charge.” I have thought about that for years. Certainly over the last 50 years our country has become increasingly more socialistic and less capitalistic. But if there were a patron god for red-neck Oklahoma, what would it be? Some might say that it would be Jesus. I would certainly disagree; at least he would not be the Jesus of the Bible. Some might say that it would be that we live in a democratic republic. I think that is true of some people. Some might say that it is our sense that we should be the policemen of the world. I think that is true of some people; otherwise, why are we in Iraq and Afghanistan? Perhaps for some it is a god of war. Some might worship a god of education. That is probably true of many in Stillwater, home of OSU.
It is interesting that Isaiah addresses the gods of Babylon in this chapter.
The Babylonian god Bel (Is. 46:1; Jer. 50:2; 51:44) is the same as Marduk, the chief Babylonian god. The Babylonian god Merodach (Jer. 50:2), an alternate spelling of Marduk, was the god of war and the patron deity of the city of Babylon. Nebo (Is. 46:1) was the Babylonian god of education, literature, writing, wisdom, the arts, and sciences. The special seat of his worship was at Borsippa, near Babylon. The Akkadian form of his name is Nabu.
The Lord says that He will make Bel bow down and Nebo stoop. He eventually did that in history. Babylon is no more. He makes a point to emphasize that He will carry His people and bring us to a place where we will no longer have any idols. He declares that He is God and there is no other. There is none like Him. He warns us who are stubborn hearted that He is bringing His righteousness near. We need to avail ourselves of it while it is available. He brings us salvation for His glory, not our own.
Let us lay down our gods of economic systems, desires to be right in our own eyes, to be the wisest in the world. None of those things will save us; only His glory can transform us. Oh Lord Jesus, how I need You! Come and work Your glory in my life! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john