The Lord Alone Can Save
July 3, 2020
Commentary
This passage is God’s promise that when Egypt and the Sabeans (Arabs who came from Seba in Southern Arabia) shall fall down and acknowledge that Jehovah is the only God (v. 14). Though at times it may seem as if the Lord is hiding, He really is the Savior of Israel ( v. 15). The people who persist in idol worship will be ashamed but the believing Israelites will never be ashamed for they will enjoy God’s salvation forever (vv 16-17). The purpose for God’s creation is clearly stated as a place for men to dwell and for the salvation of mankind (vv 18-19). God’s promises are public and their fulfilment is sure.
God calls His people to assemble themselves from among the nations (Gentiles) and return to Him v. 20). He is not only superior to the idols of wood but He is the one who can predict the future with the accuracy that only the true and living god can do (v. 21). His invitation is to all the people of the earth; “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." (v. 22). It was after hearing a sermon preached on this text that Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous Baptist preacher from England was converted.
God’s promise that will not be broken is that everyone will bow down and worship Him (v. 23). Everyone who is angry at Him will be terribly ashamed and turn to Him (v. 24). This chapter ends with the statement; “In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified” (vv. 25). Israel was to be the means through which the whole world would come to know God. However, God makes it clear that his people include all those who follow Him.
Application
Why do I ever doubt God? I never have to be uncertain because His promises are sure.
Isaiah 45:14– 25 (NET)
14 This is what the Lord says: “The profit of Egypt and the revenue of Ethiopia, along with the Sabeans, those tall men, will be brought to you and become yours. They will walk behind you, coming along in chains. They will bow down to you and pray to you: ‘Truly God is with you; he has no peer; there is no other God!’”
15 Yes, you are a God who keeps hidden, O God of Israel, deliverer!
16 They will all be ashamed and embarrassed; those who fashion idols will all be humiliated.
17 Israel will be delivered once and for all by the Lord; you will never again be ashamed or humiliated.
18 For this is what the Lord says, the one who created the sky— he is the true God, the one who formed the earth and made it; he established it, he did not create it without order, he formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, I have no peer.
19 I have not spoken in secret, in some hidden place. I did not tell Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain!’ I am the Lord, the one who speaks honestly, who makes reliable announcements.
20 Gather together and come! Approach together, you refugees from the nations. Those who carry wooden idols know nothing, those who pray to a god that cannot deliver.
21 Tell me! Present the evidence! Let them consult with one another. Who predicted this in the past? Who announced it beforehand? Was it not I, the Lord? I have no peer, there is no God but me, a God who vindicates and delivers; there is none but me.
22 Turn to me so you can be delivered, all you who live in the earth’s remote regions! For I am God, and I have no peer.
23 I solemnly make this oath — what I say is true and reliable: ‘Surely every knee will bow to me, every tongue will solemnly affirm;
24 they will say about me, “Yes, the Lord is a powerful deliverer.”’” All who are angry at him will cower before him.
25 All the descendants of Israel will be vindicated by the Lord and will boast in him.
Illustration: How Do You Know You Are Saved
A twelve year old boy became a Christian during a revival. The next week at school his friends questioned him about the experience. “Did you see a vision?” asked one friend. “Did you hear God speak?” asked another. The youngster answered no to all these questions. “Well, how did you know you were saved?” they asked. The boy searched for an answer and finally he said, “It’s like when you catch a fish, you can’t see the fish, or hear the fish; you just feel him tugging on you line. I just felt God tugging on my heart.” (Jon Sigler – Sermon Central).