he idols could not save themselves, but God saves his people.
(1-4) The folly of worshipping idols. (5-13)
Verses 1-4: The heathen insulted the Jews, as if their idols Bel and
Nebo were too hard for Jehovah. But their worshippers cannot
help them; both the idols and the idolaters are gone into
captivity. Let not God's people be afraid of either. Those
things from which ungodly men expect safety and happiness, will
be found unable to save them from death and hell. The true God
will never fail his worshippers. The history of the life of
every believer is a kind of abstract of the history of Israel.
Our spiritual life is upheld by his grace, as constantly as our
natural life by his providence. And God will never leave them.
The Author will be the Finisher of their well-being, when, by
decays, they need help as much as in infancy. This promise to
Israel, enfeebled and grown old as a nation, is applicable to
every aged follower of Christ. When compassed about with
infirmities, and perhaps those around begin to grow weary of
you, yet I am He that I have promised to be, He that you would
have me to be. I will bear you up; carry you on in your way, and
carry you home at last. If we learn to trust in and love him, we
need not be anxious about our remaining days or years; he will
still provide for us and watch over us, both as the creatures of
his power, and as new-created by his Spirit.
Verses 5-13: Here the folly of those who made idols, and then prayed to
them, is exposed. How does the profuseness of idolaters shame
the niggardliness of many who call themselves God's servants,
but are for a religion which costs them nothing! The service of
sin always costs a great deal. God puts it to them what
senseless, helpless things idols are. Let, then, the Jews show
themselves men, avoiding such abominations. Many Scripture
prophecies, delivered long ago, are not yet fulfilled; but the
fulfilling of some is an earnest that the rest will come to
pass. Nothing can help more to make us easy, than to be assured
that God will do all his pleasure. Even those who know not and
mind not God's revealed will, are called and used to fulfil the
counsels of his secret will. Heaven and earth shall pass away,
sooner than one tittle of the word of God. Obstinate sinners are
addressed. Such were far from acceptance, but they were summoned
to hearken to the word of the Lord. The salvation of a sinner
begins with a humble and contrite heart, that trembles at God's
word, with godly sorrow working true repentance, and faith in
his mercy, through the obedience unto death of our Divine
Surety. Christ, as the Divine righteousness and salvation to his
people, would come in the appointed time. His salvation abides
in his church for all believers.
he idols could not save themselves, but God saves his people.
(1-4) The folly of worshipping idols. (5-13)