April 16, 2003
Reading: Isaiah 46:1-7

 

“I will carry, and will deliver you” (4)

 

One of the more well-known parables Jesus told is that of the shepherd carrying His sheep on His shoulders. Artists have captured this scene on canvas and sculptors in various materials – one beautiful model stands in the grounds of the Crystal Cathedral in California. While Jesus captured an everyday event to teach the truth of God’s love and faithfulness, perhaps He also had our scripture in Isaiah in mind.

The concept of Jehovah carrying His people was one that strengthened and comforted them – “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Isa 40:11). This was a part of the covenantal blessing that the Children of Israel would enjoy if they loved God and obeyed His Word with all their heart (Deut 28:1-14).

God’s promises to us today have not diminished one bit – He has promised to be with us (Heb 13:5), to love us (John 15:9), to teach us (John 14:26), to protect us (John 10:28,29), to comfort us (John 14:16), to strengthen us (1 Peter 5:10), and much more. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

In our scripture reading God makes a clear distinction between the gods of Babylon and Himself. The gods Bel and Nebo could carry no one, but rather they themselves had to be carried (Isa 46:1-2). Instead of carrying the burden of those who worshipped them, they became a burden to them (7). Even though they were made of gold and silver, their eyes could not see their troubles neither could their ears hear their cries (7) – they could offer no comfort or love.

“To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike?” (5) - the same question rings in our ears today. Hear Jesus say, I left the glory of heaven and became a Man, I endured the face to face onslaught of the devil, I was rejected by those who professed to love Me, I was ridiculed and tortured by those whom I created, nails held Me on the cross and a spear pierced My side, I died, all because I loved you and wished to make a way for you to be reconciled to God. To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me? Those shoulders that carry His people carried the cross upon which He was nailed. These are the shoulders upon which we are invited to cast our burdens (1 Peter 5:7).

Moses reminded the people of what God had done for them, “The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place' (Deut 1:30-32). The Lord carried His people in the wilderness by fighting for them, and feeding and clothing them. Will He do less for us who are called by His Name and who have His Holy Spirit living within? No matter what problem, burden or circumstance appears to overtake and crush us, remember His promises, for they are solid and He is faithful.

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, 'Destroy!' Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, in a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places" (Deut 33:26-29).