What does Isaiah 45:20 mean?
"¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save." - Isaiah 45:20
Isaiah 45:20 (KJV) "Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save."
The Book of Isaiah, written by the prophet Isaiah, is one of the major prophetic books in the Old Testament. It contains 66 chapters and is known for its powerful imagery, poetic language, and profound prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. This particular verse, Isaiah 45:20, is found in the context of a broader message from God to the Israelites and to the nations. In this verse, God is calling the people to assemble and draw near to Him, contrasting their actions with those who do not know the true God and instead worship idols.
The themes present in this verse are the exclusivity of the true God, the futility of idol worship, and the call to repentance and faith. The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. In the preceding verses, God declares His supremacy and sovereignty over the nations, even using a pagan king, Cyrus, as His instrument to accomplish His purposes. He asserts His power and authority as the one and only God, and challenges the nations to acknowledge Him as such. In verse 20, God calls those who have "escaped" from the nations, likely referring to the remnant of Israel or perhaps believers from other nations, to come together and draw near to Him.
The verse presents a sharp contrast between those who have the knowledge of the true God and those who do not. The ones who have escaped from the nations are called to come together and draw near to God, recognizing that He alone is worthy of worship and adoration. On the other hand, the nations that have no knowledge of the true God are depicted as setting up graven images and praying to gods that cannot save. This highlights the futility and foolishness of idol worship, as well as the contrast between the true God who is able to save and deliver, and the false gods who are powerless and impotent.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The assembly and drawing near to God represent an act of worship, submission, and devotion to Him. This is a call to the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith and to come together as a community of believers. The graven images and the gods that cannot save symbolize the false idols and gods of the nations, which are powerless and empty. This serves as a warning against idolatry and a call to turn away from anything that takes the place of God in our lives.
Overall, Isaiah 45:20 carries a powerful message about the exclusivity of the true God, the futility of idol worship, and the call to repentance and faith. It calls believers to draw near to God, to worship Him alone, and to recognize His sovereignty and power. It also serves as a warning against idolatry and a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and worshiping the one true God. In a broader theological sense, this verse points to the overarching theme of the Bible - the redemption of humanity through the saving work of Jesus Christ, who is the one true Savior and the only way to God. As believers, we are called to respond to this message by acknowledging and worshiping the true God, and by sharing this message with others who may be ensnared by the futility of idol worship.
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Isaiah 45:20 - "¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save."
"¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save." - Isaiah 45:20
Isaiah 45:3
Isaiah 45:2
Isaiah 45:5-6
Isaiah 45:5-6
Ezekiel 20:45 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Isaiah 45:25 - "In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."
Luke 20:45 - "¶ Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,"
Isaiah 45:15 - "Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour."
Genesis 45:20 - "Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's."
Isaiah 45:23 That to Me every knee shall bow,
Isaiah 45:16 - "They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols."
Isaiah 45:22 - "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."
Isaiah 45:17 - "But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end."
Isaiah 45:7 - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
Isaiah 45:6 - "That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else."
Isaiah 45:10 - "Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?"
Isaiah 45:5 - "¶ I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:"
"¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 20:45
Isaiah 45:2 - "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:"
Ezekiel 45:20 - "And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house."
"In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory." - Isaiah 45:25
"Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it." - Isaiah 45:8
Isaiah 45:24 - "Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed."
Isaiah 45:12 - "I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded."
"¶ Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples," - Luke 20:45
"Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's." - Genesis 45:20
Isaiah 45:3 - "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."
Isaiah 45:11 - "Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me."