Isaiah 46:8

Context

Isaiah 46:8 is part of a powerful declaration by God through the prophet Isaiah, challenging the people of Judah concerning their tendency towards idolatry. The preceding verses (Isaiah 46:1-7) vividly contrast the impotence of Babylonian idols like Bel and Nebo, which must be carried by their worshippers, with the omnipotence and steadfastness of the true God, who carries His people from birth to old age. This verse is a direct appeal to those who have forgotten God's unique power and have strayed into spiritual transgression, urging them to reflect on these profound truths.

Key Themes

• Divine Remembrance and Human Forgetfulness: The command "Remember this" highlights humanity's natural propensity to forget foundational divine truths and God's past faithfulness. It's a call to actively recall God's character and deeds.
• A Call to Spiritual Maturity and Rationality: "Shew yourselves men" is a powerful exhortation to act with sound judgment and spiritual discernment, rather than foolishly clinging to false hopes or worshipping inert objects. It implies a need for introspection and a return to spiritual sobriety.
• The Folly of Idolatry: Implicit in the call to remember God's supremacy is a strong condemnation of the irrationality and futility of worshipping man-made idols, which are unable to save or deliver, unlike the living God. This contrasts sharply with the futility of worshipping man-made images described elsewhere.
• An Invitation to Repentance: Addressed directly to "O ye transgressors," the verse is a tender yet firm invitation for those who have strayed from God's path to return to Him through remembrance and renewed commitment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "shew yourselves men" translates the Hebrew word 'ashash (אָשַׁשׁ), which means "to be strong," "to be firm," or "to act like a man." It's an imperative to demonstrate spiritual fortitude, maturity, and sound reasoning. It's not merely a call to masculinity, but to a robust, discerning mind that understands the difference between the living God and lifeless idols, urging a departure from childish or foolish spiritual behavior.

Related Scriptures

• This call to remembrance echoes the importance of recalling God's commands and works, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:12, which warns against forgetting the Lord.
• The emphasis on remembering God's unique nature and power is foundational to the covenant relationship, similar to the declarations in Isaiah 45:5, "I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me."
• The direct address to "transgressors" and the call to "bring it again to mind" resonates with God's broader invitation to repentance, such as in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together."

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 46:8 serves as a timeless reminder to continuously bring God's truth to mind. In a world filled with distractions and competing allegiances—modern "idols" like wealth, power, status, or self-reliance—this verse calls us to:

• Spiritual Discernment: To critically evaluate what we place our trust in and to discern between true and false sources of security and hope.
• Active Remembrance: To intentionally recall God's faithfulness, His character, and His promises, especially during times of doubt or temptation.
• Maturity in Faith: To act with spiritual maturity and sound judgment, avoiding foolish choices that compromise our relationship with God.
• Repentance and Return: To humbly acknowledge our own transgressions and to continually turn back to the one true God who alone can save and sustain.