Describing God

The Attributes of God(45:22–25; 46:3–13; 48:1–22):

In these passages Isaiah lists at least seven characteristics or attributes of God.

A. His salvation (45:22–25; 48:20–22)

1. Offered universally, to all nations (45:22–25): Every knee bows, and every tongue confesses allegiance to God’s name.

2. Offered nationally, to Israel (48:20–22): The Lord redeems the people of Israel.

B. His faithfulness (46:3–4; 48:16–17)

1. In caring for his own (46:3–4): He created them and has cared for them throughout their lives.

2. In correcting his own (48:16–17): He teaches them what is good and which paths to follow.

C. His uniqueness (46:5–9): No idol, regardless of its craftsmanship or costliness, can even remotely depict him!

D. His omnipotence (46:10–13; 48:13–15)

1. He created all things (48:13): He spoke, and everything came into being.

2. He has chosen a pagan Persian named Cyrus to accomplish the rebuilding of the Temple (46:11–13; 48:14–15): Cyrus will destroy Babylon and allow the Temple to be rebuilt.

3. He does whatever he desires to do (46:10): He is the only one who can tell what is going to happen, for he has it all in his control.

E. His eternality (48:12): He is both the first and last.

F. His grace (48:1–11): In spite of the Israelites’ rebellion, he refines them in the furnace of affliction and redeems them for his name’s sake.

G. His grief (48:18–19): His heart aches when he contemplates the blessings Israel would have enjoyed if that nation had obeyed him.[1]

[1] H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible(Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Is 45–48:19.