1. What are the names of two of Babylon’s principal gods, and what is foretold about them?

WHEN Israel is exiled in Babylon, she will be surrounded by false worship. During Isaiah’s time, Jehovah’s people are still in their own land, and they have the temple and the priesthood. Yet, many of God’s dedicated nation have succumbed to idolatry. It is vital, then, to prepare them in advance so that they will not be overawed by the false gods of Babylon or tempted to serve them. Hence, speaking prophetically of two of the main Babylonian gods, Isaiah says: “Bel has bent down, Nebo is stooping over; their idols have come to be for the wild beasts and for the domestic animals, their loads, pieces of luggage, a burden for the tired animals.” (Isaiah 46:1) Bel is the chief idol god among the Chaldeans. Nebo is venerated as a god of wisdom and learning. The respect that many have for these two gods is seen by the fact that their names are incorporated into a number of personal names of Babylonians​—Belshazzar, Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar, and Nebuzaradan, to mention just a few.

2. How is the helplessness of Babylon’s gods emphasized?

² Isaiah says that Bel has “bent down” and Nebo is “stooping over.” These false gods will be laid low. When Jehovah brings his judgment acts against Babylon, these gods will be unable to come to the aid of their worshipers. They will not even be able to save themselves! Bel and Nebo will no longer be carried in the honored place in processions, such as during the Babylonian New Year’s Day festival. Instead, they will have to be carted off like common luggage by those who worship them. Praise and adoration of them will give way to derision and contempt.

3. (a) What will shock the Babylonians? (b) What can be learned today from what happened to Babylon’s gods?

³ What a shock for the Babylonians to learn that their cherished idols are no more than a burden to be carried off by tired beasts!

[Pictures on page 94]

Babylon’s gods do not protect her from destruction

4. In what sense do Babylon’s gods “stoop over” and “bend down”?

⁴ Further highlighting the utter failure of Babylon’s gods, the prophecy continues: “They must stoop over; they must each alike bend down; they are simply unable to furnish escape for the burden, but into captivity their own soul must go.” (Isaiah 46:2) Babylon’s gods seem to “stoop over” and “bend down” as if wounded in battle or decrepit with age. They cannot even lighten the load or furnish escape for the lowly beasts that carry them. So, should Jehovah’s covenant people, even though captive in Babylon, give any honor to them? No!