Isaiah 46: Bel and Nebo are man-made gods.

 Was Isaiah 46 written by the prophet Isaiah indeed? Isaiah can be divided in two books: 1-39; and  40-55. The second part deals with the Babylonian captivity and points to Cyrus as the one who will deliver Jerusalem. Let us suppose that Isaiah 46 was written by a jew in Babilonia captivity. All Babylonias veneer Marduk (Bel) and other gods: they are the source of wisdom, the power, etc. We read:

1-2 The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps.
    The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules
And have to be hauled off,
    wearing out the poor mules—
Dead weight, burdens who can’t bear burdens,
    hauled off to captivity.

The author of these verses could be put to death by the Babylonians! Here, it is evident that Bel and Nebo are man-made gods. In contrast we read:

3-4
“Listen to me, family of Jacob,
    everyone that’s left of the family of Israel.
I’ve been carrying you on my back
    from the day you were born,
And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old.
    I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and gray.
I’ve done it and will keep on doing it,
    carrying you on my back, saving you.

The Lord carries the family of Israel instead of Babylonian gods being carried.
It is very likely that many Jews were considering to adore the Babylnian gods, but the Lord says:

5-7  “So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable?
    Can you picture me without reducing me?
People with a lot of money
    hire craftsmen to make them gods.
The artisan delivers the god,
    and they kneel and worship it!
They carry it around in holy parades,
    then take it home and put it on a shelf.
And there it sits, day in and day out,
    a dependable god, always right where you put it.
Say anything you want to it, it never talks back.
    Of course, it never does anything either!

Thus, the Lord is using logic, reason to make his people understand that it is foolish to adore the Babylonian gods. The Lord is the One who writes history and He proves it:

8-11  I am God, the only God you’ve had or ever will have—
    incomparable, irreplaceable—
From the very beginning
    telling you what the ending will be,
All along letting you in
    on what is going to happen,
Assuring you, ‘I’m in this for the long haul,
    I’ll do exactly what I set out to do,’
Calling that eagle, Cyrus, out of the east,
    from a far country the man I chose to help me.
I’ve said it, and I’ll most certainly do it.
    I’ve planned it, so it’s as good as done.

The Lord touches the heart of the people of Israel using words:

12-13  “Now listen to me:
    You’re a hardheaded bunch and hard to help.
I’m ready to help you right now.
    Deliverance is not a long-range plan.
    Salvation isn’t on hold.
I’m putting salvation to work in Zion now,
    and glory in Israel.”

It is the Lord who chose Israel and not the opposite.