Category: Isaiah

¹⁰ “Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples. ¹¹ Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” ¹² And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” (Isaiah 62:10–12)

God’s Word is comprehensive with God’s commandments. His orders are not confined to just ten (Exodus 20) or located in only the Old Testament (Ephesians 4-6). His commands are to be obeyed, especially by His covenant people (Joshua 1:1-9; Romans 1:5).

“Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples” (Isaiah 62:10). This verse features a series of urgent commands from God. They focus upon the need for God’s people to be spiritually ready for the LORD’s coming. To lift a signal, or raise a banner, was a way of announcing something in the ancient world. Within this context, these commands announced to all nations that Yahweh was coming.

The LORD continually personifies salvation, or deliverance, of His people from their sin. His people are His exceedingly great reward. God’s people will possess several names and identifying titles.

First, they are called The Holy People. They are positionally, and experientially, to be holy, set apart from sin, as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:1-2; 20:7, 26; 21:8; I Peter 1:15-16).

Second, God’s people are The Redeemed of the LORD. These are they who the LORD has purchased through the kinsmen redeemer, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:14-18).

Third, they are the Sought Out. They are the ones who the LORD sought out with care (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10).

Finally, God’s people are A City Not Forsaken. God’s people are those who He will never abandon (Hebrews 13:5).

What was true for God’s people in the historical past, is also true in the historical present and will be in the future. The LORD is coming soon and His people are to be ready.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

^“6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, ⁷ and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. ⁸ The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; ⁹ but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.” (Isaiah 62:6–9)

The ultimate salvation God brings to all of His people, glorification, is preceded by justification and then sanctification. While glorification is salvation from the very presence of sin, justification is God’s initial salvation from the penalty of sin. Justification is then followed by sanctification, which is progressive salvation from the power of sin.

Isaiah 62:6-9 is a description of sanctification for the people of God who lived in Israel during the 8^th century B.C. It contains a message of hope from God to His covenant community.

^“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest.” The LORD promised His people that He had established His own unique watchmen on the walls of the city. Rather than military watchmen or lookouts, these watchmen were God’s prophets who He charged with watching over the spiritual condition of His people. The watchmen gave warnings to God’s people concerning lurking enemies, both from without and within. God promised to continually provide His spokesmen to strengthen and encourage His people.

^“And give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.” The watchmen were not only to preach to God’s people, they also prayed to the One, True God of the people. Their prayers were for the LORD to establish Israel, or Jerusalem, and make it an object of praise to the LORD.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “In the ancient world watchmen were stationed on city walls (often in towers) to watch for any approaching enemy. While on guard they were never to sleep. Righteous Israelites, like watchmen, were to be alert on Jerusalem’s behalf. They were to give themselves and God (Him) no rest till He establishes Jerusalem, that is, they were constantly to ask God that the city become the praise of the earth, so blessed by God that people everywhere would extol her (cf. 60:15; 61:11).”

^8 “The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; ⁹ but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”

God promised that once He established His eternal kingdom, Jerusalem would never be dominated again by ungodly and foreign powers. This is a solemn oath established by God’s sovereign power. .

Dr. Walvoord explains further that, “The “watchmen” were to hold God to His promises, knowing that is what He desires. God’s people should pray for things even when they know God has promised them. Jesus made this clear when He taught His disciples to pray that the kingdom will come (Matt. 6:10). When Jerusalem is restored, it will never again fall to its enemies (Isa. 62:8–9). God has assured it by oath (sworn by His right hand) and by His power (arm).”

God still has His watchmen watching over His people. They are pastor/teachers.

I Peter 5:1-5 says, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ² shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Hebrews 13:7 & 17 says, “⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Thank you LORD for your watchmen. Take time today to thank your pastor for His faithful service.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. ² The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. ³ You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. ⁴ You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. ⁵ For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:1-5).

The words of the Prophet Isaiah concerning practical righteousness and holiness in 62:1-5 are established upon the LORD’s imputed righteousness which Isaiah spoke of in 61:10-11 when he said, ¹⁰ “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ¹¹ For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.”

What God’s people are in position is to be displayed and practiced in the daily task of living.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  

James 2:14-17 says, “¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? ¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Isaiah indicates that he will not cease to preach and herald God’s Word for the sake of God’s people. His ultimate desire is to see in his lifetime God’s people displaying their imputed righteousness from God in their daily practice of living life. When the nations witness such integrity of godliness from godly people, God will uniquely bless them. He will give them a new name. God’s people will no longer be known as Forsaken and Desolate. Rather, God will call them My Delight Is in Her (Hephzibah) and the LORD shall call the land Married (Beulah).

Dr. Don Carson writes, “This is another poem in the series (beginning at 49:14, ending with 66:7–16) that depicts Zion as a woman yearning for her husband and family. But here the stress is on God’s side of the reunion: the energy of his will (1a); the height (1b) and width (2) of his ambition for her; the pride he takes in perfecting her (3); his joy in bringing home the outcast (4a); and the central mystery—that this is not philanthropy but ardent love (4b, 5b).”

Rejoice today that God takes delight in you and that you are the bride of Christ. Thank Him for His ardent love.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

¹⁰ “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ¹¹ For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations” (Isaiah 61:10-11).

Isaiah begins today’s text with an exclamation of praise. He said that he would greatly rejoice in the LORD. The grammar indicates that this enjoyment in the person of Yahweh, the One, True self-existent God of the universe, was to be a consistent attitude and behavior in his life.

Isaiah’s rejoicing would encompass his very soul: his intellect, emotions and will. To exult means to rejoice with shouts and shrieks of praise. Here too, the grammar indicates that this attitude and behavior of exultation would be continuous.

Why was Isaiah so captivated with praising the LORD? Why should we be? Isaiah provided the answer when he wrote, “for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Here, as in Zechariah 3:1-5, is an Old Testament picture of God’s imputed righteousness being credited on the sinner’s behalf. The basis of this imputation is by God’s grace alone, through God given faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Dr. Stephen Nichols writes, “We see how essential the doctrine of justification by faith alone was in the Reformation planks of sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and solus Christus (Christ alone). These solas stress that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We must also see, however, that the Reformers emphasized a word that they found to be absolutely essential to the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which they in turn saw as essential to a right understanding of the gospel. That word is imputation.”

The word imputation comes from the Latin. It is an accounting or mathematical term meaning “to apply to one’s account.” In other words, expenses are debited and income is credited. The word “reckon” is used for imputation in the King James Version.

Dr. Nichols continues by saying, “In theological terms, we speak of a double imputation that takes place in justification. This double imputation is taught in texts such as 2 Corinthians 5:21, where Paul says plainly, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Here we read that our sin is imputed to Christ. We are the offending party. He is guiltless. He perfectly kept the law. Yet, on the cross, God poured out His wrath on Christ. Why? Because our sin was imputed to Christ. Christ took upon Himself our sin. Our great debit was put on His account. Christ paid the horrific penalty as the cup of God’s wrath was poured out upon Him.”

“There is also a second imputation. Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us. He not only takes our debit, but we also get His credit. Christ paid the penalty we could never satisfy, but He also kept the law perfectly, which we can’t do either. Consequently, God credits to us His righteousness. We stand before God clothed in Christ’s righteousness. We can actually say that we are saved by works—not at all by our works, but instead by Christ’s works, His perfect obedience, on our behalf. One theologian said that two of the most beautiful words in the Bible are for us. Jesus lived and died—and rose again—for us. All of His work was done on our behalf.”

Isaiah compared this imputed righteousness to the festive wedding garments of a bride and groom. He also compared it to the earth bringing forth luscious vegetation. Much like the rejoicing which takes place on one’s wedding day, or in the full sway of summer when the land is producing abundant crops, so likewise God’s people are to bring forth abundant praise for the imputed righteousness each has received from the LORD Most High.

This essential doctrine is expressed most succinctly in The Word Made Flesh: The Ligonier Statement on Christology. The redemption Christ accomplished is stated in the fourth stanza of the statement: For us, He kept the law, atoned for sin, and satisfied God’s wrath. He took our filthy rags and gave us His righteous robe. I encourage you to read Romans 3:9-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Philippians 3:1-9).

Thank you LORD for exchanging your robes of righteousness in place of my filthy rags of sinfulness. Much like Isaiah, and Zechariah, I can never thank and praise you enough for what you have done for me.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

During the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:14), Jesus spoke to the crowds and declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus miraculously illustrated this truth by healing a man born blind (John 9). The Apostle John declared that Jesus was the light of men (John 1:4).

The metaphor of Jesus being the light of the world is an image steeped in Old Testament history. For example, God led His people through the wilderness of the Sinai in a pillar of cloud to guide them during the day and in a pillar of fire by night to light their way (Ex. 13:21–22).

Familiar are the words expressed by David in Psalm 27:1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” The psalmist also said of the law of God: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Additionally, Israel’s armies conquered by the light of God’s face (Psalm 44:3).

Israel’s prophets also regularly used the light metaphor. When God reveals Himself, the light of His glory is present (Ezek. 1:4, 13, 26–28). In Isaiah 60:19–22, the prophet tells us that in the age to come, God Himself will be light to His people, a point also made by the prophet Zechariah ( Zechariah 14:5–7).

Isaiah described the reflected splendor of God’s people in Isaiah 60-62. This God reflected glory would not only inhabit the City of Jerusalem but also the country and nation of Israel.

Concerning Jerusalem, Isaiah declared that:

• Jerusalem would illuminate the entire earth (60:1–3): All the nations will see its light.
• Jerusalem would be visited and honored by the Gentiles (60:5–7, 10–16): The nations will come to see Jerusalem and bring its people goods.
• Jerusalem would be protected by God himself (60:17–18): Violence would disappear from the land.
• Jerusalem would shine forever in its splendor (60:19–21): The people will have no need for sun or moon, for the Lord will be their everlasting light.
• Jerusalem’s population would vastly increase (60:22): The smallest family will become a large clan.
• Jerusalem would be known by various new names (62:1–4, 12): Isaiah prayed for God to take away Israel’s shame and to give them a new name.
• Jerusalem will be given the name Hephzibah, meaning “City of God’s Delight,” and Beulah, meaning “Bride of God” (62:4): Jerusalem will lose its shameful names.
• Jerusalem will become “The City No Longer Forsaken” (62:12): The cities citizens will be called “the Holy People” and “the People Redeemed by the Lord.”

Concerning the Nation of Israel, Isaiah declared that:

• Their children will care for them (62:5): God will rejoice over them.
• They will be regathered from among all other nations (60:8–9; 62:10–11): They will come home, bringing their wealth with them.
• They will rebuild long-destroyed cities (61:4).
• The Gentiles will serve Israel (61:5): They will feed the Israelites’ flocks, plow their fields, and tend their vineyards.
• They will be a priestly nation (61:6): They will be called priests of the Lord.
• All reproach will be replaced with great honor among the Gentile nations (61:7–9): They will be a people the Lord has blessed.
• They will never suffer defeat again (62:8–9): They will be safe from their enemies forever.
• In the future Israel will testify throughout the earth concerning God’s faithfulness. (61:10–11).
• The people are to give themselves no rest until Jerusalem is established (62:6): They will pray to the Lord night and day for fulfillment of his promises.
• The people are to give God no rest until Jerusalem is established (62:7): Jerusalem will be the object of praise throughout the earth.

All of these future blessings and promises of and from God are directly because of the person and work of the Servant of Yahweh, the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. He alone is the Savior of God’s people because God the Father appointed Him and the Holy Spirit anointed Him (Isaiah 61:1-3).

The Father’s appointment and the Spirit’s anointing was so the Messiah would preach good news to the poor (61:1b), comfort the brokenhearted (61:1c), release the captives and free prisoners (61:1d), and transform ashes into beauty, sorrow into joy, and despair into praise (61:2–3): All this is done for the glory of God.

 Soli deo Gloria!

 

¹⁵ Truth is lacking, and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. ¹⁶ He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. ¹⁷ He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as in a mantle. ¹⁸ According to their deeds, so will he repay; wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital. ¹⁹ So those in the west shall fear the name of the Lord, and those in the east, his glory; for he will come like a pent-up stream that the wind of the Lord drives on. ²⁰ And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the Lord. ²¹ And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the Lord, from now on and forever” (Isaiah 59:15-21).

Isaiah heralded the coming of the Lord and the completion of the restoration of God’s people. However, in light of this blessing there was also the burden of Israel’s sin.

To begin with, there is the plight of Israel living in a fallen world (59:15b–16). Because God saw there was no justice on earth, nor was there anyone who sided with Israel, the LORD chose to personally intervene. He would come to Jerusalem (Zion) as Redeemer. The redeemed will be those who turn from their transgression.

God’s unfolding plan of redemption will be two-fold. First, He will punish sin. Second, He will usher in everlasting righteousness. There will be great tribulation (59:17–18), but it will be followed by a glorious millennium where the LORD’s people will be wonderfully blessed (59:19-21).

Dr. R. C. Sproul commented that, “The LORD will come in the person of Jesus Christ, brining salvation to all who repent and turn from their sins. The Apostle Paul quotes this promise in Romans 11:26-27. The LORD’s covenant of grace is renewed through the gift of His promised Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).”

Soli deo Gloria!

Isaiah 58-66 heralds the coming of the Lord and the completion of the restoration of God’s people. In chapters 58-59, the prophet articulated the need for Israel to repent in light of its spiritual and religious hypocrisy. What were the consequences of their sin?

To begin with, there was the consequence of unanswered prayer (59:1-2). Isaiah 59:1-2 says, “See, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. ²Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Abraham’s physical lineage had not yet experienced the Lord’s deliverance because of the barrier created by their wrongdoing. This is a universal truth applying to all men—sin separates people from God (cf. Rom. 3:23).”

 Second, there was the consequence of spiritual and emotional despair. The unrighteousness within the nation was a direct result of their own personal unrighteousness. Isaiah 59:9 says, “Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us; we wait for light, and lo! there is darkness; and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.”

Thirdly, there was spiritual blindness. The people walked about as if they were blind. Isaiah 59:10 says, “We grope like the blind along a wall, groping like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among the vigorous as though we were dead.” This certainly parallels John 9.

Fourthly, there was frustration on the part of the people because of injustice. In amplifying what we already read in Isaiah 59:9, vs. 11 says, “We all growl like bears; like doves we moan mournfully. We wait for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us.”

What is the only cure for sins consequences? Isaiah 59:12-15 provides the answer. “¹²For our transgressions before you are many, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions indeed are with us, and we know our iniquities: ¹³transgressing, and denying the Lord, and turning away from following our God, talking oppression and revolt, conceiving lying words and uttering them from the heart. ¹⁴     Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance; for truth stumbles in the public square, and uprightness cannot enter. ¹⁵Truth is lacking, and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.”  

Confession of one’s sin and repentance from the same is the simple, but significant, cure to the consequences of sin. It is the only cure for deliverance from the penalty of sin, but also it is the only cure from the power of sin. What was true for Israel 2.700 years ago, remains true for the church today.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

Isaiah 58-66 heralds the coming of the Lord and the completion of the restoration of God’s people. In chapters 58-59, the prophet articulated the need for Israel to repent in light of its spiritual and religious hypocrisy.

What were Israel’s prevailing sins in the 8^th century B.C.? It should not surprise us that Israel’s sins mirror the sins of us living in the 21^st century A.D. Even God’s chosen people, the church comprised of Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-22), is not immune from these prevailing stumbling blocks.

First, there was religious hypocrisy (58:1–12). Hypocrisy is pretending to be something superficially which you are not internally. It is acting out a role, like a character in a play or movie. Religiously, it is saying the right things, doing the right things, but remaining unconverted and not possessing the righteousness of Christ by grace alone through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

For 8^th century Israel, the sin of hypocrisy was seen in their religious fasting.  Israel boasted of its fasting. The people thought that God would be pleased (58:1-5). However, Jesus said, “¹⁶And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).

Isaiah instructed the people to share their food and clothes with the poor along with their relatives who were in need (58:6-10). The fruitfulness of such sincerity is expressed in Isaiah 58:11-12. “¹¹ And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. ¹² And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.”

Second, there was the neglecting of observing the Sabbath (58:13-14). Isaiah 58:13–14 says, ¹³ “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; ¹⁴ then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Apparently, even in the 8^th century B.C. there were people who chose their own pleasure, delights and idle conversations rather than taking delight in corporate worship and the preaching and hearing of God’s Word. Such is the case today. People would rather feast on hot dogs and hamburgers rather than upon God’s feast of spiritual milk and meat. It’s not that such pleasures should not be enjoyed on Sunday, but to corporately honor and worship of the LORD should also be a weekly priority.

Thirdly, there was bloodshed (59:3a). People were killing each other. Jesus said, ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. ²³ So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵ Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. ²⁶ Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:21–26).

Fourth, people were lying to each other (59:3b–4): No one cared about being truthful. Isaiah 59:3b-4 says, “…your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. ⁴No one brings suit justly, no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, conceiving mischief and begetting iniquity.”

Fifth, there was a desire to run headlong into sin and wickedness. Isaiah 59:5-8 says, “They hatch adders’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web; whoever eats their eggs dies, and the crushed egg hatches out a viper. ⁶Their webs cannot serve as clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands. ⁷Their feet run to evil, and they rush to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, desolation and destruction are in their highways. ⁸The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. Their roads they have made crooked; no one who walks in them knows peace.”

Isaiah would prophesy the consequences of such rebelliousness. WE will see what those consequences were when next we meet. Take time in prayer today to examine your heart and see if there is any parallel between the sins of Israel 2,700 years ago, and your own. If there is, repent of them immediately.

Soli deo Gloria!   

 

God’s manifests His grace upon all types of individuals. Remember, grace is His unmerited favor displayed towards those who deserve His wrath and judgment because of their sin. While mercy is God not giving sinners what they do deserve, which is judgment, grace is God giving sinners what they do not deserve, which is salvation.

In Isaiah 56:1–8; 57:1–2, 14–21, Isaiah chronicled several types of individuals for whom God blessed during the prophet’s lifetime. These were individuals and people groups which God had displayed not only His saving grace, but also His subsequent blessings.

However, Isaiah 56:9–12 and 57:3–13 chronicled the LORD’s judgment upon those who are not recipients of His grace. Isaiah identified two specific people groups facing God’s wrath. These were Israel’s religious leaders (56:9–12) and Israel’s idolaters (57:3-13).

With respect to Israel’s religious leaders in the 8^th century B.C., they were guilty of three primary sins against the LORD and His people.

First, they suffered from self-induced spiritual blindness. Isaiah 56:10 says, “His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.” The prophets, who were God’s watchmen, failed to warn Israel to repent of their sins. The prophets ignored and abdicated their responsibilities.

Second, the religious leaders were greedy and self-centered. They only followed their own desires and were intent solely for personal gain. Isaiah 56:11 says, “The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.”  Isaiah compared these false prophets and priests to ravenous dogs, only interested in satisfying their own gluttonous appetites.

Thirdly, they were materialistic drunkards. Isaiah 56:12 says, “Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.” Their inebriation completely obscured any responsibility they had for their people.

The result was God’s people were unprotected from the symbolic wild beasts of the field; the enemies of God (Jeremiah 12:1-9; Ezekiel 34:1-8). Isaiah 56:9 says, “All you beasts of the field, come to devour— all you beasts in the forest.”

At the same time, the ungodly in general were pursuing their own sins and rebelliousness against the LORD. This included wickedness (57:3-4) such as adultery and lying, idolatrous worship (57:5-11), and false righteousness (57:12-13).

John Calvin wrote that, “Wicked men grievously deceive themselves by supposing that there is no greater happiness than to have life continued to a great age, and by thus pluming themselves on their superiority to the servants of God, who die early. Being attached to the world, they likewise harden themselves by this pretense; that by nothing else than a manifestation of God’s favor towards them while others die, they continue to be safe and sound.”

The wickedness of foolish men continues to this day. May we, who are children of God, be the salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) which is needed in today’s fallen and rebellious world. Pray our godly pastors and church leaders that they will continue to be faithful watchmen.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

God’s manifests His grace upon all types of individuals. Remember, grace is His unmerited favor displayed towards those who deserve His wrath and judgment because of their sin. While mercy is God not giving sinners what they do deserve, which is judgment, grace is God giving sinners what they do not deserve, which is salvation.

In Isaiah 56:1–8; 57:1–2, 14–21, Isaiah chronicles several types of individuals for whom God blessed during the prophet’s lifetime. These were individuals and people groups which God had displayed not only His saving grace, but also His subsequent blessings. Who were these people?

First, they were those who did right before the LORD. The LORD blessed those who were righteous and who honored the weekly day of worship. Isaiah 56:1-2 says, “Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. ² Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Second, they were those who were saved Gentiles. God did not regard foreigners, or non-Jews, as second class citizens in the kingdom of God. Not only did God accept them but He also accepted their sacrifices and worship. Isaiah 56:3a, 6-8 says, “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; ⁶ “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— ⁷ these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” ⁸ The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” (See Ephesians 2:11-22).

Third, God blessed those who had physical deformities and who might otherwise have been excluded from the covenant community by the law (Exodus 12:43; Deuteronomy 23:1-8). There will be no such exclusions in God’s eternal kingdom. Isaiah 56:3b-5 says, “…and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” ⁴ For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, ⁵ I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.”

Fourth, the LORD blessed those who died young. Infant mortality, tragic circumstances resulting in death, and so-called pre-mature deaths, exist today. However, even more so in the 8^th century B.C. The LORD, in His providence, sometimes permits this to happen in order to spare the individual from future evil. Isaiah 57:1-2 says, “The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; ² he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.”  

Fifth, The LORD blessed the broken and contrite of heart. Isaiah 57:14-21 says, “¹⁴And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” ¹⁵ For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. ¹⁶ For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made. ¹⁷ Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. ¹⁸ I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, ¹⁹ creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him. ²⁰ But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. ²¹ There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”               

The LORD was gracious in the past. He remains gracious in the present and in the future. All His blessings originate from His sovereign, and gracious hand. No matter who you are, where you live, and what you have experienced, those in Christ are blessed.

Soli deo Gloria!