Category: Isaiah

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

The Prophet Isaiah wrote a song that would be sung by the redeemed when the Messiah establishes the millennial kingdom. The theme of this song is set forth in Isaiah 26:1 which says, “In that that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.” Isaiah’s song comprises chapters 26 & 27.

The prophet was picturing himself standing in the redeemed land with the believing remnant. He listens to the people express their thanks to and their confidence, trust, dependence, commitment in, and worship of, God.

The people of God sing of their Savior (26:1-15). The people thank God for His strength and peace (26:1–6), for His righteous judgment (26:7-11), and for His uniqueness (26:12-15). This is because Yahweh, unlike lifeless idols which Israel worshiped in the past, is the true and only God.

The people of God sing of their Suffering (26:16-18; 27:7-11). The people confess that their suffering was due to their sin (26:16; 27:7-11). This suffering is compared to a woman who is experiencing labor pains (26:17–18).  Israel suffered like a woman giving birth.

The people of God sing of their Salvation (26:19; 27:12-13). The people of God will experience the resurrection from the dead (26:19) and a restoration to the land (27:12-13). This is a message of hope. The Old Testament expresses faith and trust in the resurrection of the body since death, in all of its forms, is an invasion of God’s created order (Isaiah 25:8; Job 19:26; Psalm 49:15; 73:24-26; Daniel 12:1-2; Hosea 13:14).

Finally the people of God will sing of their Security (Isaiah 26:20–21; 27:1–6). The people of God will enjoy God’s protection during the Great Tribulation (26:20–21; 27:1) and productivity during the glorious Millennium (Isaiah 27:2–6).

The song’s conclusion is summarized in 27:21-13 which says, “¹² In that day from the river Euphrates to the Brook of Egypt the Lord will thresh out the grain, and you will be gleaned one by one, O people of Israel. ¹³ And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.”

Dr. Don Carson explains that, “For Israel within the homeland (vs. 12) the emphasis is on the sifting of the minority from the mass (cf. 10:20–23). For those dispersed abroad it is on the trumpet call that will summon them home (vs. 13). The NT will show the gospel’s call having already this double effect to sift and to save (1 Cor. 1:23–24), among Jew and Gentile alike. So the two verses show the Lord’s final triumph, in terms not of conquest or new creation (as it can be pictured) but simply of persons gathered in and brought home. This is, after all, the heart of the matter (cf. Rev. 7:9ff.).

Do you belong to the believing remnant which is justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone? If so, take time today to praise the Lord for this gracious gift. If not, repent of your sins and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the eternal God who became man, who was born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life, who died a substitutionary death on the cross and who rose from the dead. Forgiveness of sin and a righteous standing before God the Father is found only in Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name” (Isaiah 25:1a).  

Isaiah 24:1-27:13 is often called “the little apocalypse.” Apocalyptic literature is filled with symbolism and has as its theme cataclysmic judgment. The Prophet Isaiah heralded to the people of God, along with pagans, that the Day of the LORD would bring judgment on the created world along with the fullness of salvation for the saints.

Isaiah 24 focuses on God’s overthrow of the corrupted earth. Isaiah 25 focuses on God’s overthrow of death.

The Prophet Isaiah worships and praises God for His many blessings. These include the following.

Isaiah praised God for His faithfulness (25:1): “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” God promises wonderful things, and He accomplishes them.

Isaiah praised God for His salvation of the Gentiles (25:2–3): “For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the foreigners’ palace is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt. ³ Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.” Strong nations will declare his glory, and ruthless nations will adore him.

Isaiah praised God for His mercy (25:4–5): “⁴ For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,        ⁵ like heat in a dry place. You subdue the noise of the foreigners; as heat by the shade of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is put down.” The LORD is kind to the poor and needy.

Isaiah praised God for His provision (25:6–7): “⁶ On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. ⁷ And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.” The LORD will spread a feast for everyone and will remove the cloud of gloom hanging over the earth.

Isaiah praised God for His victory over death (25:8): “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.” The LORD will swallow up death forever.

Isaiah praised God for His restoration of Israel (25:9): “It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Israel will rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah praised God for His judgment of His enemies (25:10–12): “¹⁰ For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill. ¹¹    And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim, but the Lord will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands. ¹² And the high fortifications of his walls he will bring down, lay low, and cast to the ground, to the dust.” God will destroy the Moabites and will end their evil works.

What Isaiah praised God for in the 8^th century B.C., I can praise God for in the 21^st century A.D. For that matter, so can you. May we do so today.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“On that day the Lord will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth” (Isaiah 24:21).

Isaiah 24:1-27:13 is often called “the little apocalypse.” Apocalyptic literature is filled with symbolism and has as its theme cataclysmic judgment. Other examples of apocalyptic literature in the Scriptures include the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation.

The Prophet Isaiah heralded to the people of God, along with pagans, that the Day of the LORD would bring judgment on the created world along with the fullness of salvation for the saints.

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains that, “God’s plan of redemption includes restoration from exile, the blessings of Christ in the church, and the establishment of God’s kingdom in all nations.”

Isaiah 24 focuses on God’s overthrow of the corrupted earth. While the immediate context here may refer to the devastation of Judah following the Babylonian captivity, it would seem to have its ultimate fulfillment during the Great Tribulation immediately prior to the return of Jesus Christ.

The language the prophet used is extensive and describes complete and utter devastation for the earth. God himself will lay waste to the entire earth (24:1): The earth will become a great wasteland, and the people will be scattered. All people and fallen angels will be judged (24:2–4, 21–22): No one will be spared from God’s wrath, and the fallen angels will be put in prison. Very few will survive (24:6): A curse will consume the earth and its people, who will be destroyed by fire. Happiness will no longer exist (24:7–13): All joy in life will be gone.

Additionally, evil and treachery will be everywhere (24:16b–18): People possessed by sheer terror will flee from one danger only to be confronted with something even more horrifying. The earth will stagger like a drunkard (24:19–20): It will fall and collapse like a tent, unable to rise again because of the weight of its sins.

Why does such devastating judgment occur (24:5)? It is because humanity has twisted the laws of God and has broken His holy commands (Romans 1:18-32). Thus, Isaiah 24 fits well with other portions of Scripture about the wars between human powers and between God and the nations that accompany the last days (Ezek. 38:1–39:20; Rev. 16:12–16).

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains that, “Human sin affects not only men and women but also the rest of creation itself, and it is groaning in longing for release from death and decay (Gen. 3:17–18; Rom. 8:20–23). Before this release occurs, however, the creation must be judged. The results of this judgment are likened to an olive tree and grapevines after the harvest (Isa. 24:13). Just as precious few olives and grapes are left on the plants at the end of the harvest, only a few parts of the earth will remain. This is likely a reference to the remnant that will survive judgment, a faithful people who will rejoice in the Lord’s verdict against unrighteousness (vv. 14–16). God’s final judgment will be for His people as much as it is against sin and death. The faithful remnant will be vindicated as our Creator judges thoroughly and righteously, even toppling those who hold the most power among creatures—the kings of the earth and the rebellious members of the heavenly host (vv. 21–23). God will set all things right for His children, which means bringing an end to Satan and his demonic horde (Rev. 20:7–10).”

 We are closer to the Day of Judgment today then we were yesterday, and we will be even closer to it tomorrow. Are you ready to escape that great day by resting in Christ’s righteousness alone? The only hope anyone has to escape such judgment is to repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord (Romans 3:21-26). Have you?

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 13-23 is an extended series of oracles by God, which are revealed through the Prophet Isaiah. There are two series of oracles.

The first series of messages are found in chapters 13-20. We have already examined the oracle against the nation of Babylon. Included in this series of judgments from God upon pagan nations are the ancient empires of Assyria (14:24-27), Philistia (14:28-32), Moab (15-16), Damascus and Ethiopia (17-18), and Egypt (19-20).

The second series of oracles against the nations are in chapters 21-23. Included in this series of judgments from God upon pagan nations are the ancient empires of Babylon (21:1-10), Edom (21:11-12), Arabia (21:13-17), and Tyre (23). Also included in this second series is an oracle against the ancient City of Jerusalem (22).

One of the things all these nations had in common was a hatred for God’s people. They were also nations which the LORD used in order to discipline His covenant people, Israel. This would be a fulfillment of God’s curses and blessings upon His people which He shared through Moses (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-28).

An interesting fact is the LORD’s inclusion of Jerusalem within this series of oracles against pagan nations. This can be explained by Jerusalem’s association with Babylon. The leaders and inhabitants of Jerusalem trusted Babylon, instead of the LORD, during the period of Assyria’s dominance within the region. Jerusalem trusted in a human power rather than God’s sovereignty.

Jerusalem’s lack of trust in the LORD is summarized in Isaiah 22:5-11. “⁵ For the Lord God of hosts has a day of tumult and trampling and confusion in the valley of vision, a battering down of walls and a shouting to the mountains. ⁶ And Elam bore the quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. ⁷ Your choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the horsemen took their stand at the gates. ⁸ He has taken away the covering of Judah. In that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest, ⁹ and you saw that the breaches of the city of David were many. You collected the waters of the lower pool, ¹⁰ and you counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. ¹¹ You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago.”

What was true for the pagan nations of antiquity, remains so for nations which exist today. No one can change the LORD’s plans or avoid His judgment. This is not only true for the pagan nations, but also true for God’s people.

May everything which has breath, praise the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!  

 

^“You will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:” (Isaiah 14:4a)

Isaiah 14:1-4a introduces another near and far fulfillment oracle concerning the restoration of God’s people and the judgment upon God’s enemies. While today’s passage does in fact refer to Judah’s return to the Promised Land following their 70 year captivity in Babylon (2 Chronicles 36), it also focuses upon the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the fall of the great harlot Babylon at the conclusion of the tribulation (Revelation 18:1-20:3).

It must be understood that this oracle contained in Isaiah 14 was prophetic for the prophet, even as it is primarily historical for believers today. However, there remains a prophetical element in the oracle as it relates to the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:1-3).

Isaiah heralded to the citizens of Judah that they were to take up a taunt against the king of Babylon. Even though the downfall of the king, along with Judah’s freedom from the king’s rule, was still future, God’s deliverance of His people was assured. So also was God’s judgment upon His enemies (Isaiah 14:4b-21).

The word taunt means a saying, a proverb of wisdom, an oracle or a parable. Taunt could also refer to a song to be sung by a freed people from a fearful king by a merciful God.

There is an ongoing debate as to who is the king of Babylon. Historically, some expositors propose that it was Sennacherib of Assyria (705–681). There are interesting parallels between the description of the tyrant in Isaiah 14 and the curse against Sennacherib in Isaiah 37:21–29. However, still others believe the king is either Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1-4) or Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon before it fell to the Medes and the Persians (Daniel 5). Still others believe the title refers to the final Antichrist who will rule not only Babylon but the entire world (Revelation 17:1-18). Then there are those who teach that Isaiah 14:12-14 describes Satan’s fall (Luke 10:18; Revelations 12:8-10). Finally, the title could refer to any ruler who represents oppressive human power.  

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains that, “In that day, the oppressed people of God would be saved so definitively that they could taunt the once-mighty king of Babylon (Isa. 14:3–4). Isaiah does not name the king, so he likely has no specific individual in mind. The prophecy could refer to any king of Babylon or even Assyria, for “the king of Babylon” is an ambiguous phrase. Babylon was the capital of the Babylonian Empire, but the city fell under Assyrian rule at times. If there is no specific king in view, the passage is designed to give the ancient people of God hope no matter when they lived. Any faithful child of Jacob could read this passage and know for certain that the enemies of God’s people would be destroyed one day.”

 “Although we do not know if the passage refers to a specific king such as Sennacherib or Nebuchadnezzar, it is clear that this text is not speaking directly of the devil. Based on Luke 10:18 and Revelation 12:7–9, which describe the fall of Satan, many thinkers in church history have believed that the fallen Day Star in Isaiah 14:12–21 is the devil. Even though a specific king is not mentioned, the prophet still has a human ruler in view (vv. 3–4), so Isaiah was not talking about the Enemy when he gave this prophecy. Nevertheless, we will not be too hard on church history. Even we might draw an indirect analogy between the fall of the prideful ruler of Babylon and the fall of Satan from grace.”

 Take note of Isaiah 14:22. It says, “I will rise up against them,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, descendants and posterity,” declares the Lord.”  God’s judgment upon His enemies, and the enemies of His people, is sure and certain.

In today’s passage, the king of Babylon is denied burial, and his corpse is left out in the open (Isa. 14:18–20b). In the ancient Middle East, this was the most shameful thing that could happen to a person, especially a king. God’s message through the prophet was clear: When the Lord defeats His enemies, it is full and final. Such is our hope today. May each of us rest in this confident assurance.

Soli deo Gloria!

                                                                                                        

 

“For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. ² And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them in the Lord’s land as male and female slaves. They will take captive those who were their captors, and rule over those who oppressed them.  ³When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, ⁴ you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:” (Isaiah 14:1-4a)

Isaiah 14:1-4a introduces another near and far fulfillment oracle concerning the restoration of God’s people and the judgment upon God’s enemies. While today’s passage does in fact refer to Judah’s return to the Promised Land following their 70 year captivity in Babylon (2 Chronicles 36), it also focuses upon the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the fall of the great harlot Babylon at the conclusion of the tribulation (Revelation 18:1-20:3).  

One commentator writes, “The prophet looked at the final Babylon at the end of the tribulation. The language is that which characterizes conditions during the millennial kingdom after the judgment of the final Babylon. The destruction of future Babylon is integrally connected with the deliverance of Israel from bondage. Babylon must perish so that the Lord may exalt his people.”  

The Millennial Kingdom of Christ will feature a role reversal. Instead of Israel being ruled by the nations, Israel will rule over nations who once dominated them.

The word rest, 14:3, refers to being settled or to settle down. Ultimately, this will be fulfilled during the Millennial Kingdom (Acts 3:19-21). God will establish Israel within its rightful borders.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “God’s choosing of Israel (and of Judah, Jerusalem, David, and Solomon) is an important Old Testament theme (cf. Deut. 7:6), especially in 1 and 2 Chronicles and the Psalms (1 Chron. 16:13; 28:4–5, 10; 29:1; 2 Chron. 6:6, 34, 38; 7:12; 12:13; 33:7; Pss. 33:12; 47:4; 78:68, 70; 89:3; 105:6, 43; 106:5; 132:13; 135:4). The fact that non-Israelites (aliens) will join Israel is also a recurring theme in Scripture (Isa. 56:6; 60:10; 61:5). Israel’s role will be reversed (14:2): rather than Israel being exiled as captives in other nations, other nations will serve Israel. Israel will be prominent.”

Dr. R.C. Sproul explains that, “Babylon and Assyria, said Isaiah during the eighth century BC, would be rods of the Lord’s wrath against His people, taking them into exile because of their impenitence (Isa. 1; 8:1–10; 9:8–21; 39). Yet as we have seen, that would not be the end of Jacob’s children. The devastators of Israel and Judah would be judged (chap. 13). Moreover, as today’s passage reveals, God would again choose His people as in Moses’ day. Incredibly, sojourners—the Gentile nations—would “attach themselves to the house of Jacob.” Gentiles would bow to Yahweh, the one true God and covenant Lord of Israel, and the world would finally enjoy the Abrahamic blessing (Isa. 14:1–2; see Gen. 12:1–3).

Today, Jesus Christ is putting all His and our enemies under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25), and one day no creature will be able to doubt that He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Soli deo Gloria!              

 

“The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw” (Isaiah 13:1)

The Old Testament prophet, much like today’s New Testament pastor, was to be a herald of God’s truth. The prophet was never at liberty to minimize God’s blessings of judgments. He was to announce, in the God sourced and directed oracle, what it was that the LORD wanted the people to know. Whether they be sinners or saints, God has always chosen to reveal Himself and His will to people.

Such is the case with Isaiah 13. It is an oracle or a pronouncement. It concerns the ancient Kingdom of Babylon. The title Babylon not only refers to the ancient city but also the E. Mediterranean Empire, which was located in present day Iraq. It is an oracle concerning Babylon which the Prophet Isaiah received information about from God. The chapter is filled with imagery and apocryphal language.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments that, “Isaiah 13 uses astronomical imagery (v. 10) to predict Babylon’s fall to the Medes (v. 17), who were later conquered by the Persians. These were no small events, it was a crisis of great proportions when one empire fell to another in the ancient world. One’s whole way of life might change: a new religion might be imposed on the conquered nation; the tax system would be different; no one knew how the new empire would treat its new citizens. The changing of empires was epoch-making; consequently, it might feel as if the very universe itself was out of whack at such times, and the people living in these circumstances used vivid images, like those in Isaiah, to convey this reality”. 

The Old Testament clearly presents the startling revelation that God chose to use the pagan nation of Babylon to bring judgment upon the southern kingdom of Judah in the 7^th century B.C. (2 Chronicles 36; Habakkuk 1-3; Daniel 1). However, Isaiah 13 also reveals that as God chose Babylon to punish Judah for its sin, He would also use the Medes and the Persians to punish Babylon for their own sin (Isaiah 45:1-2l; Daniel 5).

The LORD’s judgment upon Babylon was not only prophesied by Isaiah, but also by the Prophets Jeremiah (50-51) and Habakkuk (2:6-17). However, the fulfillment of this prophecy in history foreshadows a greater fulfillment yet future when God will conquer the final pagan nation known as Babylon (Revelation 18) by the personal invasion by the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Dr. Don Carson writes, “The Medes (Isaiah 13:17), as the major partner in Cyrus’s Medo-Persian kingdom, were destined to conquer Babylon under Cyrus in 539 bc. Their military prowess (17–18), which overthrew the Babylonian Empire, was not needed against the city itself, taken without a struggle. This was, however the beginning of the end for Babylon. Vs 19–22 telescope a decline which became irreversible when Seleucus Nicator abandoned the city in the late fourth century bc to build his new capital Seleucia, 40 miles (64 km) away. Even so, its desertion was not total until the second century ad. The creatures of vs 21–22 (cf. 14:23; 34:11–15; but 35:7) are not all identifiable, but are evidently sinister and ceremonially unclean. Hence, ‘satyrs’ (a kind of demon; cf. Lv. 17:7) is a more likely translation in v 21 than wild goats, since goats were ritually clean. The contrast between the jewel of kingdoms (19) and this ‘haunt for every evil spirit, … every unclean and detestable bird’ (Rev. 18:2) reappears in the final overthrow of the ungodly world in Rev. 18, pictured as Babylon—the world whose glory Satan offered to Jesus in Mt. 4:8–9.”

Isaiah 13 is a terrifying chapter depicting the inevitable judgment upon sin by the one, true holy God of the universe. Even more terrifying is that what occurred in a local region in history, prefigures a future judgment which will be worldwide. Take time today to praise the LORD for saving your soul from His judgment. Pray that He will use you today to share the glorious truth of the Gospel to those who are in need of His mercy and grace.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. ² “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” ³ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. ⁴ And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. ⁵ “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. ⁶ Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 12:1-6)

Isaiah 12:1-6 is another song by the prophet. I’m coming to the realization that Isaiah was a prolific songwriter and musician along with being a great prophet.

In actuality, Isaiah 12 contains two songs of praise (vs. 1-3 and vs. 4-6). Both songs are earthly counterparts to the heavenly doxologies found in Revelation 4, 5 and 19:6-8. Vs. 1-3 contain indicatives or realities concerning our covenant relationship with God. Vs. 4-6 contain imperatives or our responsibilities of praising and giving thanks to God.

The song in Isaiah 12:1-3 begins in vs. 1 with a profession of praise because God has withdrawn His anger away from His people. This is ultimately because of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ who bore the wrath of God on behalf of sinners while on the cross (Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:31; I John 2:1-2; 4:7-11). This is applied to the sinner’s behalf by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Otherwise, God’s anger remains.

Isaiah 12:2 says that not only does God provide salvation from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin, but He is personally our salvation. He is the LORD God: Yahweh Elohim. This double name emphasizes His covenant keeping faithfulness. It is because God is trustworthy, dependable and worthy of our worship that each believer in Christ can continually trust in, depend upon, commit to and worship this one, true, covenant keeping God.

Isaiah 12:3 draws upon a familiar image of salvation: water from the well. Isaiah’s readers would have understood the importance of wells filled with life sustaining water. They could also recall how God provided water for their ancestors in the Wilderness (Exodus 17:1-7). This image is properly applied to the satisfaction of an individual’s spiritual thirst of soul. This could very well be the passage Jesus was thinking of when He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

Isaiah 12:4 emphasizes the importance of giving thanks. In fact, God commands the giving of thanks by each believer. Additionally, the believer is to call or proclaim the name of the LORD among the people so that He will be exalted.

Isaiah 12:5 stresses the importance of singing praises to the LORD and making known all which He has done. Concerning the command to sing to, and about, the LORD, hymn writer Keith Getty explains that. “We do not sing because we have to. We sing because we love to.”

Isaiah 12:6 places great importance regarding the command of making a loud noise and singing with great joy or a loud and ringing cry about our LORD. This is because God is great. He is the Holy One of Israel. Believers are to sing with loud voices about the greatness of God.

Let me encourage you to memorize Isaiah 12, or at least to meditate upon it daily. May this chapter resound within your being about the importance of filling your mind, emotions and will with the thoughts of God and expressing these thoughts by singing praises to Him and about Him.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

¹⁰ In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. ¹¹ In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea” (Isaiah 11:10-11).

Within biblical prophecy, there is a concept known as near fulfillment and ultimate fulfillment. This concept refers to events which not only are initially fulfilled in the past, but which also have a greater fulfillment in the prophetic future. Such is the case with Isaiah 11:10-16.

The near fulfillment of which the Prophet Isaiah speaks is in two stages. First, the prophet refers to Judah’s return to the Promised Land following its exodus from their 490 year Egyptian captivity (Exodus 14:26-29). Second, he refers to Judah’s return of Jerusalem after its 70 year captivity to the Babylonians (2 Chronicles 36:1-21; Isaiah 11:12-16). The ultimate fulfillment will be when the LORD gathers true Israel from its worldwide dispersion (Isaiah 51:1-11) during the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6).

Dr. Walvoord explains that, “Israel will have a special place in the kingdom because of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15:18–21; 17:7–8; 22:17–18), the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:16), and the New Covenant (Jer. 31:33–34). But people in other nations will also benefit from the kingdom. The Messiah, the Root of Jesse (cf. “stump of Jesse,” Isa. 11:1), will be a means of rallying for the nations (cf. v. 12; Zech. 14:9, 16). Jesus Himself made the same point that many people from outside Israel will have a part in God’s kingdom (Luke 13:29). God had promised Abraham that through his line all peoples on the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:3).”

 The LORD not only controls the events in the past, but also events which are occurring in the present as well as in the future. The LORD is sovereign over all things, including the destiny of His people. Take comfort today in knowing that everything is in the LORD’s hands. This includes not only the near, but also the far.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

⁶ The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. ⁷ The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. ⁹ They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6-9)

When Jesus Christ rules and reign on earth during the Millennium, all enmity among men, among animals, ravenous or otherwise, including the enmity between animals and humans will cease. This is why Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

The Millennium is a Biblical term (taken from the Latin word meaning “a thousand”) referring to the thousand- year reign of Christ. The primary biblical context for the doctrine of the millennium is found in Revelation 20:1–6 (where the Greek word for thousand is used five times). The idea of a thousand-year reign may also be supported by passages such as Acts 3:19–21 and 1 Corinthians 15:23–26, which speak of a future restoration and reign of Christ.

Isaiah specifically describes the Lord’s reign on earth as a time in which the wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the lion will be with the calf. Wild animals will dwell with domesticated animals. All will do so in perfect harmony and tranquility. The reason for this peace and harmony is because God will lift the curse He placed upon the earth following Adam’s sin (Genesis 3:1-19).

Isaiah continued by saying that a little child shall lead them, referring to the previously mentioned animals. A small and seemingly insignificant adolescent will, in contrast, guide these powerful beasts.

The prophet continues by further describing the character of the Millennium as follows: “⁷ The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den” (Isaiah 11:7-8).

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Many Bible students interpret these verses nonliterally, because they suppose such changes in the animal world are not possible. However, because the Messiah is “God [is] with us” (7:14) and He will be dwelling with His people, it need not be difficult to envision these changes in nature. Though the curse of sin will be removed to some extent it will not be totally removed until the end of the millennial kingdom when finally death will be abolished (Rev. 20:14).”

Why does this harmony in creation occur? It is because “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). At the beginning of the Millennium, everyone will know the Lord when He fulfills the New Covenant.

Dr. Walvoord further explains that, “The reason such tranquility is possible is that all the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isa. 11:9; cf. Jer. 31:34; Hab. 2:14). This means more than people knowing intellectually about the Lord. The idea is that people everywhere will live according to God’s principles and Word. Animals will be affected, as well. This will occur in the Millennium when the Messiah will be reigning (Isa. 9:6–7), Jerusalem will have prominence in the world (2:2), and Judah and Israel will be regathered to the land in belief and will be living according to the New Covenant. The Millennium can hardly be in existence now since these factors do not characterize the present age.”

Dr. Walvoord concludes by saying, “Israel will have a special place in the kingdom because of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15:18–21; 17:7–8; 22:17–18), the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:16), and the New Covenant (Jer. 31:33–34). But people in other nations will also benefit from the kingdom. The Messiah, the Root of Jesse (cf. “stump of Jesse,” Isa. 11:1), will be a means of rallying for the nations (cf. v. 12; Zech. 14:9, 16). Jesus Himself made the same point that many people from outside Israel will have a part in God’s kingdom (Luke 13:29). God had promised Abraham that through his line all peoples on the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:3).”

Is Jesus Christ your King? The kingdom is not only the not yet, but also the now. He must rule and reign over your soul because He is both Savior and Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!