Isaiah 66:12-24 NIV
For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.
See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the Lord. “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,” declares the Lord.
“And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory. “I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord —on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels.
And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the Lord. “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
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The latter half of Isaiah 66 promises restoration for Jerusalem, the return of her children scattered among the nations, and the inclusion of the gentiles amongst God's holy people. This good news includes further prophecies of judgement against God's enemies. Judgement is terrifying news for the rebellious whose sin catches up with them, but comforting to those who love the Lord and trust in His mercy. The ultimate victory of God is marked by the appearance of new heavens and a new earth, with the good reputation of God's people enduring forever.
The renewal of Jerusalem will see peace and wealth flowing like a river into the city. The people will be comforted like a mother comforts her baby. They will rejoice and flourish under the nurturing care of the Lord. But God's enemies will suffer His fury. Instead of a refreshing river of peace, they will be consumed by the fires of judgement. All people will be judged, the righteous and the wicked. Many will perish, especially the idolaters who follow pagan ways, eating unclean animals and practicing detestable sexual rites.
Because of the idolatry among the Israelites, God will gather a new community of people. God will send out emissaries from Jerusalem to foreign lands, to people who have never heard of the name of the Lord. In those foreign lands are exiled Israelites. These messengers will claim the good news about God and the children of Israel, and many Gentiles, will come to Jerusalem to worship and serve the Lord.
Remarkably some of those Gentiles will be appointed as priests and Levites! This is unheard of because only sons of Aaron are allowed to be priests. Only those belonging to the Israelite tribe of Levi may serve at the temple. Now God is breaking His own law! Could this be a prophecy about the church of Jesus Christ, the people of the new covenant? For in Christ there is no Jew or gentile, slave or free, man or woman, rich or poor. All are one in Jesus.
The fame and good reputation of this new community will reach the ends of the earth and last forever. All mankind will eventually come to worship the Lord, the God of Israel and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And these blessed holy ones will look out beyond the walls of the New Jerusalem and see the dead bodies of the Lord's enemies piled up and decaying. The worms will never die and the fire will never go out, for there will be a great amount of human refuse to devour outside of God's new community.
It's not a pleasant way to end a prophecy, much less the book of Isaiah's collected oracles. Yet this horrid picture is meant to be good news for those who long for the righteousness of God to prevail, unimpeded by evil. The rotting corpses of the wicked is a stark symbol of God's final victory over sin and evil. In the new creation there will be no evildoers, or even causes to do evil. Can you imagine living in such a time? Not one person will have even the first inclination to do evil. There will be utter purity and innocence, everlasting peace and plenty. That's something I can celebrate, even if I loathe the sight of the burning bodies of God's enemies.
The one verse that caused me to think of the church of Jesus Christ in this chapter was Isaiah 66:19.
“I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations.
What sign will God set among His messengers who go to the far away lands to seek the lost children of Israel and attract the pagan nations to the Lord? God is gathering people of all nations and languages to come and see His glory. Did not Jesus use the same invitation, "Come and see", to His first disciples? (John 1:39) The sign is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man. The sign is the perfect sinless life of Jesus, His teachings and example, His sacrificial death and resurrection. This is the good news, the gospel which God's sent ones will proclaim.
Did you know one interpretation of the word apostle means "sent ones"? The apostle Paul was sent by the Lord to Lydia to proclaim the gospel, which makes the lost of nations mentioned in Isaiah 66:19. Others were sent north, south, east and west to spread the word about Jesus. To the ends of the earth God sends His messengers until the whole world is filled with the knowledge of God. In the fullness of time God will bring this new community to completion and life will seem like it is brand new. Life will be brand new, for we will be transformed by grace from the inside out. Righteousness will last forever and evil will never be heard of again.
Search your heart. Is this picture of the future not your deepest desire? Don't you long for this new creation to come? It has already begun in the resurrection of Jesus. Those who believe receive the Holy Spirit and are made new within. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in you. Death defying, evil denying power is yours in limitless supply when you lean on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. With your inner life transformed, your outer life will reflect the change. All your relationships will be blessed with His peace and love, and the world will grow that much closer to what God has planned.
So let it be!
Monday, January 25, 2016
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Isaiah 66:1-11
Isaiah 66:1-11 NIV
This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”
Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame. Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the Lord repaying his enemies all they deserve.
“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”
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Isaiah 66 is the last chapter of the prophet's writings. This chapter has two maybe three purposes. The first is to confront idolatry, but idolatry is not just a matter of practice. It's a matter of the heart. Second is to encourage the faithful marginalized among unfaithful Israel. The possible other purpose of this chapter is to imply the church of Jesus Christ, for God promises to bring gentiles to praise His name and join them with Israel, making some to be priests and Levites as well.
I'm only going to address the first eleven verses out of the twenty-four in Isaiah 66 in this reflection. Considering that this material is supposed to be written after the exile when Israelites return home to Jerusalem in ruin, there is a lot of material in Third Isaiah (Isaiah 56-66) that is about the restoration of the city and the nation. This portion of Isaiah 66 is no different. What is puzzling is the talk of wrath upon the temple. I can only assume that while the tense seems in the present, as if the destruction of the temple is happening now, it really is just a retelling of what went down some 50-70, maybe even 100 years before. The temple was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. Cyrus the Persian ruler sent the first exiles home in 538 BC. But many Jews remained in Babylon and other parts of the Persian empire. The return to Jerusalem lasted over 100 years! Rebuilding the second temple began in 516 BC. The walls of Jerusalem were not rebuilt until 445 BC! So you can imagine the grief of the returning exiles and how hard it was for them to live with their city in ruin and the temple a portion of what it once was. It wasn't until 19 BC, when Herod the Great funded a major renovation and expansion of the temple, that the it became an architectural wonder of the middle east. Considering all this the need to encourage the returning exiles was particularly important.
If the temple lies in ruin and rebuilding begins ever so slowly, the opening to Isaiah 66 is meant to encourage. Without the temple how can they serve God and seek His blessings? God answers, "I don't need a temple. I don't need sacrifices. What I want from you is humble obedience to my righteous commands and you will have my blessing." I wish the prophet put it that clearly, but instead he uses ironic speech to communicate the idea. God cannot be housed in a temple. That is the first point. So there's no reason to be worried about whether God can be with them without a temple. God set them free through Cyrus the Great. God sent them prophets to carry His messages to the people. God gave them Zerubbabel, a son of David, to be their governor. Is this not proof enough that the Lord is with them?
Then the Lord says through Isaiah, "I don't want sacrifices or incense or grain offerings. I want your loyalty." So even though temple sacrifices began with the laying of the foundation of the second temple, God was not pleased. Looking at the history recorded in Nehemiah and Ezra we see that Israel's returning exiles were still not keeping the law. They performed religious ceremonies, but they weren't keeping true to all of God's righteous laws. For instance there were some who were marrying with foreign wives. The tithes to fund temple personnel weren't being paid. Levites left the temple to go work the land to support themselves. Some gentile politicians who had built power in the area during the exile held living quarters in the temple itself! Priests got drunk and lazy. In such a state your can understand why the Lord speaks so negatively about the sacrifices and offerings of the temple. Whatever they are doing is useless because their hearts do not belong to the Lord. It is false worship.
This message was to be an encouragement to the faithful within Jerusalem. Though they are mocked by the arrogant, God will crush His enemies in Jerusalem and the temple. He will purify the city and make it holy again. The righteous need not wait much longer for the Lord to do as He has promised. Before a mother goes into labor the baby is born. That's a way of saying that the Lord will bring Jerusalem back to holiness and prosperity very soon, sooner than the exiles might think.
Do you long for better days? Do you wish your country to return to the Lord? Do you suffer mockery for your faithfulness to the Lord? Then let this word give you hope. God is with you. God is working His redemptive plan. You are part of God's story. Allow faith to rebuild you. Let your heart be His temple and offer your humble service as a sacrifice pleasing to the Lord.
This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”
Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame. Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the Lord repaying his enemies all they deserve.
“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 66 is the last chapter of the prophet's writings. This chapter has two maybe three purposes. The first is to confront idolatry, but idolatry is not just a matter of practice. It's a matter of the heart. Second is to encourage the faithful marginalized among unfaithful Israel. The possible other purpose of this chapter is to imply the church of Jesus Christ, for God promises to bring gentiles to praise His name and join them with Israel, making some to be priests and Levites as well.
I'm only going to address the first eleven verses out of the twenty-four in Isaiah 66 in this reflection. Considering that this material is supposed to be written after the exile when Israelites return home to Jerusalem in ruin, there is a lot of material in Third Isaiah (Isaiah 56-66) that is about the restoration of the city and the nation. This portion of Isaiah 66 is no different. What is puzzling is the talk of wrath upon the temple. I can only assume that while the tense seems in the present, as if the destruction of the temple is happening now, it really is just a retelling of what went down some 50-70, maybe even 100 years before. The temple was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. Cyrus the Persian ruler sent the first exiles home in 538 BC. But many Jews remained in Babylon and other parts of the Persian empire. The return to Jerusalem lasted over 100 years! Rebuilding the second temple began in 516 BC. The walls of Jerusalem were not rebuilt until 445 BC! So you can imagine the grief of the returning exiles and how hard it was for them to live with their city in ruin and the temple a portion of what it once was. It wasn't until 19 BC, when Herod the Great funded a major renovation and expansion of the temple, that the it became an architectural wonder of the middle east. Considering all this the need to encourage the returning exiles was particularly important.
If the temple lies in ruin and rebuilding begins ever so slowly, the opening to Isaiah 66 is meant to encourage. Without the temple how can they serve God and seek His blessings? God answers, "I don't need a temple. I don't need sacrifices. What I want from you is humble obedience to my righteous commands and you will have my blessing." I wish the prophet put it that clearly, but instead he uses ironic speech to communicate the idea. God cannot be housed in a temple. That is the first point. So there's no reason to be worried about whether God can be with them without a temple. God set them free through Cyrus the Great. God sent them prophets to carry His messages to the people. God gave them Zerubbabel, a son of David, to be their governor. Is this not proof enough that the Lord is with them?
Then the Lord says through Isaiah, "I don't want sacrifices or incense or grain offerings. I want your loyalty." So even though temple sacrifices began with the laying of the foundation of the second temple, God was not pleased. Looking at the history recorded in Nehemiah and Ezra we see that Israel's returning exiles were still not keeping the law. They performed religious ceremonies, but they weren't keeping true to all of God's righteous laws. For instance there were some who were marrying with foreign wives. The tithes to fund temple personnel weren't being paid. Levites left the temple to go work the land to support themselves. Some gentile politicians who had built power in the area during the exile held living quarters in the temple itself! Priests got drunk and lazy. In such a state your can understand why the Lord speaks so negatively about the sacrifices and offerings of the temple. Whatever they are doing is useless because their hearts do not belong to the Lord. It is false worship.
This message was to be an encouragement to the faithful within Jerusalem. Though they are mocked by the arrogant, God will crush His enemies in Jerusalem and the temple. He will purify the city and make it holy again. The righteous need not wait much longer for the Lord to do as He has promised. Before a mother goes into labor the baby is born. That's a way of saying that the Lord will bring Jerusalem back to holiness and prosperity very soon, sooner than the exiles might think.
Do you long for better days? Do you wish your country to return to the Lord? Do you suffer mockery for your faithfulness to the Lord? Then let this word give you hope. God is with you. God is working His redemptive plan. You are part of God's story. Allow faith to rebuild you. Let your heart be His temple and offer your humble service as a sacrifice pleasing to the Lord.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Isaiah 65:17-25
Isaiah 65:17-25 NIV
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.
They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.
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God continues to respond to Israel's pleas for mercy. He tells them of how he will make Jerusalem new. God will make all things new, both heaven and earth. The pain of the past will not even come to mind, for the newness of life will be overwhelmingly satisfying. There will be no tears or grief. Long life will be enjoyed by God's people. God will delight in them and make them a joy. They will not have to worry about thieves, bandits, or raiding armies taking away their land and wealth. They will enjoy the work of their hands. They will be a people blessed by The Lord.
One verse that really grabbed me was Isaiah 65:24.
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
The intimacy revealed in this verse is beautiful. God will not seen as far away and unable to hear their needs expressed. Like a married couple anticipates the needs of the other, finishing each other's sentences, God will answer His people's prayers before their prayers are finished. God knows His people so intimately, and is so close to them, that their every need will be fulfilled in the new Jerusalem.
The peace that will prevail over the city is described in amazing terms. The wolf will eat alongside a lamb and the lamb will not be devoured. The lion will eat straw and leave the ox unmolested. Justice will prevail for the serpent, the devil and all who follow his lies, will lick the dust as it was foretold in Genesis 3:14. No evil or evildoers will enter the new Jerusalem. The city will be free to live in utter holiness and complete righteousness.
Is this picture alluring to you? Do you desire to live unimpeded a life of holiness? Do you wish you could always please God with your choices? God has promised to make it so. Continue in your hope and move in God's direction. Know the Lord will fulfill all His promises for the new heavens and earth. May you be granted entry to the New Jerusalem in the name of Jesus Christ.
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.
They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.
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God continues to respond to Israel's pleas for mercy. He tells them of how he will make Jerusalem new. God will make all things new, both heaven and earth. The pain of the past will not even come to mind, for the newness of life will be overwhelmingly satisfying. There will be no tears or grief. Long life will be enjoyed by God's people. God will delight in them and make them a joy. They will not have to worry about thieves, bandits, or raiding armies taking away their land and wealth. They will enjoy the work of their hands. They will be a people blessed by The Lord.
One verse that really grabbed me was Isaiah 65:24.
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
The intimacy revealed in this verse is beautiful. God will not seen as far away and unable to hear their needs expressed. Like a married couple anticipates the needs of the other, finishing each other's sentences, God will answer His people's prayers before their prayers are finished. God knows His people so intimately, and is so close to them, that their every need will be fulfilled in the new Jerusalem.
The peace that will prevail over the city is described in amazing terms. The wolf will eat alongside a lamb and the lamb will not be devoured. The lion will eat straw and leave the ox unmolested. Justice will prevail for the serpent, the devil and all who follow his lies, will lick the dust as it was foretold in Genesis 3:14. No evil or evildoers will enter the new Jerusalem. The city will be free to live in utter holiness and complete righteousness.
Is this picture alluring to you? Do you desire to live unimpeded a life of holiness? Do you wish you could always please God with your choices? God has promised to make it so. Continue in your hope and move in God's direction. Know the Lord will fulfill all His promises for the new heavens and earth. May you be granted entry to the New Jerusalem in the name of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Isaiah 63:1-17
Isaiah 63:1-17 NIV
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.”
Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?
“I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble; like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.
Look down from heaven and see, from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us. But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. Why, Lord, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance.
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Isaiah 63 begins with God telling of His conquest of pagan nations. His clothing is splattered in their blood as if He's been treading in a winepress. The enemies of Israel have been conquered by the might of God. Israel did not save themselves. No one helped God set them free. By His own power, the Lord freed the exiles from their captivity. The time was ripe for the redemption of His wayward people.
Then, at verse 7, Isaiah begins in the voice of the Israelites telling their story. It is part praise, part confession, and part intercession. This section of Isaiah lasts for three chapters. The latter portion of Isaiah 63 and 64 are in the voice of Israel calling God to save them. Isaiah 65 is God's answer.
As this section of Isaiah begins, it sounds like a parent speaking to a child, teaching about Israel's history with their God. They celebrate God's compassion and kindness as He chose Israel to be His own. God thought to Himself, "Surely this people will obey me." He saw their potential through the faith of Abraham and chose them for Himself. And so their great relationship began. When they hurt, God hurt. He was with them and carried them, like a father carries his little child close to his heart.
But they grieved God's heart, so He became their enemy. In exile this wayward people, these rebels, remembered how God saved their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. God split the Red Sea for them and saved them from the wrath of Pharaoh. He led them through the desert providing for their every need. He gave them rest in the comforts of His Holy Spirit. "That was way back in the days of Moses when the Lord delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, but where is the Lord now?", the people ask. The exiles cry out to God, "Look down on us and save us." They wonder where is God's mighty salvation. His compassion for them is withheld. They appeal to God as His children. "You are our Farther, our Redeemer from old."
Then they ask, as if they believe God is responsible for their sinful rebellion, "Why do You make us wander from Your ways and harden our hearts so that we do not revere you?" It's as if the Israelites believe they have no freedom of will to choose their own path. Instead of saying, "The devil made me do it," they are saying God made them do it! Some ancients thought of every happening as the will of the gods. So if Israel became unfaithful it must be that God willed it. I find that idea preposterous.
Have you ever wandered from the right path, from God's right ways? We all sin. We all make mistakes. But have you consciously decided to do what you know is forbidden for God's holy people? Did you listen to the call to take a walk on the wild side? I did and found myself oppressed by the very things I thought were fun and freedom. Fortunately I had a religious background. I knew what I was doing was wrong, and I knew the One I had offended. I remembered Him who spoke to my heart at night. I remembered innocent days nestled close to His breast. And I cried out for help. I begged for forgiveness and sought His strength. And He quickly and willingly set me free.
Just as the Lord trampled the enemies of Israel to save them, God will conquer your oppressors too. Even if you chose them for a good time, God will set you free from their hold on you. Remember the Lord and what He has done for Israel and for you. Remember that He is your Father through Jesus Christ our Lord. Remember and cry out, and when the time is ripe, you will be redeemed.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Isaiah 62:1-12
Isaiah 62:1-12 NIV
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord ’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord , and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”
Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 62 is a call to the exiles to rally themselves to rebuild Jerusalem. Though the city lies in ruin, the Lord promises a great rebirth. Though Israel thinks of itself as deserted, the Lord is giving them a new identity through His hopeful message.
It's difficult to know if the voice of the speaker is the Lord or the prophet Isaiah. Since the prophet speaks on behalf of God it's easier to think of the speaker in first person as being the Lord. However, Isaiah 61 clearly has the prophet speaking in first person, so it's a safe bet that Isaiah 62 begins in the voice of Isaiah.
Isaiah will not keep quiet until the Lord has fulfilled His promise to restore Jerusalem to glory. When the rulers of the gentile nations see how Israel's God has rescued and vindicated them, they will talk about them differently. No longer will Israel be thought of as deserted or desolate. They will be thought of as delightful and married to their God. Their new name is Hephzibah, which means, "My delight is in her." The Lord will delight in Jerusalem like a young man delights in his bride. God will marry himself to Jerusalem so that the city will be called Beulah, which means married.
The Lord speaks in first person beginning in verse 6, claiming that He has put watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem. God bids them to not sleep, but continue to call upon the Lord until He fulfills his promise to rebuild Jerusalem and restore her glory. Indeed God asks that the watchmen (the priests and Levites) not to let Him rest, but to keep goading the Lord with their prayers until the city is restored.
That's an interesting thought. Quite often we think God is too busy working on much bigger problems than to be bothered with our individual concerns. Yet here in scripture God says, "Keep calling on me and hold me accountable to my promises to you." What would it mean to your prayer life and your relationship with God if you approached Him in this way? What if you trusted God enough to hold him accountable to His word? He's given you permission to do so!
God promises to make Jerusalem the praise of the earth! Never again will they be invaded and plundered. The food and drink they work to produce will be enjoyed by them, and not handed over to some tyrant king. History shows that God's promise here was not kept forever. For a long while it held true, but something happened to change the relationship with Jerusalem. The Greeks occupied and oppressed Israel after Israel's restoration under Persian rule. Sadly, Rome comes centuries later and taxes Israel severely. When Israel rebels the Romans destroy Jerusalem and Israel ceases to be a sovereign nation for nearly 2000 years.
Does this history negate God's word? Are His promises not to be trusted? The Jews did not entertain such questions. They know the Lord to be fully accountable and most trustworthy. They continue to embrace these promises to find their ultimate fulfillment. The church of Jesus Christ embraced these promises too, when John the apostle spoke of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven adorned as a bride ready for her husband. God's promises often have a now and not yet aspect to them. There is, in a spiritual sense, a present fulfillment, but in the fullest sense there is more to be done.
The Jews look upon the rubble of their city and felt shame, sadness and despair, but the Lord calls to them. "Don't think of yourself in this way! You are loved! You are beautiful! And you will be the queen of all the cities of the earth. So raise the banner high and rally the people. Clear the road. Raise the gates. Enter the city and rejoice." The Lord is coming with reward for His beloved and recompense for the enemies of Israel. Soon the sadness will end and Jerusalem will be known as a city sought after, for they will be once again God's holy people.
As you look upon the world you too may feel sad, ashamed and desperate. But the Lord calls you to hold Him accountable to His promises. He calls you to lift your head and heart and think of yourself and this broken world in terms of what shall be. Paradise was lost, but behold the Lord is making all things new!
Revelation 21:1-5 NIV
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord ’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord , and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”
Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 62 is a call to the exiles to rally themselves to rebuild Jerusalem. Though the city lies in ruin, the Lord promises a great rebirth. Though Israel thinks of itself as deserted, the Lord is giving them a new identity through His hopeful message.
It's difficult to know if the voice of the speaker is the Lord or the prophet Isaiah. Since the prophet speaks on behalf of God it's easier to think of the speaker in first person as being the Lord. However, Isaiah 61 clearly has the prophet speaking in first person, so it's a safe bet that Isaiah 62 begins in the voice of Isaiah.
Isaiah will not keep quiet until the Lord has fulfilled His promise to restore Jerusalem to glory. When the rulers of the gentile nations see how Israel's God has rescued and vindicated them, they will talk about them differently. No longer will Israel be thought of as deserted or desolate. They will be thought of as delightful and married to their God. Their new name is Hephzibah, which means, "My delight is in her." The Lord will delight in Jerusalem like a young man delights in his bride. God will marry himself to Jerusalem so that the city will be called Beulah, which means married.
The Lord speaks in first person beginning in verse 6, claiming that He has put watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem. God bids them to not sleep, but continue to call upon the Lord until He fulfills his promise to rebuild Jerusalem and restore her glory. Indeed God asks that the watchmen (the priests and Levites) not to let Him rest, but to keep goading the Lord with their prayers until the city is restored.
That's an interesting thought. Quite often we think God is too busy working on much bigger problems than to be bothered with our individual concerns. Yet here in scripture God says, "Keep calling on me and hold me accountable to my promises to you." What would it mean to your prayer life and your relationship with God if you approached Him in this way? What if you trusted God enough to hold him accountable to His word? He's given you permission to do so!
God promises to make Jerusalem the praise of the earth! Never again will they be invaded and plundered. The food and drink they work to produce will be enjoyed by them, and not handed over to some tyrant king. History shows that God's promise here was not kept forever. For a long while it held true, but something happened to change the relationship with Jerusalem. The Greeks occupied and oppressed Israel after Israel's restoration under Persian rule. Sadly, Rome comes centuries later and taxes Israel severely. When Israel rebels the Romans destroy Jerusalem and Israel ceases to be a sovereign nation for nearly 2000 years.
Does this history negate God's word? Are His promises not to be trusted? The Jews did not entertain such questions. They know the Lord to be fully accountable and most trustworthy. They continue to embrace these promises to find their ultimate fulfillment. The church of Jesus Christ embraced these promises too, when John the apostle spoke of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven adorned as a bride ready for her husband. God's promises often have a now and not yet aspect to them. There is, in a spiritual sense, a present fulfillment, but in the fullest sense there is more to be done.
The Jews look upon the rubble of their city and felt shame, sadness and despair, but the Lord calls to them. "Don't think of yourself in this way! You are loved! You are beautiful! And you will be the queen of all the cities of the earth. So raise the banner high and rally the people. Clear the road. Raise the gates. Enter the city and rejoice." The Lord is coming with reward for His beloved and recompense for the enemies of Israel. Soon the sadness will end and Jerusalem will be known as a city sought after, for they will be once again God's holy people.
As you look upon the world you too may feel sad, ashamed and desperate. But the Lord calls you to hold Him accountable to His promises. He calls you to lift your head and heart and think of yourself and this broken world in terms of what shall be. Paradise was lost, but behold the Lord is making all things new!
Revelation 21:1-5 NIV
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Friday, January 15, 2016
Isaiah 61:1-11
Isaiah 61:1-11 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord ’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Among Christians, Isaiah 61 may be the best known passage in all of the prophet's writings. For this chapter was read by Jesus aloud in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth.
Luke 4:20-21 NIV
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
When Jesus said this the people in the synagogue took offense. They knew the implications. It meant that messiah had come. Jesus was announcing that the kingdom of heaven had arrived. It meant that Jesus was claiming Himself to be messiah, God's anointed one sent to establish the everlasting kingdom of God.
Was that what Isaiah meant? I don't think so. His audience was the returning exiles. They came to Judea and Jerusalem to find it in ruins, overgrown from decades of neglect. What were they going to do? They must have felt like they were tossed out of the frying pan and into the fire. Were they feeling like the freed Hebrew slaves in the wilderness complaining that they needed to go back you Egypt, where at least they had meat to eat and plenty of water provided for them?
Look how Isaiah describes his audience! They are poor, brokenhearted, captive and imprisoned, mournful and grieving. They are covered in despair by what they must endure. Imagine how you might feel as a survivor of a tornado that ripped through your town, destroying everything. As you look upon your ruined home and those of your neighbors, would you not mourn? Would you be filled with despair at the thought of rebuilding? Isaiah is sent to encourage such hearts.
As always God is concerned for His holy project, Israel. For through a people blessed by The Lord, the world will come to know God. The rebuilding of Zion will not simply be stones and mortar. It will mean rebuilding the holy community that enjoys the Lord's blessing. It means making Israel shine with the splendor and majesty of God, illuminating the world with the righteousness of God.
Isaiah 61:3b NIV
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:9 NIV
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
Isaiah 61:11b
...the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Israel is on display for the world to see. And this display is for the world's benefit. As Israel shines in the radiance of the Lord's blessings of wealth and health, the other nations will be drawn to the Lord. They will want to learn how they might also live under the blessings of the Lord and seek to follow in God's ways.
Isaiah beautifully describes the reversal of fortunes that is about to happen for the grieving Israelites. They will become wealthy when now they are poor. They will have foreigners keeping watch over their flocks and vineyard. The nations will serve them for the gentiles will wish to honor the God of Israel. They will seek the Lord's blessing by being a blessing to Israel.
Israel will be known as a nation of priests, ministers of God. Their renown will reach the end of the earth. All this will happen through the redeeming work of God. He will cause praise for the name of the Lord to spring up like daffodils bloom in early spring. He will create righteous and holy community to cover the earth, for through Israel the knowledge of God will reach the ears and hearts of every man, woman and child.
We all long for worldwide peace. We know peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice. The Lord loves justice and so He redeemed His lost and desperate people to become the people through whom His Christ would appear. God sent His only begotten Son to the earth that we might not perish, but through faith in Him have everlasting life. That life dwells within everyone. The gushing well of living water is ready to burst forth blessing every heart that seeks the Lord.
In the midst of your moments of mourning and despair, I wonder if you can remember God's redeeming power at work in His people? If God overturned the fortunes of the exiles, can He not also do the same for you? If you align your life with the Lord's, if you seek to live a life pleasing to God, you can trust that He will care for your every need. Hear the good news! The Lord is here to bind up our broken hearts and release the captives. Instead of ashes, we'll know beauty. For our lives are on display for the Lord's glory. Let the people of God always praise His name.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord ’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Among Christians, Isaiah 61 may be the best known passage in all of the prophet's writings. For this chapter was read by Jesus aloud in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth.
Luke 4:20-21 NIV
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
When Jesus said this the people in the synagogue took offense. They knew the implications. It meant that messiah had come. Jesus was announcing that the kingdom of heaven had arrived. It meant that Jesus was claiming Himself to be messiah, God's anointed one sent to establish the everlasting kingdom of God.
Was that what Isaiah meant? I don't think so. His audience was the returning exiles. They came to Judea and Jerusalem to find it in ruins, overgrown from decades of neglect. What were they going to do? They must have felt like they were tossed out of the frying pan and into the fire. Were they feeling like the freed Hebrew slaves in the wilderness complaining that they needed to go back you Egypt, where at least they had meat to eat and plenty of water provided for them?
Look how Isaiah describes his audience! They are poor, brokenhearted, captive and imprisoned, mournful and grieving. They are covered in despair by what they must endure. Imagine how you might feel as a survivor of a tornado that ripped through your town, destroying everything. As you look upon your ruined home and those of your neighbors, would you not mourn? Would you be filled with despair at the thought of rebuilding? Isaiah is sent to encourage such hearts.
As always God is concerned for His holy project, Israel. For through a people blessed by The Lord, the world will come to know God. The rebuilding of Zion will not simply be stones and mortar. It will mean rebuilding the holy community that enjoys the Lord's blessing. It means making Israel shine with the splendor and majesty of God, illuminating the world with the righteousness of God.
Isaiah 61:3b NIV
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:9 NIV
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
Isaiah 61:11b
...the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Israel is on display for the world to see. And this display is for the world's benefit. As Israel shines in the radiance of the Lord's blessings of wealth and health, the other nations will be drawn to the Lord. They will want to learn how they might also live under the blessings of the Lord and seek to follow in God's ways.
Isaiah beautifully describes the reversal of fortunes that is about to happen for the grieving Israelites. They will become wealthy when now they are poor. They will have foreigners keeping watch over their flocks and vineyard. The nations will serve them for the gentiles will wish to honor the God of Israel. They will seek the Lord's blessing by being a blessing to Israel.
Israel will be known as a nation of priests, ministers of God. Their renown will reach the end of the earth. All this will happen through the redeeming work of God. He will cause praise for the name of the Lord to spring up like daffodils bloom in early spring. He will create righteous and holy community to cover the earth, for through Israel the knowledge of God will reach the ears and hearts of every man, woman and child.
We all long for worldwide peace. We know peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice. The Lord loves justice and so He redeemed His lost and desperate people to become the people through whom His Christ would appear. God sent His only begotten Son to the earth that we might not perish, but through faith in Him have everlasting life. That life dwells within everyone. The gushing well of living water is ready to burst forth blessing every heart that seeks the Lord.
In the midst of your moments of mourning and despair, I wonder if you can remember God's redeeming power at work in His people? If God overturned the fortunes of the exiles, can He not also do the same for you? If you align your life with the Lord's, if you seek to live a life pleasing to God, you can trust that He will care for your every need. Hear the good news! The Lord is here to bind up our broken hearts and release the captives. Instead of ashes, we'll know beauty. For our lives are on display for the Lord's glory. Let the people of God always praise His name.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Isaiah 60:1-6, 9-12, 15, 17-19, 21-22
Isaiah 60:1-6, 9-12, 15, 17-19, 21-22 NIV
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.
“Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations— their kings led in triumphal procession. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. “Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 60 is an ode of love to the city of Jerusalem and its people. Isaiah continues sending messages of good news that God is ending the exile and bringing the Jews home from wherever they have scattered. God will restore Jerusalem to glory with the wealth of the nations, as they pay tribute to the God of Israel.
"Arise, shine! For your light has come!" What a beautiful greeting! Though the exiles live in the darkness of political captivity and oppression, the glory of the Lord is shining upon them with majesty and power. Great hope shines brightly in the prophet's words. Out of the darkness the peoples of the earth are drawn to the light of the Lord. His glory will rest upon Jerusalem and kings will bring their wealth to honor God.
The Israelites will not believe their eyes when they see the exiles returning. Jerusalem will be filled with joy as her children are gathered once again within her walls. The exiles will return from Babylon, Egypt, Syria, the Mediterranean islands (Greece, Cyprus, Crete, Malta), Asia Minor (Turkey) and Europe. They will be brought on ships bearing gold and silver. Flocks will be herded to the new temple for sacrifice. Happy days are here again. All this is the work of the Lord who took the remnant of survivors and refined them through the exile experience. He plants them in Jerusalem and Judea, like a orchard worker plants a shoot from an olive tree. There they flourish under the Lord's nurture and care.
Things of note in Isaiah 60 appear later in the New Testament.
First the Lord promises the wealth of nations to come to Jerusalem to pay homage to the God of Israel.
Isaiah 60:6 NIV
Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
Notice the name Sheba. You may remember the Queen of Sheba came to witness the glory of Solomon. She was awestruck by his wealth and kingly majesty. His wisdom was unparalleled. Isaiah, by pointing back to Solomon, is pointing ahead to the future. He is saying that the days ahead will be like the days under Solomon, the high water mark in Israel's history.
Matthew's gospel tells of magi from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Are Matthew's magi a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy here in verse 6? They came to pay homage to the child born king of the Jews whom God had chosen and the stars had proclaimed. They followed a new light that led them to Jerusalem. Herod pointed them to Bethlehem where Jesus lived. Matthew's magi are pointing to messianic hopes in Isaiah 60. Through Jesus Christ many pagan nations have come to honor the God of Israel.
Secondly, the promise of the Lord's presence becoming the only light needed for Jerusalem is repeated in John's vision of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation.
Isaiah 60:19-20 NIV
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
Compare that to Revelation.
Revelation 21:23-26 NIV
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.
Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 60 is renewed by the apostle John in his apocalypse. John is taking his notes right out of Isaiah 60. Anyone familiar with Isaiah would have picked up on the allusions to the prophet in John's revelation.
Darkness covers the earth, Isaiah says. That darkness was there at the beginning of time when the Lord created the heavens and the earth. God hovered near and commanded light to shine and it did. The darkness departed from the light. God made a safe place for life to flourish protected from the darkness. Under the persecution of Babylon, God had unleashed the darkness for a time. Now in an act of new creation the Lord once again brings His light to the world and the darkness flees.
Will we trust this good news? Will we rise and walk out of the darkness? Or will we remain hopeless and deny that these glad tidings have any merit? Live like the light is shining. God is with us through the Spirit of Christ. The future is bright because God is here, there and everywhere. Come out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.
“Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations— their kings led in triumphal procession. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. “Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 60 is an ode of love to the city of Jerusalem and its people. Isaiah continues sending messages of good news that God is ending the exile and bringing the Jews home from wherever they have scattered. God will restore Jerusalem to glory with the wealth of the nations, as they pay tribute to the God of Israel.
"Arise, shine! For your light has come!" What a beautiful greeting! Though the exiles live in the darkness of political captivity and oppression, the glory of the Lord is shining upon them with majesty and power. Great hope shines brightly in the prophet's words. Out of the darkness the peoples of the earth are drawn to the light of the Lord. His glory will rest upon Jerusalem and kings will bring their wealth to honor God.
The Israelites will not believe their eyes when they see the exiles returning. Jerusalem will be filled with joy as her children are gathered once again within her walls. The exiles will return from Babylon, Egypt, Syria, the Mediterranean islands (Greece, Cyprus, Crete, Malta), Asia Minor (Turkey) and Europe. They will be brought on ships bearing gold and silver. Flocks will be herded to the new temple for sacrifice. Happy days are here again. All this is the work of the Lord who took the remnant of survivors and refined them through the exile experience. He plants them in Jerusalem and Judea, like a orchard worker plants a shoot from an olive tree. There they flourish under the Lord's nurture and care.
Things of note in Isaiah 60 appear later in the New Testament.
First the Lord promises the wealth of nations to come to Jerusalem to pay homage to the God of Israel.
Isaiah 60:6 NIV
Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
Notice the name Sheba. You may remember the Queen of Sheba came to witness the glory of Solomon. She was awestruck by his wealth and kingly majesty. His wisdom was unparalleled. Isaiah, by pointing back to Solomon, is pointing ahead to the future. He is saying that the days ahead will be like the days under Solomon, the high water mark in Israel's history.
Matthew's gospel tells of magi from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Are Matthew's magi a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy here in verse 6? They came to pay homage to the child born king of the Jews whom God had chosen and the stars had proclaimed. They followed a new light that led them to Jerusalem. Herod pointed them to Bethlehem where Jesus lived. Matthew's magi are pointing to messianic hopes in Isaiah 60. Through Jesus Christ many pagan nations have come to honor the God of Israel.
Secondly, the promise of the Lord's presence becoming the only light needed for Jerusalem is repeated in John's vision of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation.
Isaiah 60:19-20 NIV
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
Compare that to Revelation.
Revelation 21:23-26 NIV
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.
Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 60 is renewed by the apostle John in his apocalypse. John is taking his notes right out of Isaiah 60. Anyone familiar with Isaiah would have picked up on the allusions to the prophet in John's revelation.
Darkness covers the earth, Isaiah says. That darkness was there at the beginning of time when the Lord created the heavens and the earth. God hovered near and commanded light to shine and it did. The darkness departed from the light. God made a safe place for life to flourish protected from the darkness. Under the persecution of Babylon, God had unleashed the darkness for a time. Now in an act of new creation the Lord once again brings His light to the world and the darkness flees.
Will we trust this good news? Will we rise and walk out of the darkness? Or will we remain hopeless and deny that these glad tidings have any merit? Live like the light is shining. God is with us through the Spirit of Christ. The future is bright because God is here, there and everywhere. Come out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Isaiah 59:1-21
Isaiah 59:1-21 NIV
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.
“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord. “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Confession is a powerful tool in the life of people of faith. To recount one's failings and weaknesses, mistakes and poor judgement is humiliating and painful, no doubt, but it leads to cleansing and renewal. Israel, through the prophet's voice, faces its own failings and fesses up to the Lord their God.
Isaiah 59 begins in Isaiah's voice as he confronts the nation with their sin and rebellion. Their sins have separated them from God and His blessings. Their prayers are not heard, for they do not heed the Lord. Instead they do violence, speak falsely, deny justice and birth evil. Their wicked tongues and empty lies are like cobwebs, thin and easily torn apart. Their weak arguments won't hold up to the truth. They don't know the way to peace and any who follow them will stumble and grope in darkness.
Then the people answer the charges. Isaiah voices the nation's confession to the Lord. To paraphrase: "Because of our sin justice and righteousness are far from us. We look for peace, but we are blinded by the dark. We seek deliverance from the Lord from the mess of a society we've created, but our sins are piled so high we cannot reach Him and His justice. We acknowledge our sin and treachery. We turned our backs on God and gone our own way. Truth was nowhere to be found in our dealings and if someone spoke up for the truth, we persecuted them. We chased after the godly like a ravenous wolf after its prey."
But the Lord saw what was going on in Israel and since no one stood up to protect the innocent, or stand against the advancement of wickedness, He stepped in. He suited up in the armor of God with righteousness and salvation. He cloaked Himself in the zeal of the Lord for His holy people. He rushed to rescue the godly from the jaws of the wicked. Like a mighty torrent, the Lord rose up to take vengeance upon those within Israel who oppress the upright and pervert justice for the poor. God will stand against the Greeks (the islands) who oppress Palestine. His mighty action to preserve holy community within Israel will cause the whole world to wonder at the name of the Lord. They will revere the name of the God of Israel.
Finally God speaks His faithful promise to His people. Though they have sinned, though they have been unfaithful to the Lord, the Lord is ever faithful to Israel. He will not abandon His holy project. He promised that His Spirit will always be upon them and God's word will always be upon their lips.
The truth the wayward seek is given when they confess their sins. Confession breaks down the wall within between the sinner and God. Then light shines once again and the blinding darkness, that freedom to do as thou wilt which seemed so compelling, is exposed for what it is, a pathway to death. Hard lessons are learned. Truth is held in esteem. Hearts change. Lives return to right living. Justice comes home. The Spirit of the Lord prevails upon His people and His truth is marching on to victory against the darkness. The children will tell of God's goodness, truth and mercy. Peace will nestle once again in the hearts of the people.
When you sense that your sins have separated you from God and you can't seem to get through to His blessing, know that confession is key to restoring your relationship. Search your heart. Allow the light of God's word to illuminate you. You will be shown the nature of your transgressions. You will be given grace to fess up and find release, for God is merciful and forgiven. God never says, "no harm, no foul." He calls sin what it is, sin. But when we acknowledge the truth of our failings, the Lord is quick to renew us in the beauty of His truth and love. Peace fills us and the black stain of guilt is washed away in His great love.
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.
“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord. “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Confession is a powerful tool in the life of people of faith. To recount one's failings and weaknesses, mistakes and poor judgement is humiliating and painful, no doubt, but it leads to cleansing and renewal. Israel, through the prophet's voice, faces its own failings and fesses up to the Lord their God.
Isaiah 59 begins in Isaiah's voice as he confronts the nation with their sin and rebellion. Their sins have separated them from God and His blessings. Their prayers are not heard, for they do not heed the Lord. Instead they do violence, speak falsely, deny justice and birth evil. Their wicked tongues and empty lies are like cobwebs, thin and easily torn apart. Their weak arguments won't hold up to the truth. They don't know the way to peace and any who follow them will stumble and grope in darkness.
Then the people answer the charges. Isaiah voices the nation's confession to the Lord. To paraphrase: "Because of our sin justice and righteousness are far from us. We look for peace, but we are blinded by the dark. We seek deliverance from the Lord from the mess of a society we've created, but our sins are piled so high we cannot reach Him and His justice. We acknowledge our sin and treachery. We turned our backs on God and gone our own way. Truth was nowhere to be found in our dealings and if someone spoke up for the truth, we persecuted them. We chased after the godly like a ravenous wolf after its prey."
But the Lord saw what was going on in Israel and since no one stood up to protect the innocent, or stand against the advancement of wickedness, He stepped in. He suited up in the armor of God with righteousness and salvation. He cloaked Himself in the zeal of the Lord for His holy people. He rushed to rescue the godly from the jaws of the wicked. Like a mighty torrent, the Lord rose up to take vengeance upon those within Israel who oppress the upright and pervert justice for the poor. God will stand against the Greeks (the islands) who oppress Palestine. His mighty action to preserve holy community within Israel will cause the whole world to wonder at the name of the Lord. They will revere the name of the God of Israel.
Finally God speaks His faithful promise to His people. Though they have sinned, though they have been unfaithful to the Lord, the Lord is ever faithful to Israel. He will not abandon His holy project. He promised that His Spirit will always be upon them and God's word will always be upon their lips.
The truth the wayward seek is given when they confess their sins. Confession breaks down the wall within between the sinner and God. Then light shines once again and the blinding darkness, that freedom to do as thou wilt which seemed so compelling, is exposed for what it is, a pathway to death. Hard lessons are learned. Truth is held in esteem. Hearts change. Lives return to right living. Justice comes home. The Spirit of the Lord prevails upon His people and His truth is marching on to victory against the darkness. The children will tell of God's goodness, truth and mercy. Peace will nestle once again in the hearts of the people.
When you sense that your sins have separated you from God and you can't seem to get through to His blessing, know that confession is key to restoring your relationship. Search your heart. Allow the light of God's word to illuminate you. You will be shown the nature of your transgressions. You will be given grace to fess up and find release, for God is merciful and forgiven. God never says, "no harm, no foul." He calls sin what it is, sin. But when we acknowledge the truth of our failings, the Lord is quick to renew us in the beauty of His truth and love. Peace fills us and the black stain of guilt is washed away in His great love.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Isaiah 58:1-14
Isaiah 58:1-14 NIV
“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord ’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 58 reminds us what is the purpose of religious practices like worship, fasting and other acts of abstinence. The purpose is to draw us closer to God and know His heart. When we know His heart then we who profess to love God will follow His heart, doing as God would do.
When we congregate in houses of worship we hear the word of the Lord. Our understanding of God's heart is reinforced. It's not like God has kept His will and intentions secrete. The scriptures make known who God is. There we learn what pleases God and what does not. We learn of His mercy when we fail. We learn of His amazing grace given to empower us to pursue the excellent love of Jesus Christ. Weekly worship gives us this opportunity to draw closer to God's heart and deepen our understanding.
But we can go to worship and get nothing. It's not just the failure of the preacher or the musicians if your experience is empty. What you give in worship often is revealed in what you receive. What you do during the week shows if your heart is worshiping and serving the Lord.
Take Israel for example here in Isaiah 58. The Sabbath is a day for rest and communion with God. It is a day to delight in the Lord and His good works. It's a day of thanksgiving and reflection. It's a day spent with God's people in the Spirit of the Lord. Yet the prophet is told to shout aloud the nature of Israel's failure.
On the Sabbath they do as they please. They go their own way, doing what they feel like doing, ignoring the observances of the day. They have the outward appearance of true worshipers, seeking the Lord and His counsel, but the way they live betrays them. Are we not guilty of the same? Those who attend worship on Sundays, but then live as if they are no different than those who do not worship, reveal that their hearts are far from God's.
The Israelites participate in holy fasts as they are called upon by the law or by the priesthood, yet they don't see any benefit. Why? The prophet tells them why. They exploit the laborer, they quarrel and fight with their neighbors. Fasting is meant to transform hearts, because the practice is meant to tune our hearts in harmony with God's. Transformed hearts transform relationships and society. How are your religious observances leading you to the transforming touch of the Savior? What are you doing to negate your efforts and stifle your prayers?
God calls His people to bring justice to the land. When they loose the chains of oppression and care for the poor and homeless, then their prayers will find an eager audience in heaven's courts. Such a people will find renewal in themselves and in their society. God promises strength and protection to people who practice justice. They will be builders of broken cities and broken lives.
Let the promise of God encourage you to pursue your religious practices with renewed vigor and all sincerity. For when you delight in the Lord and His right ways, when you keep a disciplined life that draws you ever closer to the heart of God, you will find the fullest joy and feast on the good things of God.
“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord ’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 58 reminds us what is the purpose of religious practices like worship, fasting and other acts of abstinence. The purpose is to draw us closer to God and know His heart. When we know His heart then we who profess to love God will follow His heart, doing as God would do.
When we congregate in houses of worship we hear the word of the Lord. Our understanding of God's heart is reinforced. It's not like God has kept His will and intentions secrete. The scriptures make known who God is. There we learn what pleases God and what does not. We learn of His mercy when we fail. We learn of His amazing grace given to empower us to pursue the excellent love of Jesus Christ. Weekly worship gives us this opportunity to draw closer to God's heart and deepen our understanding.
But we can go to worship and get nothing. It's not just the failure of the preacher or the musicians if your experience is empty. What you give in worship often is revealed in what you receive. What you do during the week shows if your heart is worshiping and serving the Lord.
Take Israel for example here in Isaiah 58. The Sabbath is a day for rest and communion with God. It is a day to delight in the Lord and His good works. It's a day of thanksgiving and reflection. It's a day spent with God's people in the Spirit of the Lord. Yet the prophet is told to shout aloud the nature of Israel's failure.
On the Sabbath they do as they please. They go their own way, doing what they feel like doing, ignoring the observances of the day. They have the outward appearance of true worshipers, seeking the Lord and His counsel, but the way they live betrays them. Are we not guilty of the same? Those who attend worship on Sundays, but then live as if they are no different than those who do not worship, reveal that their hearts are far from God's.
The Israelites participate in holy fasts as they are called upon by the law or by the priesthood, yet they don't see any benefit. Why? The prophet tells them why. They exploit the laborer, they quarrel and fight with their neighbors. Fasting is meant to transform hearts, because the practice is meant to tune our hearts in harmony with God's. Transformed hearts transform relationships and society. How are your religious observances leading you to the transforming touch of the Savior? What are you doing to negate your efforts and stifle your prayers?
God calls His people to bring justice to the land. When they loose the chains of oppression and care for the poor and homeless, then their prayers will find an eager audience in heaven's courts. Such a people will find renewal in themselves and in their society. God promises strength and protection to people who practice justice. They will be builders of broken cities and broken lives.
Let the promise of God encourage you to pursue your religious practices with renewed vigor and all sincerity. For when you delight in the Lord and His right ways, when you keep a disciplined life that draws you ever closer to the heart of God, you will find the fullest joy and feast on the good things of God.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Isaiah 56:9-57:21
Isaiah 56:9-57:21 NIV
Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest! Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain. “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”
The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. “But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?
You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In view of all this, should I relent? You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. You went to Molek with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the very realm of the dead! You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint.
“Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me— the very people I have created. I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord . “And I will heal them.” But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
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Isaiah 56:9 begins a message to the obstinate of Israel who continue in their idolatry and ignore the prophet's warnings, glad tidings, and invitation to accept the grace of God.
The message begins with a call to come and attend to what the Lord has to say. The Lord calls to beasts of field and forest, brute animals with no sense. That is the prophet's way of calling idol worshipers dumb. They behave like dumb animals without higher inclinations. They behave like dogs hungry for the carcass. Specifically the leadership of Israel is guilty of busying themselves in self indulgence, asleep at the helm in their drunkenness. They should have barked an alarm, but they are sleeping off their latest binge. They have no idea what's coming.
The Lord laments that the righteous perish and no one cares. God cares. Though the wicked continue in their revelry, God attends to the upright and takes them out of a fallen world so filled with villainy and suffering.
Commit this to memory:
Isaiah 57:1b NIV
"The righteous are taken away to be spared from evil."
As the leadership of the nation plays, the people suffer. As they enable wickedness in society, the righteous are brought low, surrounded by evil. Peace comes at last in their deaths. But there will be no peace for the wicked.
After calling the wicked to listen to the message of the Lord, they are confronted with their idolatrous ways. Pagan worship included sexual rites intended to invoke the gods to bless the land and flocks with fertile abundance. But the Lord calls idolatry what it is, selfish lust, greed for more. Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians about the way of idolaters.
Ephesians 4:19 NIV
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
The prophet confronts the Idolaters lustful actions in their pagan worship. They build shrines under ever spreading tree, and in the ravines. They set up idols there amidst the smooth rocks. They hang pagan symbols on the doors as part of their superstition. They must gain something from this activity because they continue even though such a life is wearing them out.
The Lord wonders why they heed pagan idols and ideas but ignore the living God. He determines that it must be because He had acted (spoken) in a long while. So now God will act. He will bring judgement upon the Idolaters and they will know the living God has not been sleeping nor is He unaware of their unfaithfulness. Like an indignant husband who caught his wife in bed with another man, the Lord will act swiftly to right the wrong.
A perfect description of idolatry is in Paul's letter to the Romans.
Romans 1:25 NIV
"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator."
Even though they have given their hearts lesser things, the Lord is gracious. In the midst of the clamour of the Lord's judgement upon this wicked people, those who repent will find Him quick to forgive and embrace them. Even though they are guilty of spiritual adultery, God is willing to forgive those who turn to Him in humility. Even though they continued in their sins, God will heal His wayward people. God will rescue Israel from exile and restore them with godly leadership. Only those who remain in their wickedness will not find peace.
The thing about reading the prophet's is that you have to wade through a lot of confrontational material before you see hope. But having made the journey with open ears and heart, hope springs forth from the page with sudden showers of blessing.
Isaiah 57:15 NIV
For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Clearly God is jealous for Israel, and for our love too. The first commandant is to have no other gods before us to worship. There is only one God and He is Yahweh, the God of Israel and embodied in Jesus Christ. Instead of trying to fill our mighty appetites with the things of this world like beasts, let us acknowledge that our insatiable hunger is for God. Until we submit to this reality, this truth of human existence, we'll never know lasting peace. But when we do yield and surrender our lives to God, peace comes in abundance now and forever.
Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest! Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain. “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”
The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. “But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?
You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In view of all this, should I relent? You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. You went to Molek with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the very realm of the dead! You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint.
“Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me— the very people I have created. I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord . “And I will heal them.” But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 56:9 begins a message to the obstinate of Israel who continue in their idolatry and ignore the prophet's warnings, glad tidings, and invitation to accept the grace of God.
The message begins with a call to come and attend to what the Lord has to say. The Lord calls to beasts of field and forest, brute animals with no sense. That is the prophet's way of calling idol worshipers dumb. They behave like dumb animals without higher inclinations. They behave like dogs hungry for the carcass. Specifically the leadership of Israel is guilty of busying themselves in self indulgence, asleep at the helm in their drunkenness. They should have barked an alarm, but they are sleeping off their latest binge. They have no idea what's coming.
The Lord laments that the righteous perish and no one cares. God cares. Though the wicked continue in their revelry, God attends to the upright and takes them out of a fallen world so filled with villainy and suffering.
Commit this to memory:
Isaiah 57:1b NIV
"The righteous are taken away to be spared from evil."
As the leadership of the nation plays, the people suffer. As they enable wickedness in society, the righteous are brought low, surrounded by evil. Peace comes at last in their deaths. But there will be no peace for the wicked.
After calling the wicked to listen to the message of the Lord, they are confronted with their idolatrous ways. Pagan worship included sexual rites intended to invoke the gods to bless the land and flocks with fertile abundance. But the Lord calls idolatry what it is, selfish lust, greed for more. Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians about the way of idolaters.
Ephesians 4:19 NIV
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
The prophet confronts the Idolaters lustful actions in their pagan worship. They build shrines under ever spreading tree, and in the ravines. They set up idols there amidst the smooth rocks. They hang pagan symbols on the doors as part of their superstition. They must gain something from this activity because they continue even though such a life is wearing them out.
The Lord wonders why they heed pagan idols and ideas but ignore the living God. He determines that it must be because He had acted (spoken) in a long while. So now God will act. He will bring judgement upon the Idolaters and they will know the living God has not been sleeping nor is He unaware of their unfaithfulness. Like an indignant husband who caught his wife in bed with another man, the Lord will act swiftly to right the wrong.
A perfect description of idolatry is in Paul's letter to the Romans.
Romans 1:25 NIV
"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator."
Even though they have given their hearts lesser things, the Lord is gracious. In the midst of the clamour of the Lord's judgement upon this wicked people, those who repent will find Him quick to forgive and embrace them. Even though they are guilty of spiritual adultery, God is willing to forgive those who turn to Him in humility. Even though they continued in their sins, God will heal His wayward people. God will rescue Israel from exile and restore them with godly leadership. Only those who remain in their wickedness will not find peace.
The thing about reading the prophet's is that you have to wade through a lot of confrontational material before you see hope. But having made the journey with open ears and heart, hope springs forth from the page with sudden showers of blessing.
Isaiah 57:15 NIV
For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Clearly God is jealous for Israel, and for our love too. The first commandant is to have no other gods before us to worship. There is only one God and He is Yahweh, the God of Israel and embodied in Jesus Christ. Instead of trying to fill our mighty appetites with the things of this world like beasts, let us acknowledge that our insatiable hunger is for God. Until we submit to this reality, this truth of human existence, we'll never know lasting peace. But when we do yield and surrender our lives to God, peace comes in abundance now and forever.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Isaiah 56:1-8
Isaiah 56:1-8 NIV
This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 56 begins the third part of the book. This material, scholars say, was written after the exile in the restoration period of Old Testament history. The message is to those whom the law excluded from entry to the temple, eunuchs and gentiles. While they were free to worship outside the temple's inner courts, they were not allowed to come inside with the Israelites. You might remember the ruckus at Saint Paul's arrest in Jerusalem was around the issue of a Greek in the temple.
Acts 21:27-29a NIV
Some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”
The law of Moses restricts temple worship to the physically and religiously clean. A leper could not enter the temple. A person with a rash could not enter. A eunuch, whose testicles were crushed or cut off, would never be allowed to enter the temple. No person with blemishes or injury could enter and defile the holy place.
Deuteronomy 23:1 NIV
No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the Lord.
In Jesus' day the temple had signs warning foreigners that they can not enter the inner courts of the temple. Trespassing meant a penalty of death!
Here in Isaiah 55 God is overturning His own law. He is promising eunuchs and gentiles total inclusion in the life of God's holy people. Not only will the returning exiles worship and serve the Lord at His temple, so will all those who keep the law and love the Lord. At least this is how I am reading Isaiah.
Isaiah could be using hyperbole, for clearly the Jews leading Israel's religion in the first century did not abandon the legal restrictions on who could enter the temple. I read Isaiah 56 more radically. I believe God is throwing open wide the doors God's house to any who keep Sabbath and observe the laws of the covenant through Moses. To have a memorial in the temple walls is an incredible claim! For only the Lord is exalted in the temple, and yet God promises eunuchs who keep wholly the religious code to have such an honor.
In the time after the exile God is gathering a true Israel, a nation not defined strictly by bloodlines to Jacob's 12 sons, but defined by holiness and godliness. Here in Isaiah 56 I see the church of Jesus Christ foreshadowed. For the apostle Paul was a devout Jew, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law of Moses, yet he understood that through the blood of Christ all are made holy, all who are in Christ are included in God's people.
Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
In Christ the dividing wall that stands between The Jew and gentiles, between clean and unclean, is demolished. God is making a new man, one filled with the Spirit of Christ. It is Christ alone who makes us holy.
What are the blemishes that stand between you and God? What keeps you from drawing near to the Lord and joining in celebration with God's people? Remember that your sins are washed away in the atoning blood of Christ. Do not think yourself unclean or unfit to stand before the Lord. Remember the word of the Lord to Peter as he struggled with the notion of accepting gentiles and their unclean foods.
Acts 10:15 NIV
The voice (from heaven) spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise! You are welcome at the Lord's table!
This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 56 begins the third part of the book. This material, scholars say, was written after the exile in the restoration period of Old Testament history. The message is to those whom the law excluded from entry to the temple, eunuchs and gentiles. While they were free to worship outside the temple's inner courts, they were not allowed to come inside with the Israelites. You might remember the ruckus at Saint Paul's arrest in Jerusalem was around the issue of a Greek in the temple.
Acts 21:27-29a NIV
Some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”
The law of Moses restricts temple worship to the physically and religiously clean. A leper could not enter the temple. A person with a rash could not enter. A eunuch, whose testicles were crushed or cut off, would never be allowed to enter the temple. No person with blemishes or injury could enter and defile the holy place.
Deuteronomy 23:1 NIV
No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the Lord.
In Jesus' day the temple had signs warning foreigners that they can not enter the inner courts of the temple. Trespassing meant a penalty of death!
Here in Isaiah 55 God is overturning His own law. He is promising eunuchs and gentiles total inclusion in the life of God's holy people. Not only will the returning exiles worship and serve the Lord at His temple, so will all those who keep the law and love the Lord. At least this is how I am reading Isaiah.
Isaiah could be using hyperbole, for clearly the Jews leading Israel's religion in the first century did not abandon the legal restrictions on who could enter the temple. I read Isaiah 56 more radically. I believe God is throwing open wide the doors God's house to any who keep Sabbath and observe the laws of the covenant through Moses. To have a memorial in the temple walls is an incredible claim! For only the Lord is exalted in the temple, and yet God promises eunuchs who keep wholly the religious code to have such an honor.
In the time after the exile God is gathering a true Israel, a nation not defined strictly by bloodlines to Jacob's 12 sons, but defined by holiness and godliness. Here in Isaiah 56 I see the church of Jesus Christ foreshadowed. For the apostle Paul was a devout Jew, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law of Moses, yet he understood that through the blood of Christ all are made holy, all who are in Christ are included in God's people.
Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
In Christ the dividing wall that stands between The Jew and gentiles, between clean and unclean, is demolished. God is making a new man, one filled with the Spirit of Christ. It is Christ alone who makes us holy.
What are the blemishes that stand between you and God? What keeps you from drawing near to the Lord and joining in celebration with God's people? Remember that your sins are washed away in the atoning blood of Christ. Do not think yourself unclean or unfit to stand before the Lord. Remember the word of the Lord to Peter as he struggled with the notion of accepting gentiles and their unclean foods.
Acts 10:15 NIV
The voice (from heaven) spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise! You are welcome at the Lord's table!
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Isaiah 55:1-13
Isaiah 55:1-13 NIV
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord ’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In 1999 my wife and I travelled to Israel with an educational group to tour the holy land. We came to Jerusalem and prayed at the wailing wall, that which remains of the temple. Why were we there? We were there because of the God of Israel, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 55 is probably my favorite chapter in all of Isaiah, although chapter 40 is a strong competitor. This invitation to the exiles, and to us, is filled with faith boosting words and ideas that bring me joy.
The chapter begins by calling to the thirsty and hungry. The Lord is offering free and satisfying delights to quench our thirst and sate our hunger. These delights of drink and food are not purchased at a restaurant or supermarket. They are received by listening to God's good news. God knows there is a deeper thirst that no water or wine can quench. There is a hunger in the human heart only God can fill. We were meant for communion with our Creator, but we are cut off from the very One who can satisfy us. We try all other kinds of delights in order to satisfy our hunger and thirst, but these fade and do not last. Why do we keep going to the quick fix when that's not what we truly need? What we need is God.
God promises to make covenant with the exiles, like the one He made with King David, an agreement that binds God to Israel forever. Because of God's faithful love for Israel, gentiles will come running to them to find gratification for their inner need.
Isaiah 55:5 NIV
"Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel..."
My visit to Jerusalem in 1999 is a literal fulfillment of this prophecy. When Israel listened to the Lord and created holy community once more, the Lord blessed them and they blessed the world with the knowledge of God. For through Israel came the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Listening to the Lord means that the wicked and unrighteous will change and follow God's right ways. God calls us to a higher path, to greater thoughts. The Lord is offering mercy to all comers. Come while you still can, while the Lord may be found by you.
There is a new exodus on the horizon, a great deliverance to come. The captives will be set free and they will walk home, where they belong with their God. They will journey into His embrace unmolested and unharmed. The suffering is over. The exile has ended. Good times are now here with endless delights to come.
This word is for all who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God. Can you believe it? Your time of exile from all the goodness of God is over. Stop trying to buy happiness. Listen to good news and be satisfied with your heart's delight. Even if you doubt, know that the Lord will fulfill this promise. For just as the rain from the mountains waters the plains and produces grain from the the fields, so every promise God speaks, every word that comes from His mouth, will be accomplished. Yahweh is God and there is no other.
Let me end with the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:6 NIV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord ’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In 1999 my wife and I travelled to Israel with an educational group to tour the holy land. We came to Jerusalem and prayed at the wailing wall, that which remains of the temple. Why were we there? We were there because of the God of Israel, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 55 is probably my favorite chapter in all of Isaiah, although chapter 40 is a strong competitor. This invitation to the exiles, and to us, is filled with faith boosting words and ideas that bring me joy.
The chapter begins by calling to the thirsty and hungry. The Lord is offering free and satisfying delights to quench our thirst and sate our hunger. These delights of drink and food are not purchased at a restaurant or supermarket. They are received by listening to God's good news. God knows there is a deeper thirst that no water or wine can quench. There is a hunger in the human heart only God can fill. We were meant for communion with our Creator, but we are cut off from the very One who can satisfy us. We try all other kinds of delights in order to satisfy our hunger and thirst, but these fade and do not last. Why do we keep going to the quick fix when that's not what we truly need? What we need is God.
God promises to make covenant with the exiles, like the one He made with King David, an agreement that binds God to Israel forever. Because of God's faithful love for Israel, gentiles will come running to them to find gratification for their inner need.
Isaiah 55:5 NIV
"Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel..."
My visit to Jerusalem in 1999 is a literal fulfillment of this prophecy. When Israel listened to the Lord and created holy community once more, the Lord blessed them and they blessed the world with the knowledge of God. For through Israel came the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Listening to the Lord means that the wicked and unrighteous will change and follow God's right ways. God calls us to a higher path, to greater thoughts. The Lord is offering mercy to all comers. Come while you still can, while the Lord may be found by you.
There is a new exodus on the horizon, a great deliverance to come. The captives will be set free and they will walk home, where they belong with their God. They will journey into His embrace unmolested and unharmed. The suffering is over. The exile has ended. Good times are now here with endless delights to come.
This word is for all who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God. Can you believe it? Your time of exile from all the goodness of God is over. Stop trying to buy happiness. Listen to good news and be satisfied with your heart's delight. Even if you doubt, know that the Lord will fulfill this promise. For just as the rain from the mountains waters the plains and produces grain from the the fields, so every promise God speaks, every word that comes from His mouth, will be accomplished. Yahweh is God and there is no other.
Let me end with the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:6 NIV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Isaiah 54:1-17
Isaiah 54:1-17 NIV
“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit— a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God.
“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer. “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.
In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 54 is wonderfully full of good tidings for the exiles of Israel. This word from the Lord reaches them in Babylon where they languish under their captors' oppression. God has a message for His chosen nation. Though Israel appears to be like a scorned divorcee, the Lord will turn to her with compassion and bring her back home. Though Israel seems like a barren woman disgraced, the Lord tells His people that they will become great in numbers and dispossess nations and move into empty cities. This is a wonderful message of hope in the restoration of a nation brought low.
God promised no disgrace, so do not fear. The joy to come will make the exiles forget the shame of their youth.
Isaiah 54:4 NIV
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth...
That verse grabbed me. Of course the shame of youth is directed toward the fact that Israel was handed over to their enemies because of their idolatry. They were not faithful to God and broke His covenant law. But God doesn't even mention it, only that their shame will be forgotten.
Isn't that what our God is like? He washes us clean of our shame and guilt. No longer disgraced, we are filled with His amazing grace and set upon a course to eternal life. He remembers our sins no more. He has cast our sins away as far as the east is from the west. That is the mercy of our God.
And yet I find that even though God forgives and forgets, I find it terribly difficult to do so. I'd love to forget the shame of my youth, but I feel more like King David.
Psalm 51:3 NIV
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
God calls to me to not fear disgrace, but to embrace these glad tidings to the exiles. I am in exile too, driven from paradise and estranged from my God because of the power of sin. Yet Christ Jesus has broken the power of sin through the cross. Though He was abandoned and disgraced upon Calvary, He was exalted from the grave to glory on high. All who hope in Him will share in His glorious resurrection.
God promises the exiles a great future and protection from further harm. The Lord will have deep compassion for them that will never end. The city of Jerusalem will be glorious, built upon precious stones as its foundation, jewels will fill its walls! Just as God promised never to flood the earth again to destroy all life, God promises to never attack Jerusalem again as He did through Babylon. If Israel is attacked, God will fight for them and repel the enemy.
Knowing that Jerusalem was taken again by the Greeks, followed then by the Romans and destroyed, it's sad to say this promise failed in a literal sense. Israel was attacked again and God did not repel the enemy nor save the city. The early church set its sights on a new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. They still embraced the promise, for the city is really only a symbol of a community dedicated to holiness, to the just and right ways of God. Though the temple was destroyed, Christians began to think of themselves as a temple made of living stones. Christians trust in God to ultimately create a lasting peace through God-centered holy community. The church is supposed to be expression of this kind of community. Though we fall short, God remains compassionately faithful. Do not fear disgrace and forget your shame. Your God calls you out of exile, out of your estrangement from Him, and into His loving embrace.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit— a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God.
“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer. “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.
In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 54 is wonderfully full of good tidings for the exiles of Israel. This word from the Lord reaches them in Babylon where they languish under their captors' oppression. God has a message for His chosen nation. Though Israel appears to be like a scorned divorcee, the Lord will turn to her with compassion and bring her back home. Though Israel seems like a barren woman disgraced, the Lord tells His people that they will become great in numbers and dispossess nations and move into empty cities. This is a wonderful message of hope in the restoration of a nation brought low.
God promised no disgrace, so do not fear. The joy to come will make the exiles forget the shame of their youth.
Isaiah 54:4 NIV
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth...
That verse grabbed me. Of course the shame of youth is directed toward the fact that Israel was handed over to their enemies because of their idolatry. They were not faithful to God and broke His covenant law. But God doesn't even mention it, only that their shame will be forgotten.
Isn't that what our God is like? He washes us clean of our shame and guilt. No longer disgraced, we are filled with His amazing grace and set upon a course to eternal life. He remembers our sins no more. He has cast our sins away as far as the east is from the west. That is the mercy of our God.
And yet I find that even though God forgives and forgets, I find it terribly difficult to do so. I'd love to forget the shame of my youth, but I feel more like King David.
Psalm 51:3 NIV
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
God calls to me to not fear disgrace, but to embrace these glad tidings to the exiles. I am in exile too, driven from paradise and estranged from my God because of the power of sin. Yet Christ Jesus has broken the power of sin through the cross. Though He was abandoned and disgraced upon Calvary, He was exalted from the grave to glory on high. All who hope in Him will share in His glorious resurrection.
God promises the exiles a great future and protection from further harm. The Lord will have deep compassion for them that will never end. The city of Jerusalem will be glorious, built upon precious stones as its foundation, jewels will fill its walls! Just as God promised never to flood the earth again to destroy all life, God promises to never attack Jerusalem again as He did through Babylon. If Israel is attacked, God will fight for them and repel the enemy.
Knowing that Jerusalem was taken again by the Greeks, followed then by the Romans and destroyed, it's sad to say this promise failed in a literal sense. Israel was attacked again and God did not repel the enemy nor save the city. The early church set its sights on a new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. They still embraced the promise, for the city is really only a symbol of a community dedicated to holiness, to the just and right ways of God. Though the temple was destroyed, Christians began to think of themselves as a temple made of living stones. Christians trust in God to ultimately create a lasting peace through God-centered holy community. The church is supposed to be expression of this kind of community. Though we fall short, God remains compassionately faithful. Do not fear disgrace and forget your shame. Your God calls you out of exile, out of your estrangement from Him, and into His loving embrace.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Isaiah 51:1-18, 21-23
Isaiah 51:1-18, 21-23 NIV
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
“Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.”
Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over? Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”
Awake, awake! Rise up, Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, you who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes people stagger. Among all the children she bore there was none to guide her; among all the children she reared there was none to take her by the hand. Therefore hear this, you afflicted one, made drunk, but not with wine. This is what your Sovereign Lord says, your God, who defends his people: “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger; from that cup, the goblet of my wrath, you will never drink again. I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, ‘Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.’ And you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked on.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 51 has a similar message as proclaimed earlier in the prophet's collection of oracles. God will return the Jews from exile to their home in Judea. God will turn against Babylon to set the Jews free. The Jews were in exile because of God's wrath, because of their unfaithfulness to God. But now God has turned wrath to compassion. His compassion is for Israel. God's wrath is reserved for Babylon.
Isaiah 51 begins with the word "Listen". Three times the righteous who heed the word of the Lord are called to hear Him speak anew. God has a message of hope, a promise of salvation and the endurance of righteousness. Those who seek the Lord, who know what is right, are being called to listen and to look. Listen to the message of the Lord through Isaiah. Look to the examples of the past.
Look to Abraham and Sarah. They were small in number but became a mighty nation, wealthy and respected. God promised this to Abraham and it became so. Look to the works of God's hands, the heavens and the earth. Though they will one day pass away, God's promise of salvation and righteousness will never pass away. Look to the history of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, poetically referred to as Rahab the monster. God delivered the nation from Egyptian slavery. God can and will deliver the nation from the tyranny of Babylon.
But not only is Israel waiting for justice, other oppressed nations are waiting for relief from Babylon too. God will grant them salvation as well. They too wait for God to act.
The Jews need not fear their captors, those who insult and abuse them. God is eternal. This exile in Babylon is temporary. God encourages them not to fear, but to acknowledge that He is coming soon to set them free. The Jews should acknowledge their special relationship with God through Abraham and Moses. Though they failed to keep the covenant through Moses, they are still the chosen nation through which God will bring His salvation to all the world.
Isaiah 51:16 NIV
I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”
Israel is the messenger, the witness to Yahweh. They are a nation meant to be blessed by God through holy living, so that the knowledge of God through them might bless the entire earth. His hand is over them, shaping and training them for righteousness. His hand is over them protecting them from extermination. He saves a remnant who take His instruction to heart. They will return to Jerusalem and start again. They will resume proper worship and holy living and the surrounding nations will learn of the Almighty God. Though God made the Jews staggering drunk with the cup of His wrath, they will be renewed when God puts His wrath upon their oppressors, the Babylonians.
Whenever you cross a street, you learned to stop, look and listen. Whenever you cross through a time of difficulty or challenge, remember to stop being fearful, listen to the word of God, and look to the many examples of God's power to make things new, to rescue and to save. Though you and I may fail to be faithful to God, God is ever faithful to us. His righteousness and salvation endure forever.
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
“Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.”
Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over? Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”
Awake, awake! Rise up, Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, you who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes people stagger. Among all the children she bore there was none to guide her; among all the children she reared there was none to take her by the hand. Therefore hear this, you afflicted one, made drunk, but not with wine. This is what your Sovereign Lord says, your God, who defends his people: “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger; from that cup, the goblet of my wrath, you will never drink again. I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, ‘Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.’ And you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked on.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 51 has a similar message as proclaimed earlier in the prophet's collection of oracles. God will return the Jews from exile to their home in Judea. God will turn against Babylon to set the Jews free. The Jews were in exile because of God's wrath, because of their unfaithfulness to God. But now God has turned wrath to compassion. His compassion is for Israel. God's wrath is reserved for Babylon.
Isaiah 51 begins with the word "Listen". Three times the righteous who heed the word of the Lord are called to hear Him speak anew. God has a message of hope, a promise of salvation and the endurance of righteousness. Those who seek the Lord, who know what is right, are being called to listen and to look. Listen to the message of the Lord through Isaiah. Look to the examples of the past.
Look to Abraham and Sarah. They were small in number but became a mighty nation, wealthy and respected. God promised this to Abraham and it became so. Look to the works of God's hands, the heavens and the earth. Though they will one day pass away, God's promise of salvation and righteousness will never pass away. Look to the history of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, poetically referred to as Rahab the monster. God delivered the nation from Egyptian slavery. God can and will deliver the nation from the tyranny of Babylon.
But not only is Israel waiting for justice, other oppressed nations are waiting for relief from Babylon too. God will grant them salvation as well. They too wait for God to act.
The Jews need not fear their captors, those who insult and abuse them. God is eternal. This exile in Babylon is temporary. God encourages them not to fear, but to acknowledge that He is coming soon to set them free. The Jews should acknowledge their special relationship with God through Abraham and Moses. Though they failed to keep the covenant through Moses, they are still the chosen nation through which God will bring His salvation to all the world.
Isaiah 51:16 NIV
I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”
Israel is the messenger, the witness to Yahweh. They are a nation meant to be blessed by God through holy living, so that the knowledge of God through them might bless the entire earth. His hand is over them, shaping and training them for righteousness. His hand is over them protecting them from extermination. He saves a remnant who take His instruction to heart. They will return to Jerusalem and start again. They will resume proper worship and holy living and the surrounding nations will learn of the Almighty God. Though God made the Jews staggering drunk with the cup of His wrath, they will be renewed when God puts His wrath upon their oppressors, the Babylonians.
Whenever you cross a street, you learned to stop, look and listen. Whenever you cross through a time of difficulty or challenge, remember to stop being fearful, listen to the word of God, and look to the many examples of God's power to make things new, to rescue and to save. Though you and I may fail to be faithful to God, God is ever faithful to us. His righteousness and salvation endure forever.
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