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God’s Answer to Sin

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Isaiah 59:1 - 60:16    

It is God who can save the sinner (vs.1) "But your iniquities have separated you from your God." (vs.2). They are on their own and totally messing up their lives (vs.3-15).

After explaining God's ability and man's hopeless condition, Isaiah proclaims that God will ready Himself for the task of salvation. His clothing resembles the armor of the believer in Ephesians 6:13-17. His enemies are doomed, but those who repent will be saved by God, a gift that they could not achieve for themselves (vs.20).

Throughout the later chapters of Isaiah, Messiah is present, even when the Servant is not specifically named. Jesus is the One who accomplished salvation for the world, though Isaiah's words often also refer to the contemporary coming destruction and reclamation of Jerusalem in Isaiah's time.

If you have the time, try writing down the phrases and verses that seem to refer to what Jesus has done for us or to something about His life. Note how extensive the list really is! It is also amazing to note the number of verses that apply equally as well to our own time as they did to Isaiah's.

Chapter 60 begins with the announcement of Zion's light; not a light coming from the city or its people, but from God.

The final peace of Jerusalem, described in vs.1-16, was ultimately misunderstood by God's people. By Jesus' time the Jews had come to believe that the restoration of Jerusalem would be political. The belief was so strong that even at Jesus' ascension, after three years in His company, His disciples asked Him if it was time to restore Israel's supremacy. Paul Meier, Christian historian and author, says that Judas may have betrayed Jesus either because he was disillusioned that Jesus had not raised an army to conquer Rome, or that he may even have believed that when confronted with arrest Jesus would finally rise up, defeat Rome, and restore Israel. When Jesus contradicted the presumed role of political/military leader by coming as the Suffering Servant and Savior of their eternal souls, the Jews rejected Him, and the Gentiles could not understand Him.

Next time: The One Bringing Good News

But the Wicked will Fall

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Isaiah 56:9-58:14

Through Isaiah God has already plainly stated in chapter 56 that, contrary to the view of the time, the believing foreigner would be welcome in God's kingdom, and that the eunuch (or any person not physically "normal") was invited to taste salvation. This chapter is even more interesting if the proclamation in verses 1-8 and the accusation against the "watchmen), or spiritual leaders, in verses 9-12 are compared to the attitude of the Jewish leaders in Jesus' time. Far from being willing to witness to "foreigners" they avoided them. For instance, a good Pharisee would walk all the way around the borders of Samaria, adding perhaps many miles to their journey, to avoid touching Samaritan soil.

Isaiah breaks his attack as chapter 57 begins (vs.1-2) when he cites the righteous man who dies finally finds the peace that the wicked leaders of his own country have failed to understand.

Then the prophet returns to the rebels among God's people; people and leaders who have put on a show of offering worship to God while also following the vilest of pagan gods. Some, including evil King Manasseh had even offered their children to the detestable Molech. Verse 13 ends Isaiah's proclamation on their evil and returns to the righteous who "takes refuge in Me [God]." Then the chapter ends with the return of God's grace on His people who will form the remnant of the faithful. The old adage "There's no rest for the wicked" resounds in verse 21.

Chapter 58 is a picture of a people who practice their religious customs in order to get what they want from God, but their lives prove that they do not honor God; their worship is not from their hearts. In our own time, do our lives throughout the week reflect the worship and praise that we offer God on Sunday?

Next time: God's Answer to Sin

Zion at Peace

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Isaiah 54:1 – 56:8

This passage begins with another picture of Israel's restoration. She will no longer be barren and no longer wonder if her husband (God) has rejected her. The perfect Jerusalem will be built by God, and nations will flock to her because of the Lord, and there will be no enemy to be feared. There will be neither defeat nor terror. Zion (Israel/Jerusalem) will at peace.

Those who are not Jews will still be welcome in the kingdom. Those who are imperfect will belong to God. They will join Israel in serving the Lord and living in peace.

This is a great picture, but is it spiritual or is it physical, or is it both? That is a debate that goes on between denominations even today. Some say that total peace with God refers to spiritual Israel, Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus the Savior. They have peace with God and cannot be defeated by Satan because of Him who owns them. The restored Jerusalem is to be found in heaven on the last day.

Others believe that God is speaking also of the physical Jewish nation and that though they have not yet experienced peace in a perfected Jerusalem, honored by nations because of their Lord, the Jews are still very special to God. They believe that God will bring them to Christ and that they will live under His rule for a time in great honor on earth.

There are other similar views throughout Christianity. All teach that Jesus is the Son of God, Savior of the world, and that He will return as Judge and Lord. As far as exactly what will take place at the end of this world, none of them has to be totally right in order to be Christian.

The study of the end times when Jesus will return is called Eschatology. It's a fascinating topic, but can be interpreted in different ways because much of what we know about end times is presented in poetic, symbolic language. The most famous books of the Bible thought to deal with end times are Daniel and Revelation.

Next time: But the Wicked will Fall

The Servant Further Described

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Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

Verse 13 begins the fourth Servant Song. He is described as gloriously lifted up; He is God's anointed. In God's eyes He will prosper. Verses 14 and 15 are hard to understand. They seem to describe the beaten Christ as He goes to the cross, and His blood cleansing the world. Then many will understand.

This isn't a major observation among the comments on chapter 53, the major Servant Song of Isaiah, but every time I see a blue eyed, blond haired, handsome, tall Jesus in a movie or painting I think of Isaiah 53:2. Jesus looked like a typical Jew of the time, though He was God incarnate. There was nothing physical about Him to make people take special note. No contemporary paintings of Him exist, but Jesus was probably swarthy, dark haired, brown eyed, and probably no taller than 5'8" or so. Of course He was much more; He was God and Man; 100% of each. He was the Suffering Servant sent to rescue all mankind from sin.

Chapter 53 is known as the song of the Suffering Servant. Verses 4 and 5 concern Jesus' death. Crucifixion was the fate of criminals. The Jews believed God sent Him to this fate because He said that He was God's Son. His hands, feet, and side were pierced by nail and spear. He was indeed crushed by God and suffered the punishment for our sins (vs.5). He was in fact separated from His Father for us (See Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34). If He had not suffered that momentary separation we would have had to suffer it eternally.

Verse 8 says that He was "cut off from the land of the living." Jesus was only about 33 years old when He died on the cross.

Verse 9 cites His lack of sin and the fact that a rich man (Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish religious court) would provide His tomb.

Verse 12 closes with a picture of our salvation—"He bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors.

Next time: Zion at Peace

The People and the Servant

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Isaiah 50:1 - 52:12

God often used the marriage in describing His relationship with Israel. Early in chapter 50, He points out that He did not divorce the nation nor did He sell His children out of debt. Only they were to blame for their punishment. Why do they plea now, when in the past they ignored Him? God was citing Jewish law. In those days husband merely had to write his wife a letter of divorce and send her out the door. Children could be sold as servants to pay a father's debts.

Verses 4-9 form the third of the Servant Songs and reflect the words of the true Servant in contrast to the nation's silence. Then Isaiah speaks again—in their rebellion the people will blunder through the darkness by their own light and find destruction. (John will refer to Jesus as the One bringing true light into the darkness of the world (John 1:4-5)) The servant in verse 10 can mean Isaiah (to his contemporaries) and mean Christ to a later generation.

As chapter 51 begins; God encourages those seeking Him to remember Abraham, who was nothing until chosen by God. They are heirs to that blessing. God will not give them up. Restoration will come. Only Messiah will be able to fulfill the picture of salvation found throughout most of this chapter. Note that it will be God who accomplishes it all. Messiah will be more than just a man.

Jerusalem will suffer, but God will take away his "goblet" of anger (vs.17) and give it to their enemies (vs.23).

Then punishment will end! Chapter 52, verse 3 declares that the enemy has no right to Israel and there is no debt involved. Their redemption will come without a ransom of gold. St. Peter will say that their eternal redemption is in the blood of Christ (I Peter 1:18-19).

Verses 7-12 present a mixed vision. One appearing to refer to the salvation coming in Christ; one painting the second coming of Christ; and one the return from Babylon carrying the stolen temple vessels back to the temple (vs.11).

Next time: The Servant Further Described

The Servant Speaks Again

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Isaiah 48:16 - 49:26  

Verse 16 makes an interesting shift. The "me" here probably refers to the Messiah who will be evident in chapter 49. The shift in speaker also seems to reflect the Son, the Father, and the Spirit. If so, it is an Old Testament reference to the Trinity. If it is primarily meant to be the Messiah speaking, it also supports John's gospel which in the first chapter tells us that Christ was present and active in the creation. (John 1:1-3) Then the message shifts to reaffirm the coming deliverance by God (vs.20-22)..

Chapter 49 begins with what is known as the Second Servant Song (va.1-13). In verse 3 the servant is referred to as "Israel" but the nation never fulfilled God's expectations. Messiah would be the true Israel, the Servant that the nation could never be. The following verses are particularly clear references to Christ: 5 (to bring Jacob back to God); 6 (a light to the Gentiles); 7 (the despised one, the one abhorred by the nation).

The prophecy beginning in verse 14 must go beyond the restoration from Babylon. The scope of recue described here is much broader. This return may reflect the final days when the world will turn to God as Savior and Lord, or to the coming of Messiah who freed the entire world to worship the Lord. Perhaps the children coming from the nations will be the nations themselves along with Jews living throughout the world. Not only would God never leave His nation that was about to enter Babylon, God will never give up on them until the day of Christ's return.

Verses 24-26 provide Isaiah's contemporaries with a vivid description of the destruction of their enemies. This will happen because though God used these enemies to punish His people, they are still God's enemies and will be justly punished. It was their choice to destroy God's people and to reject God—He temporarily allowed their success for his purpose.

Why? Chapter 49 ends with "And all flesh will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Next time: The People and the Servant

 

 

    

Marduk will Fail

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Isaiah 46:1 – 48:15

Bel was another name for the Babylonian god, Marduk. Their other primary deity was Nebo, the supposed son of Marduk. These gods, formed by man's hands and carried on men's backs, were a useless burden to the people. On the other hand, the Israelite God carried His people and provided for them. Far from a burden, He was the one who protected and loved them. The "rebels" in verse 8 are not God's people, but the pagan Babylonians. Most think that the "bird of prey" in verse 11 is Cyrus. He will carry God's purpose that the Babylonians cannot stop

The pronouncement against Babylon continues in chapter 47. Verses 9 and 12-15 refer to the sorcery and astrology that Babylon loved (see also Ezekiel 21:21).

God's lack of regard for idols, astrologers, and sorcerers is clear in these chapters. The Babylonians were seeking truth from lies. They rejected the living God in favor of their own imaginings and self-praising power.

After his scathing pronouncement on Babylon, Isaiah delivers another message to Jerusalem. Verse 3 reminds the people that all of God's previous promises regarding them and their enemies have come to pass. Once again, His word will prove true.0 (vs.6).

There is an old story about the kid who was being punished for misbehaving. In the midst of his punishment, he said to his parent, "Do you love me?" The parent in the story replied, "Now is not a good time to ask that question." Unlike that parent, God never for a moment forgets His love for His people. Immediately after telling them about their unyielding rebellion, He begins His pronouncement of deliverance in verse 12. The "refining" (vs.10) will be completed and Babylon will fall. Though they will suffer at the hands of the enemy, God will rescue them at the right time.

Next time: The Servant Speaks Again

Again God’s Mercy

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Isaiah 44:1 - 45:25

Isaiah begins with the mercy of God (vs.1-8) toward His people. God the perfect chose Israel the imperfect. In Romans 5:8 St. Paul says, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He did not wait until we "got it together" as we might say today. Christ gave us Himself before we knew who He was.

Verses 12-20 cite the folly of idol worship. In our own time the verses apply to the false religions becoming accepted as Christianity's equals or even superiors, and to the worship of those things that we build with our own hands—bank accounts, job positions, family, sporty toys, etc. God's description of the false worshipper who cannot see the flaws in his practice is priceless!

To redeem something (vs.24) requires a price. God was willing to pay a price, His Son, in order to give His people the salvation that they could never deserve.

The false prophets influencing Judah's leaders and people were nothing in God's eyes. Their rosy predictions were lies. God would fulfill His promises delivered through His true prophets. (vs.26-28). Cyrus, who in the future would free God's people from Babylon, is mentioned by name here.

Chapter 45 describes Cyrus as God's "anointed" (vs.1). Though inspired by God to do His will, Cyrus did not believe in the Jews' God. God, however, has authority and power over all leaders and all nations whether they choose to serve Him or not (vs. 1-13)

Then begins a prophecy of the final days when all nations will come to spiritual Israel and proclaim the true God.

Verse 15 may refer to God's unknown plans, but verse 16 makes sense if the "hidden" God refers to the God not present in idols made with hands.

Verse 17 would be fulfilled in Christ. Through Him Israel's rescue would be eternal.

As chapter 45 ends God pleads with the nations to turn to Him for salvation. One day they will all bend their knee to Him as the only almighty God. St Paul quotes verse 23 in Philippians 2:10-11.

Next time: Marduk Will Fail

We Meet the Servant

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Isaiah 42:1 - 43:28

Chapter 42 contains the first of several passages (certainly verses 1-4 and probably verses 1-9) called Servant Songs because they center on the Messiah. Luke cited this passage when describing Jesus' compassion. (Luke 12:18-21) In part the servant verses could refer to a fulfilled Israel, but here the Servant is much more because verse 6 says that he will be a covenant with Israel as well as "a light" for the Gentiles (non-Jews) of the world.

Verses 10-13 are a call to praise God and a description of His work. Then God speaks. He has been patient and silent long enough, and will take action to restore His people.

The rest of chapter 42 is not a description of the servant Messiah. It tells of Israel, the failed servant. It explains why Jerusalem would fall. Many would not accept this charge until they reread it in Babylon.

Chapter 43 tells the people that though they have sinned, He will not abandon them. Even in the midst of their exile and punishment, He will be with them. He will bring them out on the other side; He is in control. Their political rescuer (Cyrus the Persian) will wreak havoc on their enemies.

In verses 5 -13 it seems that God will gather them together from exile in Babylon, but also gather them together later in His salvation.

Because of His provision even the wild animals recognize and honor God (vs.20-22). But His own people ignore the Lord. Still, in verse 25 God tells them that He will blot out their sin, but they must suffer for their rebellion.

Punishment in the midst of forgiveness may sound a little strange to us who live in the undemanding forgiveness of Christ.

If we look at God as a loving parent, the picture makes more sense. Most parents hate to punish their children for disobedience. They forgive their children immediately, but still punish them so that they may gain wisdom and grow into responsible adults. In this section we see God's own desire to forgive, and His commitment to the chastisement of His nation.

Next time: Again God's Mercy

Restoration for the World

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Isaiah 40:1 - 41:29

In 39 chapters Isaiah has announced the judgment of God upon His people and the nations of the world, though hope also shone through. Now in part two of Isaiah's writing God emphasizes restoration. Here also will be the clearest announcements of the coming Messiah. Not only does Isaiah have good news for the immediate restoration of God's people, he has words of comfort for all of mankind, past, present, and future.

Chapter 40 begins with the announcement that the punishment has ended, though exile to Babylon was still years in the future.

Some of the faithful remnant would hear these words and rejoice, but most of God's people would have rejected Isaiah's words. Life was good; everything was under control; punishment would not come, so why rejoice over a restoration? They still thought that Jerusalem, God's holy city, literally could not fall to an enemy. They believed that God was bound to protect His city and His house of worship. They believed this even though they totally rejected His authority over their lives. Does that attitude resound today also?

Not only will God restore His nation after their punishment is concluded, He will send a King to supersede all other kings. Verses 3-5 of chapter 40 were fulfilled in John the Baptist and in the coming of the Savior. Verses 9-11 announce the coming of the glorious God.

Verse 12 begins a description of God's power and might compared to man's, making clear His authority over all nations and peoples. Compared to the idols worshiped by even His own people—He lives! They do not (vs.18-20).

Chapter 40 ends with encouragement for the faithful—be sure to read vs.31.

In chapter 41 God speaks to the unbelieving nations surrounding His own. He is probably referring to Cyrus the Persian as the one who will come and triumph over them, including Babylon (verses 2-3). Verses 8-20 speak to God's nation with reassurance and promise. In verse 21 God turns to the idols of the enemy nations, challenging them to say anything of importance. In this He demonstrates their impotence and their non-existence.

Next time: We Meet the Servant