Tag Archives: Isaiah

Isaiah 63

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Isaiah 63 reminds us of God’s mercy and love. “I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”

These words apply to us. We have been called to be God’s children, in a demonstration of His love. We have been redeemed from the power of sin; through the afflictions of our saviour we have hope. 

Isaiah concludes the chapter by praying to God for mercy on Israel for their unfaithfulness. “You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name … We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.” He prays for God to return to them, “Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage”, to look down from heaven and see their affliction. 

We can have confidence that God will hear and have mercy on us, if we seek Him when we are lost, just as Isaiah did on behalf of Israel.

Isaiah 60

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Isaiah 60 describes a time that those who “shine as lights” are longing for; a time when God’s “light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you… nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising”.

There will be many camels bringing gifts, along with “good news, the praises of the Lord.” The gates of Jerusalem will be open night and day, so that people can freely come. “The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”

What an incredible change from the world today. A time when the whole world will “know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” This city will be so full of people shining as lights that “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light”. Let’s shine brightly now, looking forward to a future when all will shine, when “the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.”

Isaiah 58

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In Isaiah 58 we read God’s view on false worship. Israel sought God daily, “as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God”. They fasted, but for the wrong reasons. They humbled themselves, they kept the sabbath, but it was all a facade.

They had the wrong focus. God says “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” Rather than outward shows of serving God, He wanted them to take action in showing His love to those in need. If they did this, then God says “your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’”

Let’s take God’s advice, “pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted”. Then “the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Isaiah 56-57

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Isaiah 56 continues the theme of Isaiah 55, “the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord … these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer … my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”. There is a response required to this offer to attend God’s house, “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this”.

This glorious future is contrasted with the actions of the Jewish leaders, described as “beasts of the field, come to devour … they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way”. Bad leadership was often Israel’s downfall, and it’s a lesson to us to make sure we’re leaders who follow God’s way, nourishing and protecting.

Isaiah 57 concludes with hope, “he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain … thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity… I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Let’s be revived by our association with our God, developing a contrite and lowly spirit, which is the sacrifice that God desires.

Isaiah 55

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Isaiah 55 is such an inspirational chapter, consisting of an invitation and a promise, both of which are directed to us. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!” Everyone who seeks the water of life is invited to participate in this paradox of buying sustenance without money, the opportunity is not limited to Jews. We are encouraged not to spend our efforts on “that which does not satisfy”, but instead focus our attention on God. “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live”.

The prophecy indicates there is a limited period of availability, “seek the Lord while he may be found”, but during this period God will show mercy, “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Seek God initially, and return when we lose our way.

There is a promise, both to the veracity of God’s forgiveness, and a future improved from the current situation. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth”. God’s word was not given in vain, it will accomplish His purpose of bringing “many sons to glory”. Finally, the chapter concludes with a scene of the future. “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace… instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress… and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

Joshua 10, Isaiah 14

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Joshua 10 describes God working with Israel to defeat their enemies, the 5 kings of the Amorites. It was an incredible situation. Adoni-zedek, fearing Israel after their battle against Ai, preemptively attacks Gibeon due to their alliance with Israel. Joshua and the army of Israel march all night, fight a battle early in the morning, then pursue their enemies as they fled. God had told Joshua. “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you”.

Not only did God help the Israelites fight a battle of overwhelming odds, he sends massive hailstones on the fleeing army, and “there were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword”. Furthermore, God even lengthened the day to give Israel time to finish killing off the Amorites, “the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.” This shows us how far God was willing to God to help Israel.

Isaiah 14 describes God’s mercy, “for the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land.” There would come a time when “the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and hard service”. Even when Israel had strayed from serving God, He was watching over them. What an incredible example of God’s mercy, the same mercy that He extends to us.

Ecclesiastes 5

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Ecclesiastes 5 offers some advice on the importance of listening. “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools”. James quotes this in James 1v19, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”.

Amongst all the advice we’re given, listening carefully doesn’t feature prominently, but the way we listen is a good indicator of our relationship. With someone we barely know, listening is very superficial, their words soon forgotten. But we pay careful attention to the words of someone we know well or want to know better. The same applies to our relationship with God – listening carefully is an important aspect.

Jesus used the phrase “he who has ears to hear, let him hear”. A bit of hyperbole, since we all have ears, but attentive listening can easily be neglected in today’s busy world.  Unlike Israel, who “with their ears they can barely hear”, we have the chance to really hear and understand, “blessed are… your ears, for they hear”. So let’s take the time to “draw near to listen”, both to the needs of each other, and also the “wisdom from above”.

Isaiah 49

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Isaiah 49 offers us some insight into the prophet Isaiah. He was called from before birth to be God’s prophet, to guide Israel back to God. Even with this divine calling, Isaiah sometimes had self-doubt, yet still relied on God for strength in these times. “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God”.

Parts of this chapter also applies to Christ, and the salvation we have through him. The one who would “bring back the preserved of Israel” would also be “a light for the nations, that [God’s] salvation may reach to the end of the earth“.

There will come a time when “all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob”. Let us focus on being like Christ, a light to those around us, relying on God’s strength and looking forward to that future time of restoration.

Jude, Isaiah 44

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Jude warns about the need to persevere in the last days, “building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life“.

This hope of mercy and eternal life is built on a unique guarantee. God says “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god…Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it?”  There is only one God that created us, who stretched out the heavens; He has promised He will redeem Israel. “I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me“.

Isaiah writes of this redemption as if it had already happened, so certain was he that it would happen. “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob“. So let’s take Jude’s advice, build up our faith, confident in God’s impending mercy and redemption.

 

Isaiah 42, 1 John 5

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In Isaiah 42, the message of comfort continues. “Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you”.

The same God that created the heavens, that gives us life, has called us to be like Him, and will be with us on the way. Through God we can overcome the world by reflecting the love He showed us. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith“.

John concludes “we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true”. Let us use that understanding to serve and honour God, having confidence He will hear us.