Isaiah 57:11-13 – The call to trust only God

God through the prophet Isaiah had warned the leaders of Judah, calling them dreamers, muted and greedy dogs, and ignorant, uncaring shepherds. They were indicted for indulging in ways that gratified their self-serving appetite. Meanwhile, the righteous and devout were being graciously removed from the evil and violence as the whole nation became insensitive to what God was doing. Then in Isaiah 57:3-10, God warned Judah of the danger of engaging in idolatry and occult which He detests. In Isaiah 57:11-13, He warned them against the impending harsh judgment.

 

Judah continued in their idolatry and occult practices and flirted with foreign powers because of their needless fear of men. They should have trusted God, but they did not give God a thought, for He seemed to be silent. Because God did not speak with them as He should, made them lose their fear for Him. So ironically, God told them that He would pronounce righteousness, yet they would not be profited by it. In verse 13, God then sarcastically told them to cry to the idols for help knowing that none of them would come to their rescue. Their cry would all amount to nothing. Meanwhile, those who trusted in the LORD and took refuge in Him would inherit the land.

 

There is a definite contrast between God and other means that man relied on for help. It is clear that besides God, nothing we rely on would be of any help. If we want to avoid or overcome divine wrath and judgment, the only way is to return to trust God. Only He can help. Other means that we seek will fail us miserably. But when we place our trust in the Lord, He will prosper our ways. He is the only true God!

Isaiah 57:3-10 –Do not be involved in the occult or idolatry

We saw in our last discussion how God warned against poor and deficient leadership. In Isaiah 57:3-10, God then warned about being involved in idolatry and the occult. These are two things that the Bible clearly tells us that God detests. He abhors idolatry as well as occult practices. Why? Because idolatry and occult practices have to do with the spirit world of darkness. Both deal deceptively with the people claiming to be able to do the things that only God alone can do. No wonder God showed such strong objection in Isaiah 57:3-10.  

God referred to his hearers as “sons of sorceress” and offspring of adulterer and prostitute. They of all people had the audacity to make fun of those who were faithful to God. They mocked and jest at them when they themselves were offspring of rebellion. In their secret arts, they were murdering innocent children in their wide-ranging occultic practices.  

Verses 5-8 reveal that they flirted with idolatry everywhere, among oak trees, among luxuriant trees, in the ravines, on the mountains, and every conceivable secret place. They would offer both drink and grain offerings to the idols instead of to the true God. They chose to distance themselves from God, and practice child sacrifice, and even engaged in sexual immorality. In verse 9, God charged them for going all out to solicit the alliance of foreign powers and was willing even to be deluded by a false sense of security.  How foolish!

All the while, the Bible tells us that our conflicts in life are not physical but spiritual in nature. Our battle in life is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. The good news is that we are armed with a weapon to tear down stronghold and every vain and lofty imagination of the mind. So let us stand firm, put on the whole armor of God, and resist every work of the evil one. Take heart, we are on the victory side. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 56:9-57:2 – In need of great leadership

From the prophecy of the Messiah’s mission and the impact in Isaiah 53-54, to a series of invitations to enjoy the effect of His work, Isaiah now turned to a series of warnings for Judah. He began with the leadership in Isaiah 56:9-57:2. Though God is in control, human leadership matters. They are the ones who should guide, guard, and care for the people to ensure their wellbeing. Unfortunately for Judah, she had deficient leaders. Isaiah described them as blind and ignorant. In the impending attack of Judah’s enemies referred to as beasts of the field and forest, the leaders of Judah did not even sound a warning. The leaders of Judah were described as blind watchmen, mute dogs who could not bark, and ignorant, self-serving shepherds with no clue on what to do for the people. Here we see a series of indictments pronounced on them. 

The first indictment was that they were slumbering dreamers. Such leaders had grand ideas that only existed in their dreams. But in terms of doing something to accomplish their dreams, they were passive and nonchalant. The second indictment was that they were self-serving, like a greedy dog that was never satisfied. The third indictment was that they were self-aggrandizing, ignorant shepherds. Their one activity was to grab more and more for themselves. Their routine would be the same every day. These leaders did not warn the people but instead were indulging in their self-aggrandizement. Hence the nation became dull and insensitive to what was happening. Isaiah 57:1 said that the righteous among them were perishing and not even one person was aware of what was happening. The devout were disappearing yet no one took notice. The righteous ones were removed so that they need not succumb to evil. Isaiah 57:2 shows that instead of allowing them to suffer the evil of persecution and violent death, God granted them rest in their death.    

The quality of the human leaders in the church matters. To a large degree, the well-being of her members depends on the quality of the leaders who are assigned to look after their welfare. Here God decries slumbering and self-serving leaders who are not fulfilling their commission. They failed to warn of evil and were ignorant of impending dangers. The pertinent questions to ask if we are a leader are: (1) what sort of a leader am I? (2) Am I a responsible leader? (3) What am I lacking that I need to do so that I can be a more effective leader? Let us raise the standard of our leadership for the sake of God’s people and His kingdom! The Kingdom of God deserves the best leadership we can offer.

Isaiah 56:1-8 – Keeping the Sabbath and honoring God’s house

In Isaiah 53 the prophet foresaw the mission of the Messiah and the sufferings He was made to go through to bring about redemption. Isaiah 54 went on to discuss the impact of the Messiah’s mission, followed by issuing a series of challenges for those anticipating redemption. Here in Isaiah 56:1-8, the prophet called on them to cultivate a life in alignment with God’s instructions in the light of the coming deliverance.  Those who desire to enter more fully into the blessings of the work of the Messiah were told to faithfully observe the law. While they were encouraged to live a just and righteous life forsaking evil, God was particularly concerned with the observation of the Sabbath.  Why is God particularly concerned with the Sabbath? Because it is a day to remind us of our God. It is a day that He Himself rested from labor. And a day set apart to connect with God and restfully enjoy the presence and peace of God.

Two groups of people were specially addressed in verses 3-6, the foreigners and eunuchs. The foreigners who were excluded from the assembly before by the laws (Deuteronomy 23) would be allowed to freely participate in worship when the Messiah comes. The eunuchs, those who set themselves apart to be fully consecrated to God, were promised a place of honor in God’s presence and house. In fact, God would accord honor in His house to these two groups of people. Besides these two groups, God would bring in others and they would be welcomed into His house which would be a house of prayer. Both the Jews and Gentiles would be welcomed to gather in this house and become a united people in the Lord. They would experience joy in the house and God would accept their offerings.   

Two things God said in this passage that we ought to pay attention to. The first concerns not profaning the Sabbath. It is a day to be hallowed. What we do on our rest day matters. God expects us to rest and make it a day to connect with Him. For many, the rest day seems to be an even busier day than any other day in the week. It’s a day they catch up on what they could not accomplish on the other days. Hence, they miss out on an excellent opportunity to worship God and enjoy His presence. Then we have the issue of the things done in the house of God. He said that it shall be called a “House of Prayer.” Of all the activities done, the house of God is a place to seek Him. Do not make it a place of social gathering or a place for business transactions. Be sure to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. And when we are in the church be sure to pray. We will be blessed when we keep the Sabbath holy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 55:8-13 – Why seek the Lord?

God had invited the people to seek Him and to experience His pardon and blessings. Impossible as the acceptance by God might seem for a people in deep bondage and despairing, these verses suggest that there is nothing impossible with God. Here reasons are given why seeking the Lord is the best course of action in life.   

Firstly, seekers should consider the fact that God’s ways and thoughts far outweigh man’s, for they are far higher than man’s thoughts and ways. Man is finite and how can he fully fathom and comprehend the infinite thoughts and ways of God? For emphasis to show that there is simply no comparison, Isaiah illustrated it with the vast gulf between heaven and earth. That is how widely differing are man’s thoughts and ways to God’s. Here we get a picture of how impossible it is for man to fathom the ways of God with their minds. Hence to use man’s ways and thoughts to evaluate and explain God’s plan is foolhardy. Spiritual truths according to Paul are spiritually discerned. The wonderful news is that God has now revealed them to us thr0ugh His Spirit for those (us) who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Secondly, Isaiah said seekers should consider the ability of God’s words to fulfill His intended purpose. Just as the earth is kept moist by the rain and snow to enable the cultivation of crops on earth, so also will God’s words tenderize seekers’ hearts, so that His purpose and intention could be fulfilled in them who come to Him in humility.   

Thirdly, the prophet suggests that seekers should consider the impact of responding to God’s invitation. Two things will happen. They shall experience joy and be led forth in peace. They will experience freedom and liberty as God’s redeemed. Here we see a picture of great contentment. No more will they be plagued with memories of their sorrowful past. And what they experience will be a testimony of the compassion of the Lord.  

So let us return to the call of Isaiah 55:6. We must “Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.” And as we do so, we leave behind our past, return to the Lord and embrace His ever-ready forgiveness. Let’s come with hearts like vessels to His ever-flowing stream and experience the joy, peace, and liberty of a freely forgiven life. Praise and thank the Lord!

Isaiah 55:6-7 – Strike while the iron is hot

In the earlier verses of Isaiah 55, God issued an invitation to all to come and participate in His blessings. He promised to give water, wine, and milk without price. Abundant life, joy, and spiritual sustenance are experiences everyone cannot afford not to have. Yet these are experiences everyone can afford because they are given free of charge to all. While it is offered free of charge, only those who are willing to seek the Lord can participate in the blessings.

Hence everyone regardless of race and background can partake of God’s promised blessings of life, joy, and sustenance. But the only condition required of anyone who intends to participate in the blessings will be one’s willingness to seek the Lord earnestly. One should not think that approaching God casually or nonchalantly is enough, but to seek Him earnestly, meaning coming with the intention to submit totally to Him to do His will.

 

Repentance is a pre-requisite when one comes seeking the Lord. In verse 7, repentance is clearly defined for us. There must be a forsaking of one’s wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. And then there must be a turning to the Lord. When one comes to the Lord with that attitude and heart, a pardon will be ensured. For the Lord who offers this is a compassionate God.  

 

However, do notice that this offer of grace will not be forever. We need to seek the Lord while He may be found. Verse 6 suggests that one cannot afford to take God’s grace for granted for there will come a time when He can no longer be found. There is such a thing as a moment of decision. Here God is calling on us to strike while the iron is hot. An ironsmith knows this full well. For when the heat in an iron that is heated has dissipated, it will be impossible to bend the iron anymore. When God’s convicting power is working, we need to seize the moment before it fizzles off. Carpe diem! Don’t let that moment pass! Strike while the iron is hot!         

Isaiah 55:1-5 - Divine sustenance is promised in Christ

In Isaiah 55 we see a divine invitation to partake of the blessings of God. Just as He had invited the people of Judah to come and taste of His mercy, He is also extending this invitation to all who hunger after them. Here He promises water, wine, and milk, symbols of spiritual life, joy, and provision.

Remember Jesus promises that those who believe in Him shall experience rivers of flowing water gushing from his inner being. Now life, abundant life is what we will have when we come to Christ. We know that wine has always been a symbol of joy and this is one of the fruits of a spirit-led life, according to Paul in Galatians 5:22. When God took the Israelites out of Egypt, He promised to take them to a land flowing with milk and honey. It is a promise of provision. Bread and milk are used to symbolize spiritual nourishment. So here we see abundant life, joy, and spiritual nourishment are all made available in Christ. All these are available to us free of charge. They come by the grace of God, making them freely and abundantly available to all who will come to Him.   

The condition that can drive us to seek the promised water, wine, and milk will be an inner desire. It is true that our strongest actions in life are where our desire stirs the deepest. However, we, like many others, tend to desire after things that can never satisfy our inner longings. So here God admonishes us in verse 2 not to spend our effort, time, and money chasing after what can never satisfy when He has made what can satisfy readily available to us in the Messiah. In verses 2-3, we see the pre-requisites prescribed if we are to obtain these blessings. We need to draw near with a listening ear and a yearning heart. Once we do that, we will enter into an eternal covenant and experience the sure mercies of David.  

How to make sense of all these promises God has made in these verses? The last part of verse 3 gives us the hint. The key is in the everlasting covenant God will make with us in the Messiah from the linage of David. Of course, He is none other than Jesus Christ our Lord. In Him, the faithful mercies shown to David will culminate. And He will be the witness, the leader, and the commander of His people. He will be the attraction that nations will be drawn to and willingly embrace His leadership and mission.

God has made all these spiritual blessings in Christ for us His children. What can make us receive them is spiritual hunger and thirst. Isn’t this what Christ said in one of the “Be attitudes”? He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” The provisions of God are there in Christ, but do we hunger and thirst after them?  We must draw near with a listening ear and a yearning heart. We shall be satisfied in His presence!

Isaiah 54:11-17 – In Christ, victorious living is made possible

The Jerusalem that underwent a ravaging time would be restored. God promised that. Earlier He challenged the holy city and her people to stay confident in Him. Here He assured them that He would reset the foundation of the city and made it firm. It would be a city set with splendid materials such as sapphire, rubies, crystals, and precious stones.  From the gate to the fort and the gates and walls, this ornamental city would be so well laid that it would be firm, sure, and beautiful. Isaiah was alluding to the church of the redeemed. We conclude thus, because Revelation 21:19-21, referring to the church, the New Jerusalem, said, “The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”

Verses 13-15 assured that the children of this city would be endowed with exceptional knowledge, taught by the Lord Himself. They would be marked for greatness by the Lord and be established in righteousness. Besides, they would be free from fear because all oppressions would be removed. And no terror would draw near. God Himself would not attack them and would ensure that every attack on them would not succeed. This is a promise of security where peace and prosperity will be experienced. Being in sovereign control of man’s affair, God will make sure that nothing will affect Jerusalem and her people’s well-being. The church of the redeemed is safe because God is her protector.

The often-quoted verse 17 re-enforced the promise of security for the church and God’s people. He guarantees that:

“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed;
And you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their vindication is from Me”.

In other words, no sword, spear, nor the instrument of torture, and yes, not even words shall be able to affect the redeemed. Every word of condemnation will be nullified but the truth of God resides in the church. This is the rightful inheritance in Christ the Messiah for all of God’s people. Consequently Paul declared boldly in Romans 8:37-39 saying, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Let us not lower our dignity and live below what we are made to be. With heads held high let us live as victorious people of the Kingdom regardless of the circumstances of life. We are more than conquerors in Christ!

  

 

  

 

Isaiah 54:4-10 - Stay confident in God!

 In Psalm 103:8-11, we are reminded of God’s graciousness. The Psalmist said:-

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
He will not always contend with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.

Similarly, these truths are evidently clear as we read Isaiah 54:4-10. Judah, as we have learned, had disappointed Him time and again. Despite their waywardness in so many ways, God still chose not to leave them in their destitute state. His enduring love for them would not allow them to remain unfaithful to Him. So He dealt with them to align their relationship with Him. God allowed calamities upon calamities to come upon them to straighten them. He did it because of His desire to bring them to the end of themselves, to realize how bankrupt they were without Him. Then to bring them back into a renewed relationship with Him.    

Here in these verses, we see God calling the people of Judah to return to their confidence in Him. He promised that the sufferings they had experienced would be removed from them. The shame of their youth and the disgrace of their captivity would be erased. They were separated from Him for a season like a wife estranged from her husband. In comparison with His patience and compassion toward them, the sufferings they had experienced would be considered short. His great compassion for them would not leave them in their desperate condition. He chose to deal with their waywardness and draw them back to Himself. In God’s graciousness, He would restore Judah’s relationship with Him again. This restored union with Him would have great ramifications. The impact would be like the Noahic covenant where God had promised never to destroy His people again. Just as the covenant with Noah was irrevocable, God’s covenant with His people would also be irrevocable too. God was assuring Judah and her people of His everlasting love for them.

Like Judah, no matter how hard our circumstances may be, no matter how spiritually barren we may feel, God is there waiting for us. We will also soon realize that the trials we have experienced are considerably shorter in comparison with God’s patience and compassion for us. He only allows us to experience trials to bring us to the end of ourselves. The sooner we realize how incapable we are to deal with them without Him, the sooner we will be driven to seek Him again. No matter how far we have strayed from Him, He wants us to return in repentance to Him confidently! So don’t delay!

Isaiah 54:1-3 – Let’s be Kingdom builders

In Isaiah 53, we saw how Messiah went through a whole array of sufferings. What He had accomplished through His sufferings should stimulate positive responses from those He had redeemed through HIs works.  Though Isaiah did not specify who he was addressing, we conclude that he was addressing the redeemed of the Lord. In both Isaiah 35:10 and 51:11, he said that the redeemed of the Lord shall return to Zion with everlasting joy upon their heads. This message of Isaiah though spoken to Judah is also meant for us the church of Jesus Christ today, for we Christians are the redeemed of the Lord. Ephesians made it clear that Christ has lavished His love on us, redeemed us, and made us sons and daughters of God.   

Prior to what Messiah had done, Judah was likened to a barren, infertile woman. She was sent into exile in Babylon. And in captivity, her population dwindled and decreased in number. But the situation had changed since Messiah’s accomplished work, she had been redeemed. And the number of the redeemed would increase. So Judah was called to anticipate the result and be joyful.

This is prophetic of the church. It tells us that the family whom Christ’s finished work has redeemed will increase. For the message of hope in the Messiah will spread across the nations and give birth to numerous spiritual babies. This will bring an increase to the family of the redeemed. So the call is for the church to have an enlarged vision. For the message of redemption will spread across the nations even to remote cities of the earth, bringing in people into the kingdom that Christ has established at His first coming.

Beloved, our calling into God’s kingdom is not just to touch it but to enlarge it. What are we doing to collaborate with Christ to enlarge the family? Let us bring our resources to the work God has called us to do. Be they our time, talents, or treasures, we must be willing to offer them to the Lord for the expansion of His Kingdom. We must take part in the programs of Kingdom building!  

Isaiah 53:10-12 – Sharing Christ’s triumph

These final three verses of Isaiah 53 set the tone for the climate of the Messiah’s suffering. It resulted in His triumph and glory. God was pleased to crush Him, causing Him great pain and grief. But He on His part was willing to offer Himself as a sin offering so that the purpose of God could be accomplished. In giving Himself as a guilt offering, the fruit of His sacrifice was realized. The act of atonement opened the way for those who believe in Him to be reconciled to God, referred to as “off-spring.” Paul in Ephesians 1:5 tells us that God “…predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” This was made possible by Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Earlier in Isaiah 53:8, we are told that Messiah would “be cut off from the land of the living.” This inferred His death. Then in verse 10, we are told that His life will be prolonged. This we see in the resurrection of Christ. God raised Him from the dead. Everything Christ had done pleased God and brought great satisfaction to Him.

Verses 11-12 speak of the accomplishment of the Messiah’s atoning sacrifice. His sacrifice not only brought Him delight to Himself but also justification to many. For in His sacrifice He became the sin-bearer for those who would believe in Him and took the punishment due to them. What Christ had done pleased God who now apportioned Him a place among the great. In His accomplished work, He became a mighty conqueror so now we, His followers, could share the effect of His triumph. We now join Him to enjoy the spoil of His victory. His death and resurrection had mitigated our wrong and earn our acceptance with God. Praise God, He now lives to make intercession for us.      

Hebrews 12:2 encapsulates Isaiah 53:10-12 for us. It says, Christ “…who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What was the joy that made Him endure such intense suffering? He saw in what He had done believers’ reconciliation with God. God’s heart is for us to know Him and experience His goodness. Without removing our sins we would not be able to come close. Christ’s atoning sacrifice made it possible for God to forgive our sin and make us His children. He became sin for us so that we can become the righteous sons and daughters of God. Praying that this deep love that Christ has for us will stir up our gratitude to respond and love Him in return, freely and fully from an awakened heart.

Isaiah 53:7-9 – Christ took the condemnation due to us

In three verses, Isaiah portrayed the meekness and submissiveness of the Messiah. He painted how unjustly Jesus Christ was treated to accomplish God’s purpose. Three aspects of what Jesus went through are being described briefly in these three verses. Firstly, in Isaiah 53:7, we are told that He was submissive and silent before His accusers. In saying that He was silent, Isaiah was merely saying that He did not protest or retaliate in the face of His unjust trials. Even in facing the certainty of death, the Messiah made no attempt to defend Himself. He was like a sheep being led to the slaughter, yet remained meek, silent, and submissive throughout.  

Secondly, in Isaiah 53:8 the prophet speaks of Christ’s unjust trials and sentence which  He had to endure alone. This was affirmed in the Gospel where we saw Christ standing alone to face the accusations hurled against Him before the High Priest Caiaphas, the governor Pilate, and King Herod. No one came to His defense. He had to stand and face the harsh judgment all by Himself. No one cared about the miscarriage of justice. Even as He was being led away to be executed, no one attached any significance to His death. No one gave any thought to His seeming untimely death at so young an age. However, what He did, accomplished perfectly the purpose to which God had sent Him to do. He came to bear the consequence of the transgressions which people would otherwise have to bear. In being cut off from the land of the living, He delivered His people from death, the wages due to sin.  

 

Thirdly in Isaiah 53:9, the prophet gave hint about the Messiah’s humble grave. In His death, Jesus was assigned among wicked men. The Bible made it clear that the consequence of sin is death. But Christ as the sinless perfect Son of God could not die. But in becoming man, He took our wicked sin upon Himself to die in our place. In this sense, He had made His grave among the wicked. However, we know from the Gospel that He was buried in the grave of a rich man. This was fulfilled when Joseph of Arimathea came to Pilate and requested for the dead body of Christ. In Matthew 27:57 we are told that Joseph was a rich man. He had a new tomb hewn from the rock and the body of Jesus was buried there. Isn’t it amazing that Isaiah could foretell all these hundreds of years before they happened? It had to be the work of God.

 

Out of the worst evil of man, God brought about the greatest good. Out of the greatest tragedy in human history, God brought about the noblest accomplishment and the salvation of mankind. If not for Jesus, His ministry, and His finished works at Calvary, we would forever have been lost. In gratitude now let us never outlive our love for Him. Don’t just love Him, make sure that we also serve Him all the rest of our lives!   

Isaiah 53:4-6 – Christ suffered on our behalf

Isaiah 53 verse 2 said that the Messiah would be despised and abandoned. Mankind  would reject and hide their face from Him. On the account of His sufferings and humiliation they would despise, reject, and abandon Him and turn their back on Him in contempt. In rejecting the Messiah Isaiah 53:4-5 tell us that those who thought in that way had erred. They had failed to realize that He was bearing the sufferings, sicknesses, and sins on mankind’s behalf. The sinless Messiah had nothing intrinsic in Himself that deserved all that He had gone through. He was carrying the consequences of the sins of mankind, ours included. Yet we, whom He had endured the sufferings for, considered that He deserved the sufferings for His own misdeeds. We failed to realize that it was for our sin that He was smitten of God. He stood in our place to be grievously humiliated and struck down by God.

 

The wounds He was inflicted with were for our transgressions. The punishment for our sins was laid on Him. This Messiah willingly subjected Himself to be crushed for our wrongdoings. It was what He went through that brought our healing. He brought us our right standing with God, bringing wholeness to our spirit, soul, and body. He had vicariously taken the punishment due to us so that we could be redemptively reconciled to God.  He made it possible for God to accept us.   

 

Verse 6 leaves us with no doubt that the punishment the Messiah went through was for us. For we all were like straying sheep, listlessly and aimlessly wandering farther and farther from God. Every one of us, until Christ came into our life, was unconcerned for our sin and how our wrongdoings offended God. In His goodness and grace, God had allowed the Messiah to bear all our wrongdoings. In His sufferings, we strayed sheep can now find our redemption through Him. Instead of griefs, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, turmoil, sicknesses, we now can have the peace, joy, health, and wholeness in God.  

 

In Christ Jesus, we see all this realized. He became our substitute and took the punishment that was due to us. He intentionally became our substitute. To feel the impact of what Christ had done for us, let’s hear how Eugene Patterson in the Message had so succinctly paraphrased these three verses:

“But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
    our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
    that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
    that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
    Through his bruises, we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
    We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
    on him, on him.”

How can we ever repay our Lord for all that He had done for us? Nothing short of a hundred percent commitment is a worthy response for all that He had vicariously carried for us. In gratitude let us commit to living for Him, and living to serve His purpose. That’s the only appropriate response! Let’s do it!  

 

 

Isaiah 53:1-3 – To hear, believe and live God’s message

In his description of the Suffering Messiah, the prophet in Isaiah 53:1 asked two rhetorical questions. The first question “Who would believe our reports?” suggests that the prophet was perplexed and only a few would believe the messengers of God who came proclaiming about this Servant of God. The second question “And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” The arm of the Lord here is the symbol of God’s power. Here Isaiah was referring to the power of God with which this Messiah would be endowed and operating. This second question suggests that despite the power of the Lord working through Him, demonstrating the wonders of God, He would not be embraced and believed. Why? Verses 2-3 show us the reasons.    

It was because of His humble origin described briefly in verse 2. Many did not expect the Messiah to come in such a lowly and humble status. In the minds of many, Messiah would come majestically like a  triumphant king. But unlike the status that a king would be entitled to, this Servant originated from a very ordinary family. He just came forth like an ordinary tender shoot forcing its way through the dry and parched ground. One would expect royalty to hail from a palace, yet this Messiah was accorded no such privilege or royal status. He was born in unflattering circumstances with no pomposity. That made Him unattractive and unappealing to warrant any attention.

Isaiah went on in verse 3 to speak about His rejection and abandonment. What this Messiah would be accustomed to would be pain, sorrow, and grief. He would be despised and rejected and one in whom people would hide their faces. This was what John in his Gospel said of our Lord Jesus. John 1:11 affirmed this saying, ^“He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him.” In many other passages of the four New Testament Gospels, we saw how Jesus the Messiah was rejected, accused, and despised.

Faith and belief are fundamental to our progress in God. If what God has spoken is to profit us and bring about growth, then faith and belief are critical elements to nurture. Hebrews 11:6 affirms that saying, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Only and until we have responded positively and obediently act upon what we have heard, then can we say that we have believed. Remember faith without corresponding action is not faith, it is only mental assent. Accepting Jesus is just the first step. It is only until we walk the path of discipleship that our faith is built and demonstrated.  We must not only hear God’s message, but we must also believe and live the message. This is vital to our spiritual growth!

 

Isaiah 52:13-15 – Hallelujah, What a Saviour!

When we come to Isaiah 52:13, there is a clear change in the subject being discussed. Judah’s Babylonian captivity and her deliverance depicted earlier were merely events that set the groundworks for the greatest event of history i.e. the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and ultimate Servant. From Isaiah 52:13 onwards right through to the end of Isaiah 53, the life, suffering, and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ are clearly alluded to. In nowhere else in the Old Testament is His suffering and ministry more clearly presented. Though in Isaiah 52:13-53:12 we have the suffering of God’s Messiah depicted, let us take time and contemplate these verses.

Here in Isaiah 52:13-15, we see the accomplishment of the Messianic Servant’s mission alluded to. Verse 13 forthrightly speaks of His success. The prophet said in no uncertain term that this Messianic Servant would prosper, that He would be “high and lifted up and greatly exalted.” Judah’s mighty deliverance from Babylon had astonished many, in the same way, the accomplishment of this Servant of God would be equally baffling, if not more.

Verse 14 briefly alluded to Christ Jesus' disfigurement. It is said that “His appearance was marred beyond that of a man, and His form beyond the sons of mankind.” Christ was tortured and tormented to a point where his face and body were clearly disfigured. In verse 15 the Servant’s accomplishment is highlighted. Referring to His cleansing, the verse said, “He will sprinkle many nations.” His blood, more efficacious than the blood of the Old Testament sacrificial lamb, will cleanse mankind of the condemnation of their sin and guilt-ridden conscience. This He would do to fulfill His priestly ministry. The kings of the earth would be left speechless in awe and wonder at what He had accomplished. What they would experience were things not seen or told them beforehand. Yet everything would be clearly understood by them.

What grace! How can we not love Him?  Listen to the words of Philip P. Bliss an American Hymn writer and Gospel singer who wrote and sang the Hymn – Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

 

Man of Sorrows! what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood;
sealed my pardon with his blood.
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
spotless Lamb of God was he;
full atonement can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Lifted up was he to die;
"It is finished!" was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Isaiah 52:7-12 – Staying on course with the Good News

In these verses, Isaiah envisioned God’s messengers sprinting over the mountains of Judah to proclaim good news to Jerusalem. The prophet was delighted to hear the sounds of messengers running towards Jerusalem with the message of peace and joyful news of salvation. The running implied how eager they were to make known the joyous news. The watchmen watching the progression of events were in exhilaration for they saw God coming to reign in Zion. They shouted with great delight for they knew with certainty that He would restore Zion. What God did for Jerusalem was to unfold His ultimate plan so that the watching world could see, acknowledge Him, and experience His salvation.

While these verses speak of the restoration of Jerusalem, they tell us of the ultimate news of salvation found in Jesus Christ. It is a message of the certainty of peace and the hope of salvation. Paul in Roman 10:15 quoted Isaiah 52:7. The part of a person’s anatomy God assesses us interestingly is not our face but our feet. The loveliness of a believer is found in his willingness to share the good news of Jesus Christ to bring peace and salvation to the hearers. The Gospel of Christ brings reconciliation with God and ensures one’s peace.

In verses 11-12,  the captives were told to depart from Babylon. As they went forth, they were urged to purify themselves. They should not bring with them the unclean vessels of their captors. They were urged to go out from their captivity restfully and with dignity. God guaranteed their safety for He would not only be their vanguard but also their rear guard. It is possible for us who have embraced the Lordship of Jesus Christ, turn our back to the world, yet bearing the conduct and habits of the world. Like the remnants, we are called not to bring along the unholy vessel of our past as we journey this new life in the Lord. Remember, He said in Luke 9:62, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” We must leave our past behind no matter how attractive and lovely they may seem. Let us stay the course! We will not regret it.

Isaiah 52:1-6 – Overcoming insecurity and dejection

Beginning from Isaiah 51:9 to Isaiaih 52:6, we see a series of three wake-up calls being made. The first described in Isaiah 51:9-16, the second is found in 51:17-23. In Isaiah 52:1-6 we come to the third wake-up call. In the first call, the arm of the Lord was implored to intervene to bring comfort back to Zion. The second call was made picturing Jerusalem as a drunkard but not with wine but the cup of God’s wrath. Here in this call, she was to sober up and hear God’s promise of deliverance from the hand of Babylon. She was told that she would never again experience the same torment again.

In this third call in Isaiah 52:1-6, Jerusalem was promised that her slave’s status would be reversed. Here an invitation was made to Jerusalem to arise and return to her strength and to change into the beautiful garment she was expected to adorn. She was called to shake off the gathered dust and break the chain resulting from her slavery. Jerusalem was to live in the liberty that she was made to live. Notice Jerusalem is referred to as the Holy City. And in this Holy City, no uncircumcised or unclean person would be allowed to enter in.

Not a cent was paid by Babylon to acquire Judah, therefore, no redemption price was required for her release. They just had to release Judah at the command of the Lord God of Israel. Just like they were released from the bondage of the Egyptians and the Assyrians, God promised that they would also be released by Babylon. For none of these nations had paid anything to earn the right to possess Judah, not Egypt, neither did Assyria and certainly not Babylon. Hence, they had no right to hold on to God’s people. The Lord furthermore voiced His objection that the enemies of Judah should disparage and blaspheme His name continually. What He would do to deliver His people would make them truly recognize who He truly was to them. They would know Him as they ought to. He would be the only one who had the right to speak.

For insecure and dejected Judah, it was almost impossible for them to find the strength to overcome the dejection. Thankfully, we see the call of the Lord urging them to return to the strength that can be found in Him. He is always available for His people. When we come to our wit’s end, repent, and return to the Lord, we find Him ever ready to come to our assistance. Like Judah, none of us by ourselves has the strength to overcome our dejection. But the moment we realize whose we are and that our Lord who dwells within us has the power to help us overcome, we will find the strength to be overcomers. This is God’s promise to us believers. In Philippians 4:13 as the Apostle Paul proclaimed, "we truly can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Yes, we can rely on Him to overcome our fear and insecurity. Thanks be to God!

Isaiah 51:17-23 – Don’t take God’s goodness for granted

In Isaiah 51:17, Jerusalem is portrayed as a drunken but not with wine but the anger of the Lord. She had drunk of the cup of the Lord’s wrath. The word “dregs” tells us that they drank up even the very last residue of the wrath of God. It suggests that they had tested and tried God to the limit. And just like wine that would cause an intoxicated person to reel under its effect, Jerusalem was reeling under the effect of God’s wrath.

Drained of strength, Jerusalem is seen here reeling, staggering, and falling like a drunkard, with no one to support, guide, or direct her. Why? Verses 18-20 implied that her youths were deported and the city ruined by famine and sword. In the siege of Jerusalem, many of her youths were deported to Babylon leaving no young people to support her. On top of that, the city was ruined by famine and the attack of the Babylonians. Verse 20 said that many young men not taken away fainted in the siege and some like antelopes trapped in a net were of no help. The nation was suffering and spinning under the wrath of God. Despite her predicament, God here called on them to rouse themselves from their drunken stupor. Here we sense a call for Jerusalem to sober up. If only they realized that their pitiful state was brought on by their own making. It would have been avoided had they heeded the call of God and remained faithfully trusting Him.

In verses 21-23 we see God extending His grace. Undeserving as they were, God assured Jerusalem of His deliverance. He would intervene in her quandary. He promised that He would rescue His people from the humiliation.  His promise included the assurance that they would never again have to drink the cup of His wrath.

These verses instruct us never to take the grace and goodness of God for granted. While God loves us, He would never allow us to be the cause of our ruin. When He detects traits in us that will cause us to go wayward, He will deal with us. He loves us far too much to leave us the way we are. As loving as God is, remember His anger is real. And we must not take His goodness for His weakness. God is in the task of perfecting us as we yield to Him. Let’s be faithful in our journey with Him!

Isaiah 51:11-16 – Don’t forget that we are God’s redeemed

In response to the cry for the arm of the Lord to awake and help His people in exile, God answered in Isaiah 51:11-16. Here He promised that the redeemed of the Lord shall triumphantly return to Zion. They would come home shouting with great joy of celebration. Joy and gladness shall be their experience and all sorrow and mourning shall flee.  

Emphatically God promised that He Himself would ensure it so they should have no fear. Here He was calling on them to remember that He Himself was their God. And this is one truth they should not forget. Hence, they should not be fearful of the oppressors. Why? For they were mere men who would not have the capacity to take Him on. In promising that their release from captivity was near, He assured them that what He had promised was not idle words. They would surely come to pass. For He was the One who had stretched out the heavens and established the foundation of the earth.   

 

The Sovereign Lord who controls nature that even the waves of the sea had to obey Him, had made a solemn promise to protect His people. He would cover them with the shadow of His hand. Besides, being their protector He would also be their provider. He promised that they would never lack bread.  

 

In these verses, we can see the description of the people of God in exile and living in fear. The reason they were in that state of flux was that they had forgotten who their God was. Here God came comforting them and assuring them of their soon release. He reminded them of who they were to Him. Being the Supreme God, where no mortal was His equal, God assured them of their deliverance. He would not only protect and defend them but would also provide for them. Like them, we need to be constantly assured that God, the one who protects and provides for us, is constantly with us. Be assured that our God is always with us. He will free us from our bondage to fear and grant us the victory we need. Remember the Lord’s final words to His people in Matthew 28:2o. He said, “…behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Take heart and know that we have a great God who will never leave us nor let us down. Let us never forget that!