God keeps His Promises

 Read Isaiah 63.

Not every promise in the Bible is one we want to claim.  God in His faithfulness has or will fulfill every one of them.  This chapter contains three promised messages.

1.  The Promised Punishment of Enemies. (vv.1-6)
Not everyone will be glad when Jesus comes the second time.  Israel will experience a spiritual revival and national restoration.  But the enemies of God will experience His vengeance.  The passage describes the Messiah having come from a bloody battle, where He alone fought against the opposition.  The awesome appearance of Jesus in Revelation 19 states, "He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God....From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations..." (Revelation 19:13-15)

2.  The Promised Punishment of Judah. (vv.7-14)
Isaiah wrote this about a hundred years in advance to help those who would be experiencing the Babylonian captivity to understand what happened to them.  He reminded Judah of God's "steadfast love," His "great goodness," His "compassion," and His "pity" for them.  The LORD consistently provided deliverance for the nation during their times of trouble and affliction.  But despite all that He had done, "they rebelled" (v.10).  This was not an organized demonstration against God, but a rebellion of the heart displayed in their disobedient life.  They "grieved his Holy Spirit."  This is the only time that phrase appears in the Old Testament.  The Apostle Paul warned believers not to "grieve the Holy Spirit of God" by speaking in an unkind and unforgiving manner (Ephesians 4:29-32).

3.   The Prophesied Prayer of Judah. (vv.15-19)
The prayer for the nation begins here and continues into chapter 64.  It is a cry for God to show His power.  Their petition is based upon the unconditional promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12 (v.16).  The LORD is referred to as "our Father" and "our Redeemer" (v.16).  Though this was written far in advance, Isaiah mentioned that Solomon's beautiful Temple will be "trampled down" by the Babylonians.  With all their losses, the nation will appear as if they never had a relationship with God. 

Gratefully, for us, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)  Live according to that promise today.

 

What's in a Name?

 Read Isaiah 62. 

When Messiah restores Israel, the nation will shine as a light to the entire world and will serve as a crowning adornment to God's work in the world (vv.1-3).

Names in the Bible were given based upon their meaning.  Israel and the Jews in particular, have been described in many ways over the centuries.  Some of them such as "forsaken" or “deserted” (v.4 and v.12) were used because it appeared that God had left them.  That was not true, of course.  It was their sin that separated them from God.  But when Jesus establishes His rule in Jerusalem, they will be known by a set of new names.

Though these are prophecies to be literally fulfilled in the Millennium, there are direct spiritual applications to all those who personally know the LORD.

1. My Delight is in Her. (v.4)
Nationally, the visible, reigning presence of Christ in Jerusalem will be proof enough of this name. 
Personally, the psalmist wrote: "He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me." (Psalm 18:19)

2. Married. (v.4-5)
Nationally: The word is actually "Beulah."  In that day, Israel will be a place of peace and joy.  People will flock to live in the land and be committed to it as a married couple is to each other.
Personally: The marriage commitment is to reflect our relationship with Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32). 

3. The Holy People. (v.12a)
Nationally: Because of their personal faith in the Messiah, He  will set them apart to Himself as a sacred people.
Personally: The Apostle Peter declared concerning those who place their faith in Christ: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called out you of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

4. The Redeemed of the LORD. (v.12b)
Nationally: In the Old Testament, the law required a kinsman to buy back the person or property that needed to be delivered from an encumberment, such as a lien or even slavery.
Personally:  "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

5. Sought Out. (v.12c)
Nationally: Instead of being opposed and despised by the world, nations will flock to Israel to bring their wealth and to worship. 
Personally: "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you; yet, do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15)

 

Prophecy partly Fulfilled

 Read Isaiah 61.

This chapter unfolds the actions of the coming Messiah and His restoration of believing Israel.  All three persons of the Trinity are present in the first verse: The Spirit, The Lord God, the Messiah. 

According to Luke 4, Jesus attended the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath.  Jesus read the Scriptures that day Isaiah 61:1-2a.  Then, something unusual took place.  Even when He sat down, the people silently stared at Him.  Jesus broke the silence and said, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 

There can be absolutely no doubt that Jesus claimed to be the long awaited Messiah, the Son of God.  The people in Luke 4 clearly understood His claim and it angered them.

Note that Jesus did not read the entire passage but stopped in the middle of Isaiah's declarative statements.  This points to the fact that Jesus fulfilled verses 1-2a in His first coming and the rest would take place when He comes again.

There are seven statements of Messiah message and ministry. 
1. In His first advent as Savior, He came to proclaim good news, to heal, and free people from their spiritual bondage.

2. In His second advent as King of Kings, He will take vengeance on the enemies of God, bringing comfort and restoration to Israel.

God's purpose is that they will serve Him and minister to the rest of the world.  They will stand as God's chosen people.  "So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations." (v.11b).

 

The hope of Israel and joy to the World

 Read Isaiah 60.

Certainly, the captured and scattered people of Israel were looking forward to better days ahead.  But none of the events of their return under Persian rule, nor any time since, can account for the prophecies in this chapter.  Indeed, the Jews continued to be under someone else's rule until 1948.  And, the promised days of prosperity, world homage, and peace have yet to be fulfilled.

When the Messiah returns and establishes His rule in Jerusalem, here is what the nation of Israel will be like.
1. Worldwide Ministry. (vv.1-3)
"Arise and shine."  Israel will not only embrace Jesus as LORD, but the nation they will reflect His glory to the world.  They will literally be attracting the world to Jesus.

2. Worldwide Honor. (vv.4-13)
"Lift up your eyes."  A new Temple will be erected in Jerusalem.  World leaders will come to serve the interests of Israel.  The world's abundance will flow toward this one small land.  The purpose will be for "the praises of the LORD" (v.6), "to beautify my beautiful house" (v.7 and 13).

3. Worldwide Peace. (vv.14-18)
All Israel's enemies will be coming in great humility and acknowledgement of Messiah's reign over them.  With the Prince of Peace in place, world peace will finally be a reality.  God's purpose is not political but "you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob" (v.16b).
The entire nation will be right with God and disputes over the land with its Biblical boundaries will no longer be an issue.  Why?  So "that I might be glorified" (v.21).

How soon will this happen?  "I am the LORD, in its time I will hasten it" (v.22b).  The Disciples knew these prophecies and after the resurrection asked Jesus, "'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?'  He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority."  Then, Jesus ascended to heaven as they watched.  Two angels declared, "This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:6-11). 

Today, we look forward to the literal, visible, powerful, personal, and royal return of Christ.

 

If you are not feeling close to God

 Read Isaiah 59.

If you are not feeling close to God, what is the problem?

God had not lost His power to deliver the nation of Israel.  God had not become hard of hearing to their cries for help (v.1).

Humans have a problem.  God calls it sin.  And, it is our personal sin that separates us from a Holy God (v.2).  The LORD names some of the evil and disobedient acts of the people.  As a result, they could find no "peace" (v.8).  Because of their corrupt spiritual condition, the nation knew no "justice" (v.9).  It is described as a dark time in their history.  Like blind men who were lost, they could find no way out (v.10).  All they could do was complain about it (v.11).  It was impossible for them to fix their guilt (v.12).  And, there was no one to intercede for them to make it right (v.16).   

People are helpless to save themselves.  There is no system whereby one may earn merit with God and their way into heaven.  God alone can forgive sin.  When one is willing to come to the LORD, confessing their sin, and seeking His forgiveness, He immediately supplies what is needed. 

When Israel finally turns to the LORD, the promise is that they will be right with God and He will provide spiritual salvation and national deliverance from their enemies.  God receives no glory from sin.  His purpose in offering this to them is so that the other nations "shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun" (v.19).

When Messiah returns He will enter Jerusalem as Israel's Redeemer and Restorer.  At that time Jesus will fully implement the New Covenant for the nation.  He will pour out His Spirit upon them and God's word will be in everyone.

It is the same for us today.  Our sin separates us from the LORD.  He has already paid the price for our salvation.  "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  (James 4:8)

 

Why aren’t my prayers being answered?

 Read Isaiah 58.

Here is an interesting conflict.  The people sought to know God and His word daily (v.2).  But the people's response was that God did not take notice of what they were doing, including fasting.  So, what was the problem?

They went through the motions of worship, but their hearts and lives were full of disobedience.  First, they needed to be right with the LORD.  Their fasting showed only outward humility (v.3).  God wanted them to humble themselves inwardly by confessing and forsaking their sin (v.5)

When they finished going through the motions of worship, their lives were unchanged (v.4).  They needed to demonstrate a difference, especially in the way that they treated people (vv.6-7). 
Namely:
1. The trapped.  Those who are involved in wicked wrongdoing and cannot get themselves out. Loose them.

2. The oppressed.  Those who are being crushed and struggling to make it in life.  Free them.

3. The hungry.  Those who do not have enough resources to sustain themselves. 
Feed them.

4. The homeless poor.  Those who cannot provide a roof over their heads.
Bring them in.

5. The naked.  Those who lack clothing.  Clothe them.

The LORD said it is such unselfish and loving acts as these that will demonstrate what James called "pure religion and undefiled" (James 1:27).  Not only will the people in need be served but God promised to bless those who serve. 

Once a person is right with God and living and obedient lifestyle, “then” (vv.8-14) prayers are heard and answered.

Where does God Live?

 Read Isaiah 57.

When King Solomon began to build the Temple for God in Jerusalem, he was humbled.  In 2 Chronicles 2:6 he asked, "Who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him?"  True.  Buildings cannot contain this Omni-present God of heaven.  He is everywhere, at once, at all times.

In the opening verses of this chapter, the LORD again chastens the people for their idolatry.  Their false worship led them to unimaginable practices such as orgies and the sacrifice of their own children.  God accused them of "deserting me" (v.8).  His lack of immediate intervention was due to His great patience (v.11), waiting for them to repent of their sin.

 God challenged them in their time of trouble to cry out to these false beliefs for help.  They would find them to be as empty as the wind (v.13a).  "But," (here is the turning point) "he who takes refuge in me" will experience the difference (v.13b).  Yes, God dwells in the heavens.  But He is "also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit" (v.16).

What is that difference He alone can make when we humble ourselves before Him? (vv.18-21)
1. I will heal.
Sin separates us from God and destroys life.  The Messiah came, died for our sin, and "by his wounds we are healed" (53:5)  There is no other source of such forgiveness and healing anywhere.

2. I will lead.
Seeking answers and life-guidance prompts people to place their faith in something.  Everyone does.  But only the LORD leads us in the right way to true life-fulfillment.

3. I will restore comfort.
This is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus called Him the Comforter.  He comes alongside to reassure us of His presence.  He helps us to see beyond the present hurt to find future meaning and value.

The result is a peace that nothing else in the world can give.  Peace with God; satisfying peace within.
"'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked." (v.21)

It is an amazing thought that the LORD of heaven desires to live with us.