Is the message too simple for You?

 Read Isaiah 28.

Woe to the northern kingdom of Israel! 
The people prided themselves in their prosperity.  But having rejected God, they became like a fading flower.  The LORD would use the Assyrians to trample upon them without mercy.  Meanwhile, the people and their leaders were depicted as drunkards, staggering, confused, and unable to make right decisions.

They even mocked Isaiah's clear message from the LORD as being too simple, formulaic, and rote.  They rejected what God was saying to them as being childish, like teaching the ABC's (vv.9-10).  But when a person will not listen to God's word, He will send a stronger messenger to teach them.  If they refused to repent of their sin, then He would have an ungodly, foreign power instruct them about accountability and judgment.  They will "be broken, and snared, and taken" (vv.11-13)

In great contrast to the fading glory of Israel, there will come a day when the LORD will sit on the throne and be a "crown of glory" to His people (v.5).

Woe to the southern kingdom of Judah!
The leaders of the south were no better.  They, too, had rejected God and His word.  Openly, they had committed their lives to false gods, to lies, and trusted in them to protect them (vv.14-15).  In short, they tried to build their lives and the nation on a foundation of sinking sand. 

In great contrast, the LORD said, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'" (v.16)

New Testament believers cannot read verse 16 without thinking of Jesus.  The Apostle Peter quoted Isaiah in 1 Peter 2:6 and applied it to Jesus.  The Apostle Paul wrote: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20)

There are only two ways to build a life: trust in the shifting false beliefs of this world, or trust in the sure foundation of Jesus.

 

Israel's future and Ours

 Read Isaiah 27.

True prophecy tells history in advance.  After the death of Solomon, the land divided into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.  In Isaiah's day, the Assyrians were cruelly conquering every nation in their path.  The LORD told Isaiah to prophesy that Assyria would crush Israel.  As a result, Judah would experience great pressure but God would protect them a while longer.  Later, the Babylonians conquered Assyria and then captured Judah to take them away in exile (v.8). 

Not since the time of Solomon had there been a single nation of Jews on that land under its own rule until 1948; roughly, 3000 years.  Still, the world has yet to see what God told Isaiah would ultimately happen.

Four times the phase "in that day" or "in the days to come" appear.  Most often, that is a trigger phrase concerning the time of Christ's return and events that will follow.  Here is some history in advance.

1. The LORD will slay his enemies. (v.1)
This is the exact picture of Jesus in Revelation 19:11-16.  The sword of the LORD is the word of God.  As we are told in Genesis 1, He spoke creation into existence.  So, in His return at His command, all the enemies of God will be defeated.

2. The LORD will restore Israel spiritually. (vv.2-6)
The spiritual picture of God's relationship with the Jews is one of taking care of His vineyard.  Previously, the message to Isaiah was that the vineyard produced only wild grapes, so God would remove His protection of His people.  But these verses look forward to a day when the Jews will "blossom" "and fill the whole world with fruit." 

3. The LORD will forgive the sin of Israel. (vv.7-11)
God had to deal with their sin of unbelief and blatant false worship.  The exile of Judah that took place in 586 B.C. as predicted.  To this day, the world has not seen the fulfillment of this national removal of sin and restoration.  There is only one solution to sin and that is the forgiveness God alone offers through the shed blood of Jesus, the Messiah.  By faith the godly of the Old Testament looked forward to the day of ultimate atonement.  We look back to the cross in faith for our complete and final atonement.  One day, the Jews will embrace Jesus as the Messiah and know this forgiveness personally and nationally.  The Apostle Paul wrote clearly concerning this in Romans 9-11 and even quotes Isaiah several times to prove his case.  He then concluded, "And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written..." (Romans 11:26)

4. The LORD will be worshiped in Jerusalem. (vv.12-13)
The entire region that is in such turmoil and terror today will "in that day" be sacred territory.  Jesus will reign for 1,000 years from Jerusalem and the world will come to bow before Him.

The good news is that anyone may experience God's personal forgiveness and life-restoration right now by calling on Jesus.

 

A promised peace with a Price

 Read Isaiah 26.

In the last chapter, Isaiah wrote prophetically what believers in Jesus will say "in that day."  Here, now, is the song we will sing when Messiah rules and reigns.

Notice all the benefits of the redeemed.
1. A perfect peace because our trust is in the unchanging and sovereign LORD. . (v.3)

2. A clear and smooth path for life because God takes care of the consequences of our obedience. (v.7)

3. A living Savior. (vv.13-14)

4. A joyful resurrection. (v.19)

In the meantime, the Apostle Paul encouraged:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ( Philippians 4:7)

"The price tag of renewing the mind with Scripture is time and discipline, but the benefits are always disproportionate to the expenditures.  If we are shallow in the Word, we will be superficial in our knowledge of God and less effective in our relationship with others."-Ken Boa

A hope worth the Wait

Read Isaiah 25.

Knowing the truth about God's judgment against unbelievers may cause distress.  In the previous chapter, Isaiah felt the weight of the message and cried out, "I waste away, I waste away.  Woe is me!"  But for those who have placed their eternal faith in the LORD, there is hope and joy in our future.

Isaiah wrote this beautiful song to praise the LORD as he looked forward to that day when God would once and for all deliver His people.

There is no mistaking the fact that this speaks of an earthly kingdom where Messiah will rule and reign.  That will be when the Prince of Peace will rule and all the nations will glorify Him.  Don't miss all the descriptors of how the LORD will protect those who love Him.  It will be a time of great celebration.

From the prophet's view, all of the future events blended into one picture.  The New Testament provides many details, filling in some of the gaps the prophets could not see and did not know.  It is always best when we have the Scriptures commenting on other Scripture, enlightening our understanding.  For instance, the same wording of verse 8 appears in Revelation 21:4.  After the Millennial kingdom on earth, Revelation 22 explains that there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  In that eternal place, there will be no tears and no such thing as death.  We will never say good-bye to our love ones who are with us because of our mutual faith in Christ.

Like us, how Isaiah longed for that day!  In verse 9, he even wrote what we will be saying: "It will be said in that day, 'Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.  This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'"

Worldwide judgment is Coming

 Read Isaiah 24.

There is decided shift in Isaiah's messages from the LORD, beginning here and continuing into the next several chapters.  No longer is the predicted judgment directed against individual neighboring nations and the obvious threat is no longer the immediate Assyrian invasion.  The subject now is a worldwide devastation from God Himself.

During this unprecedented time, everyone on earth will suffer loss and devastation. Why?  Verse 5 explains that the earth is defiled by human sinfulness.  God's laws, statutes, and His eternal covenant have been violated.

This will be followed by a period of time when the nations from the ends of the earth will "sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD" and "give glory to the LORD" (vv.15-16).  But then, there will come a time of final judgment.

Since sin entered the Garden of Eden, God has always been implementing His plans of redemption, judgment and cleansing the earth of its corruption.  In Noah's day, He sent a worldwide flood to cleanse the earth.  "But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." (2 Peter 3:7) 

These descriptions and their sequencing fit perfectly with the Biblical understanding of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 6-19), then the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1-10), followed by the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). 

It should be remembered that God's wrath is not aimed at believers.  Just as in Noah's day, He provides protection and escape from such judgment for those who turn to Him.  Jesus said, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36)

 

Pride and God's Purpose

 Read Isaiah 23.

Tyre and Sidon were two of the most important trading centers in the Mediterranean at the time.  Buying and selling with nations from Egypt to Spain, these merchants of Phoenicia became extremely wealthy.  The people deemed themselves self-sufficient and sensed no need of God.  Like many port cities, they had also become places known for carousing and open sin.  But their "pompous pride" and self-glorification were to come to an end.

To be sure, the Assyrians were marching in their direction.  The trade fell to the control of the Assyrian Empire for the 70 years, exactly as prophesied here, from 700 B.C. to 630 B.C.  However, behind the visible threat was the power of the invisible God.  There is a question in verse 8 with the answer in verse 9.  "Who has purposed this" destruction of these great cities?  "The LORD of hosts has purposed it."

A heart full of pride, the sense of self-sufficiency, and the actions of living life the way one wants are the very reasons Jesus was nailed to the cross.  Those form one of the key Biblical definitions of sin.

Isaiah later wrote, "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Though we are not told how, at the end of the chapter there will be a brief time of restoration of commerce.  But this time the prosperity will be dedicated, or holy, to the LORD.  And, isn't that what God is after all along?  His desire is for everything and everyone in His creation to bring Him glory.

 

Facing an impossible Situation

 Read Isaiah 22.

God used the Assyrians to put pressure on Judah to repent.  But instead, they fortified Jerusalem's defenses.  They armed themselves with weapons (v.8).  Those who tried to flee were captured.  Judah was helpless to save themselves.  The LORD called to them to repent and turn to Him.  Instead of mourning and repenting, they feasted.

Shebna evidently was one who could have been in a position to negotiate with the Assyrians.  However, it seems he wanted to use this opportunity to make a lasting name for himself.  Therefore, God rejected him as an unfaithful "steward" and replaced him with Eliakim.  Eliakim served as a father figure to Judah, with the full royal authority that God place upon him.  In verse 14, he had God-given power to make things happen on behalf of his people.  But as secure as Eliakim's leadership was even it would one day come to an end.

At the heart of the problem was their unbelief that God could deliver them and that He wanted to deliver them.  That sin of unbelief "will not be atoned for..." (v.14). 

The writer of Hebrews stated, "Without faith it is impossible to please him." (Hebrews 11:6)  When facing impossible situations, we first and foremost gladly cast our full dependence upon the God of the impossible.  He alone can forgive sin.  He alone can deliver us. 

"Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees and looks to God alone;

Laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done." -Charles Wesley