Isaiah! Appointed by God to deliver words of confrontation
and confirmation to a (seemingly) disparaged nation. They say you cannot
separate a man from his message…Isaiah’s name truly sums up his message. His
name means “The Lord is Salvation.” He was one of the most quoted prophets in
the Bible (65 times in the New Testament). He was born to a well-off family
(Isa. 7:3;8:2), married, and had two sons. He grew up in Jerusalem and
responded to the call of God to ministry “in the year king Uzziah died” (Isa.
6:1; ca. 739 BC).
It is important to note the times in which Isaiah delivered
his messages in the texts of our concern (chaps. 61-62). These two chapters
declare (1) the good news of salvation – messianic allusions, and (2) salvation
and justice/judgment for God’s people and nation. It was during the time of the
divided kingdom (Judah to the south and Israel to the north). There were rampant
idolatry and ritualism. Judah had not yet fallen in captivity to the
Babylonians as King Hezekiah still had control and a prosperous reign (715-686
BC). Recall Hezekiah appealing to God for his life because of an illness (2 Kn.
20; Isa. 38)? Eventually, the nation would fall into captivity, with Isaiah as
God’s voice (one of) to proclaim messages of judgment upon
their captors, comfort to a people now Babylonian exiles, and declarations of
future glory. Keep in mind, these were difficult times.
God’s people were not
faithful to Him, as they turned from worshipping Him. The culture had impacted
their relationship. Here's Isaiah confronting them (Isa. 59, GNT):
59 Don't think that the Lord is
too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help! 2 It is because of
your sins that he doesn't hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God
when you try to worship him. 3 You are guilty of lying, violence, and murder. 4
You go to court, but you do not have justice on your side. You depend on lies
to win your case. You carry out your plans to hurt others. 5-6 The evil plots
you make are as deadly as the eggs of a poisonous snake. Crush an egg, out
comes a snake! But your plots will do you no good—they are as useless as
clothing made of cobwebs! 7 You are always planning something evil, and you can
hardly wait to do it. You never hesitate to murder innocent people. You leave
ruin and destruction wherever you go, 8 and no one is safe when you are around.
Everything you do is unjust. You follow a crooked path, and no one who walks
that path will ever be safe.
Keep
this state of spiritual worship in mind as we consider the main texts
This lesson is being written during a period of worldwide difficulties
– the 2020 Covid19 pandemic. Where does God find you and me? This place He finds
us…remaining righteous or Babylonianized to the point where we are
unrecognizable as a people of God, awaiting His return?
Isaiah confronted the nation about the state of affairs
(economically, socially, mentally, and spiritually). He tells them they are
separated from God (59:1-8). They repent (59:9-15). True to His nature, God
responds to a repentant heart…begins to prophecy His plans for their salvation
(present and future). What a God!
Isaiah
brings the people Good News (Isa. 4)
Jerusalem Will Be Restored
2 The time is coming when the Lord will
make every plant and tree in the land grow large and beautiful. All the people
of Israel who survive will take delight and pride in the crops that the land
produces. 3 Everyone who is left in Jerusalem, whom
God has chosen for survival, will be called holy. 4 By
his power the Lord will judge and purify the nation and wash away the guilt of
Jerusalem and the blood that has been shed there. 5 Then
over Mount Zion and over all who are gathered there, the Lord will
send a cloud in the daytime and smoke and a bright flame at night. God's glory
will cover and protect the whole city. 6 His glory
will shade the city from the heat of the day and make it a place of safety,
sheltered from the rain and storm.
Good
News (mixed) with Justice
The Main Texts: Isaiah 61:8-11; 62:1-4 “The Lord Loves Justice”
Part 1: Isaiah 61:8-11
8 The Lord says, “I love justice
and I hate oppression and crime. I will faithfully reward my people and make an
eternal covenant with them. 9 They will be famous among the nations; everyone
who sees them will know that they are a people whom I have blessed.”
God loves His people and finds pleasure in ensuring they are
protected, shown kindness (not oppression and injustice), and afforded the
privileges due them. He will make a public expression of His love. (You will
not be kept down for much longer. God’s got you!)
The King James version states “I hate robbery for burnt
offering” (61:8a). To the captors and oppressors of God’s people and the people
of God now far removed from their own land and worship practices, the prophet
declares that God hates plunder, iniquity, violence, and improper offerings of
sacrifices. Barnes says the idea here is that God “will vindicate His people
who have been plundered in this way and who have been borne into captivity,
accompanied with deeds of violence and sin. They shall be amply recompensed for
all that they have done and suffered in my cause.”[1]
The Apostolic Light material states “the Lord writes a love
letter (to) justice about them and shares how He will settle the accounts,
because His covenant is everlasting, and His blessings can relocate them from a
place of shame to a place of prominence.”[2]
God would settle their accounts and make it known to the
entire world! Double for your trouble!
The people of God will be honored everywhere, they and their
children will be shown favor and the respect they deserve because God deemed
it so.
10 “Jerusalem rejoices because of
what the Lord has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has
clothed her with salvation and victory. 11 As surely as seeds sprout and grow,
the Sovereign Lord will save his people, and all the
nations will praise Him” (61:10-11, GNT)
This will be a time of rejoicing like none other. Using the
language of a wedding ceremony, Isaiah speaks of a time of joy and celebration
for what God has done for He people. He has robed them with protection (salvation),
rescued them from oppression and injustice. Depicting “how the Lord is going to
take His people who have been treated as insignificant and stripped of their
dignity and envelope them in garments of rescue.”[3]
This is a moment of celebration. The allusions of the author include a Jewish high-priest
discharging his duties, a bridegroom and bride adorned for a wedding. What a
moment!
Notice…everyone will acknowledge God did this – “and all the nations will praise Him” (61:11b).
Part 2: Isaiah 62:2-4
Many people looking at their situation feel cut off from
God; abandoned; alone; in need of strength. As Christian leaders and teachers, we
play a key role in sharing the love of God. There should be a determined refusal
on our part not to come down off the walls (we are watchmen). We represent God
to people and bring people to God. Leadership demands that the message is heard
and felt during trying times. Look at this verse:
“I will speak out to encourage
Jerusalem; I will not be silent until she is saved” (62:1a, GNT).
Jerusalem has suffered through decades of conflict and
destruction. It is a desolate place in need of rebuilding. Presently, Isaiah is
God’s voice, providing comfort, direction, and hope to a remnant wishing to
rebuild their cities to former glory. The prophet will provide leadership,
helping them see present reality and showing them an attainable future. He
personalizes his words, painting a human picture of their pain. Zion
(interchangeably used for Jerusalem) is referred to as “you and your.” Zion can
represent the nation, the people, the church, you, and me. This is the poetic
power of words used to help the reader see beyond present reality. Don’t give
up hope. I know you feel like giving up…but wait…Jerusalem is going to be
rebuilt. You will be proud of your cities again. There is still hope for your
situation. The hope is a gift of the sovereign God! Israel's fate has
historically been tied to her land. You’ll notice the relationship motifs
below:
You…shall be called by a new name (62:2b) – Your
present reality will not define you. Now (Jerusalem/Zion/Individual/Church),
your present state suggests bankruptcy, threat, desolation, hopelessness,
barrenness. I am renaming you; your life will have new meaning. Jerusalem will
shine again! (new name below).
You…shall be a crown of glory in God’s hand (62:3) – a
beautiful, treasured, prized possession; like a royal diadem (a wreath spread
with jewels worn on the head; usually by royalty).
You…shall no longer be called “forsaken” (62:4) – the
image of a female now divorced. God says that your status has changed to “married”
(62:4b). I changed your name. You are once again a prized possession. You will
be surrounded by support. You will not be alone. In the same way, a people who
sinned against God is now His bride (Rev. 19:7):
7 “Let us rejoice and be glad; let us praise his greatness! For
the time has come for the wedding of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared
herself for it. 8 She has been given clean shining
linen to wear.” (The linen is the good deeds of God's people.)”
Your…land shall no more be “desolate” (62:4) – same
message…I delight in you, therefore you shall bear much fruit.
Here comes yet again a praise moment…things used to be
dark…I am, we are, we will enter into a season of “light” (62:4)
You… shall be called “Hephzibah” – meaning “I
delight in you;” the name of King Hezekiah’s wife, queen and
Manasseh’s mother (2 Kn. 21:1)
Your … land shall be called “Beulah” – meaning
“married.” You were once alone, now into a relationship with
the added benefits of family, fruitfulness, and favor! No more abandoned and
desolate.
You… the Lord has shown you favor [He delights in you] –
Your sin, our sins, the sins of the land have
Your… land shall be married – meaning your land shall no longer
be barren; it will be like the married…fruitful, replenished. While the land
has been neglected for a period, it shall now bring forth a harvest, you can
dwell there again. The church shall bring forth fruit. You shall prosper again!
Why is all this relationship imagery important? The author
wishes to convey the love of God for His own.
Notice the imagery used in Isaiah
54:
The Lord's Love for Israel
54 Jerusalem, you have been like a childless woman, but now
you can sing and shout for joy. Now you will have more children than a woman
whose husband never left her. 2 Make the tent you live
in larger;
lengthen its ropes and strengthen the pegs! 3 You will extend your boundaries on all sides; your people will get back the land that the other nations now occupy. Cities now deserted will be filled with people. 4 Do not be afraid—you will not be disgraced again; you will not be humiliated. You will forget your unfaithfulness as a young wife, and your desperate loneliness as a widow. 5 Your Creator will be like a husband to you— the Lord Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you— he is the ruler of all the world.
lengthen its ropes and strengthen the pegs! 3 You will extend your boundaries on all sides; your people will get back the land that the other nations now occupy. Cities now deserted will be filled with people. 4 Do not be afraid—you will not be disgraced again; you will not be humiliated. You will forget your unfaithfulness as a young wife, and your desperate loneliness as a widow. 5 Your Creator will be like a husband to you— the Lord Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you— he is the ruler of all the world.
There will be vindication for the
faithful and the righteous. God will provide salvation and restoration for
His people. It is now our duty to commit to the cause of justice and
righteousness during these uncertain times.
Don’t
lose Hope! Justice is certain.
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Written by Kevin A. Hall.
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