HOW TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE.
"How to See the Big Picture" is based on the
book of Isaiah written about 37 lifetimes ago in
740 B.C. Quotes are from the R.S.V. and N.I.V.
Bibles and our comments are in brackets.
God speaks to the Christian church. A dog has
more sense, it knows its master. But the church
does not know or understand me. Sinful,
iniquitous, evil, corrupt, it has forsaken and
despised the Lord. And so has cut itself off
from Him.Take a look at yourself. You're like a
man covered in sores lying bruised and bleeding
in the gutter; sick in the head and faint in
heart. And the crazy thing is, you rebelliously
CHOOSE to lie there. Because you do, your land
lies there with you. Desolate country, fearful
polluted cities, aliens devouring your land.
You are besieged. If I hadn't left a few "fair
dinkum" believers you'd have been utterly
destroyed, burnt to a cinder like Hiroshima.
Listen church leaders. You rulers of homosexuals
and lesbians. Your church meetings, service,
vain offerings, solemn assemblies, are "an
abomination to me.......I cannot endure iniquity
and solemn assembly." I am weary of your church
rituals. They are a burden to me. I hate them.
So when you spread forth your hands to me I hide
my eyes. When you pray, I don't listen. And it's
because your hands are full of blood.
So:
"Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean.
-Remove the evil of your doings from before my
eyes.
-Cease to do evil, learn to do good.
-Seek justice, correct oppression.
-Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Let's reason together:
-If you are willing and obedient to me:
-Your scarlet sins will be white as snow.
-You shall eat the good of the land.
-But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be
"devoured by the sword."
But for now, the church which once lived my way,
full of justice,
-is full of murderers,
-is like a harlot,
-has ministers/officers who
-are rebels,
-are the companions of thieves,
-love bribes,
-run after gifts,
-don't defend the fatherless,
-don't take up the widow's cause.
So, church people, who are in reality my enemies
and foes, be sure of this. I will vent my wrath
on you. And afterwards only true Christians
will remain. Then:
-The church will be faithful to and right with
me.
-The church will be bought back by my justice.
-Those who truly turn from their ways back to
my ways will be right with me.
-But rebels and sinners will be destroyed.
(Chapter 1)
Then God's church will be established. People
from all nations shall come to it. So that "He
may teach us His ways and that we may walk in
His paths." God's word and law shall spread. He
shall judge between nations and "decide for many
peoples."
The result?
"They shall beat their swords into plowshares-
their spears into pruning hooks. Neither shall
they learn war any more."
So church people, "Let us walk in the light of
the Lord."
Because, as things are, God has rejected you.
The church is full of false teachers. The land
is full of silver, gold, treasures, fast
transport - and idols. "Men bow down to the work
of their hands."
And the result is inevitable.
(The Titanic in 1912 was the product of
godless scientific Darwinistic optimism. A
warning for the 20th century. Which went
unheeded. And we all know the result. All
the way from the bloodbath of world war 1 to
Auschwitz to Bosnia. But the lessons are not
learnt. So the world blunders on towards its
next "self inflicted" bloodbath or judgment
on itself. God's judgment actually. The
product of His unheeded warnings).
So the pride of man is humbled. His haughtiness
is brought low. "He hides in holes in the ground
before the terror of the Lord and from the glory
of His majesty." Men will recognise the useless
products of their labour which they worship -for
what they are and send them to the garbage tip
where they belong.
And the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
So turn away from man. He doesn't add up to "a
row of beans."
(And turn to the Lord).
(Chapter 2)
I will remove all church props. Youths will be
insolent to elders. People will oppress each
other. No-one will want the leader's job.
The church's actions and deeds are against the
Lord, defying His glorious presence. Sin is not
hidden. It's proclaimed shamelessly like Sodom.
Each will reap what he sows. Church leaders
mislead - confuse God's people. The Lord judges
all this. "What do you mean by grinding the face
of the poor" He says.
Haughty church women, "glancing wantonly,"
"mincing along as they go," and dressed to kill
will have their finery removed and be left
naked.
Instead of
-Well set hair - baldness.
-Perfume - rottenness.
-A girdle - rope.
-Rich robes - sackcloth.
-Beauty - shame.
-Men to choose from - Seven women will plead
with the same man to be their husband.
(Chapter 3 & 4:1)
But when the church returns wholeheartedly to
Christ her Lord and lives according to His will
under the guidance of God the Holy Spirit - then
Christ will be seen to be beautiful and
glorious. Christians, "those who have been
recorded for life," whom the Lord has purged by
a spirit of judgment - will be called holy. (Set
apart for God's service).
Then the church will be covered by God's glory,
His guiding and protective presence. Like the
pillars of cloud and fire God used to guide the
Jews through the desert, it will provide "shade
from the heat and refuge and shelter from the
storm."
(Chapter 4)
God has given His all (the bloody execution of
His Son on a dusty hill in a Roman outpost one
Friday) to build His church. And what return has
He got? Instead of good fruit from His vineyard,
useless wild grapes:
-Instead of justice - bloodshed.
-Instead of rightness with Him - a cry of
distress.
-Instead of generous giving - the selfish
multiplication of lands and houses - in
in which you sit alone, with your security
alarms.
-Instead of early rising to praise God - early
rising to get on the booze.
-Instead of using music to sing God's praises-
disregard of God's deeds and blindness to
the work of His hands.
Therefore
-Crops yield small harvests.
-The church is dying of hunger and thirst
because of lack of knowledge about God.
-Man is bowed down - brought low.
-Christians - call evil good and good evil.
- put darkness for light and light
for darkness.
- put bitter for sweet and sweet
for bitter.
- are wise in their own eyes.
- acquit the guilty for a bribe.
- deprive the innocent of his
right.
- draw iniquity and sin "with
cords of falsehood."
And these same people have the incredible hide
to say:
"Let Him (God) speed His work that we may
see it; let the purpose of the Holy One
of Israel draw near, and let it come,
that we may know it."
These people who have rejected the law of the
Lord of Hosts and despised His word - are in for
a rude awakening.
Because "The Lord of Hosts is exalted in
justice, and the Holy God shows Himself holy in
righteousness":
-He is angry with and punishes His people. In
Isaiah's day this meant invasion, slaughter,
stinking corpses in the streets, pillage,
burning of home and "worship" buildings,
deportion and slavery.
-No Grecian based western academic
Christianity here. But down to earth blood
and guts. For seeing, feeling, smelling,
remembering - AND ACTING UPON. A warning,
hopefully that will be heeded.
(Chapter 5)
Isaiah records a meeting with the Lord.
He was sitting on a high throne.
His train filled the temple.
Angel attendants called to one another "Holy
Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole
earth is full of His glory."
The foundations shook and the place was filled
with smoke.
Isaiah's reaction was to say:
"Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of
unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips for my eyes have seen the
King the Lord of Hosts.
Then an angelic attendant took a burning coal,
touched my lips and said 'Your guilt is taken
away, and your sin is forgiven.'
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Who
shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I
said, Here am I! Send me."
And God said:
"Go, and say to this people:
Hear and hear, but do not understand;
See and see but do not perceive."
The eternal problem of comfortable, complacent,
religiosity. Firmly nailed to each church
establishment door is the sign DO NOT DISTURB!
How long do I persevere? says Isaiah.
And every prophet echoes his words.
God's reply is always the same.
Until in the bug ridden filth of Auschwitz,where
German guards won't go, or the green hell of the
Burma railway, stripped of all human support, a
few people meet to get fair dinkum about knowing
and serving God. Loving him, loving their
neighbours.
'til devastation is added to devastation
And one lonely burned stump remains
From which one tiny shoot sprouts.
The holy seed is the stump (Chapter 6 v 13).
(Chapter 6)
So God used Isaiah to warn the nation's leader.
Among other things He said:
"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you
will not stand at all."
And He promised a sign. As predicted, it fell on
deaf ears. Then, as now.
"The virgin will be with child and will give
birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Which means God with us.
Unheeded, the nation's total destruction was
predicted. (Very few people want God with us.
Because He won't tolerate their sin).
(Chapter 7)
Warnings continue and are unheeded.
"Because this people have refused the waters of
Shiloh that flow gently," (the quiet sustaining
power of the Lord). They will be devastated by
the raging flood of invasion.
But always the promise remains. Immanuel - God
is with us.
God warned Isaiah not to fear what the people
feared. "The Lord Almighty is the one you are to
regard as holy, He is the one to fear."
God, the sanctuary, the cornerstone of Isaiah's
life, was, at the same time, the rejected rock
on which the nation was about to fall.
And so God always is - either the cornerstone of
your life or the rock on which you fall to
destruction.
Isaiah's response?
"I will wait for the Lord -- put my trust in
Him -- I, and the children the Lord has given me
-- are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord
Almighty --."
Then, as now, there was no shortage of mediums
and spiritists people enquired of instead of
inquiring of their God. And then, as now, the
test is "If they do not speak according to this
(God's) word, they have no light of dawn."
And the godless experts with their enquirers
"will be thrust into thick darkness."
(Chapter 8)
But God is a loving compassionate father. There
is a "tear in His eye" when He warns of
judgment. So He points ahead in history to
Jesus the final solution to His people's needs.
The former place of contempt, Galilee, God will
make glorious.
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a
great light."
"The ... rod of their oppressor you have
shattered."
"Every warrior's boot used in battle and every
garment rolled in blood -- will be fuel for the
fire.
For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom.
Establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness.
From this time forth and forever
The zeal of the Almighty
will accomplish this."
But the response was the foolish self confidence
of people who would not seek or turn to Him.
Therefore "By the wrath of the Lord Almighty the
land will be scorched and the people will be
fuel for the fire."
(Chapter 9)
Woe to crooked lawmakers
Who "rip off" the poor, the needy, widows and
fatherless.
You'll find out what REAL justice means.
Then who will help you and who will get your ill
gotten wealth?
When you crouch among the prisoners or fall
among the slain.
And those God means to be instruments of
judgment on His people will, in turn, be subject
to His judgment because of their arrogant
ungodliness.
From all this a few genuine believers will
emerge. They will truly rely on the Lord. The
product of destruction overflowing with
righteousness. They will not fear the
instruments of their judgment when God explains
its necessity.
(Chapter 10)
The Jewish nation, once like a proud forest,
will be reduced to one burnt stump by God's
judgment fire.
But from this a shoot will come.
"From his roots a branch shall bear fruit.
The spirit of the Lord will rest on him -
The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of counsel and power,
The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the
Lord -
And he will delight in the fear of the Lord."
He will not judge by what he sees or hears
"But with righteousness He will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor
of the earth."
He will slay the wicked with the breath of his
lips.
"Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist."
"The wolf will live with the lamb, -- the calf
and the lion together; and a little child shall
lead them."
They will neither harm or destroy
on all my holy mountain.
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of
the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
We are of course talking about Jesus Christ. "He
will stand as a banner for the peoples; the
nations shall rally to Him and His place of rest
shall be glorious." And God will gather His
scattered people together.
(Chapter 11)
In that day, God's people will say:
"I will praise you, O Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid."
The Lord is my strength, my song, my salvation.
So let's thank the Lord, call on Him, tell the
nations what He has done and proclaim that His
name is exalted.
"Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious
things."
"Shout aloud and sing for joy -- for great is
the holy one of Israel among you."
(Chapter 12)
(God's judgment on godlessness is not confined
to the chosen people. All nations are subject to
it. In Chapter 13:1 to 14:27, Isaiah warns
Israel's neighbouring nations Babylon and
Assyria. In our time judgment was brought upon
[largely] godless "Christian" nations as well as
non Christian ones during the second world war.
And only by God's grace has the "total"
destructive judgment of nuclear war been
averted/deferred. Some points about judgment on
non Christian nations follow).
1. God gives warnings before acting.
2. It is God's judgment, fearful and totally
destructive of sinners though He may use
human agencies to do it.
3. Each "local" act of God's judgment
prefigures God's final, end of the world,
judgment. Thus Chapter 13, v 10 speaks of
darkened sun and stars as does Revelation
Chapter 6, verses 12,13.
4. God's punishment is for evil,iniquity,pride,
arrogance, haughtiness, ruthlessness etc.
5. Sodom and Gomorrah were cities of shameless
homosexuality. After unheeded warnings God
reduced them to cinders. They are classic
examples of sin's cause and effect.
(Chapter 13, v 20).
(Chapter 13)
6. After judgment, God's people experience His
compassion, restoration, rest from pain and
turmoil and victory over their former
tormentors.
7. Satan lies behind the need for God's
judgment on earth. He tried to usurp God
and was cast from heaven. In our opinion,
Chapter 14, v 12-21 refer to him. He
achieves his ends through men like the king
of Babylon and Hitler.
8. This is God's world. History is HIS STORY.
"For the Lord of Hosts has purposed, and
who shall annul it?
His hand is stretched out
and who shall turn it back."
(Chapter 14)
9. God's heart cries out for those suffering
deserved judgment. It gives Him no
pleasure. It's the heart of a father whose
love forces Him to punish a child - for the
child's good. (Chapter 15:5, 16: 9-11).
10. Always there are signposts pointing to
Jesus, the one and only answer to
individual and national needs "when the
oppressor is no more -- then a throne will
be established in steadfast love and on it
will sit in faithfulness -- one who judges
and seeks justice and is swift to do
righteousness."
(Chapters 15 & 16)
11. God's intended outcome of judgment is that
"men will regard their maker (and) -- not
have regard for the altars, the work of
their hands."
12. The "success" of nations/people God allows
to be instalments of judgment is short
lived.
At evening time terror, before morning they
are no more. Gone like whirling dust before
the storm.
(Chapters 17 & 18)
13. In some cases, judgment on pagan nations
will bring a positive response to God."When
they cry to the Lord -- He will send them a
saviour and will defend and deliver them.
And the Lord will make Himself known to the
Egyptians; and the Egyptians will know the
Lord."
This will lead on to national
reconciliation with God's people Israel."In
that day Israel will be -- a blessing in
the midst of the earth." And God will say
"Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria
the work of my hands, and Israel my
heritage."
(Chapter 19)
14. Only fools put their hope for help in anyone
other than God.
(Chapters 20 & 21)
(In common with the ancient nations, the Jews
tried to protect themselves in fortified cities,
Jerusalem being the capital. The problem was
that city walls then were looked to for
protection rather than God. Nothing changes
much. Instead of city walls we have super.
policies, investments etc.).
Under God's judgmental siege the Jews "Looked to
the weapons of the house of the forest -- broke
down the houses to fortify the wall --. But you
did not look to Him who did it or have regard
for Him who planned it long ago."
(Chapter 22)
Tyre was a famous merchant seaport on the coast
west of Jerusalem. God's judgment was to fall on
her also.
"Who has purposed this
against Tyre, the bestower of crowns,
whose merchants were princes, whose traders
were the honoured of the earth?
The Lord of Hosts has purposed it,
to defile the pride of all glory,
to dishonour all the honoured of the earth."
(Chapter 23)
God's judgment affects all His creation.
"Behold, the Lord will lay waste the earth
and make it desolate,
and He will twist its surface and scatter its
inhabitants -- the earth lies polluted under
its inhabitants;
For they have transgressed the laws,
violated the statutes,
broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore a curse devours the earth,
and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt.
But in the midst of this the few true
believers "Sing for joy over the majesty of the
Lord, -- from the ends of the earth we hear
songs of praise, of the glory of the righteous
one."
But "The moon will be confounded and the sun
ashamed for the Lord of Hosts will reign on Mt
Zion and in Jerusalem and before the elders He
will manifest His glory."
(Chapter 24)
New life, springing from God's judgment, results
in praise to Him.
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name;
For you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
Therefore:
-Strong peoples will honour you.
-Ruthless nations will revere you.
You have been:
-A refuge for the poor and needy in his
distress.
-A shelter from the storm.
-A shade from the heat.
On God's mountain (in our view Calvary) He will:
-Swallow up death forever.
-Wipe away all tears.
-Remove the disgrace of His people.
Then God's people will say:
-This is our God.
-We trusted Him and He saved us.
-Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.
(Chapter 25)
Then the believers will sing this song.
Our house is secure and safe.
God makes salvation its
security system.
Unlock the secure entrance gate
that those right with God may enter,
those that keep faith with Him.
You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is stayed on you
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God
is an everlasting rock.
The way of those right with God is level;
You make their path smooth.
In the path of your word (laws, judgments) we
wait for you.
Your renowned name is the desire of our soul.
"My soul yearns for you in the night;
my spirit within me earnestly seeks you."
When your judgments come upon the earth,
the people of the world learn righteousness.
But God's favour is wasted on the wicked. If
they would open their eyes they would see Him.
But, as it is, God will hold them accountable
for the blood they have shed.
(Chapter 26)
God will gather His harvest, thresh it in
judgment, burn the useless chaff, blow a great
trumpet and gather true believers to Himself one
by one. They will come from every nation to
worship the Lord "on the holy mountain in
Jerusalem."
(Chapter 27)
The world is full of proud ungodly nations.
Without God they are all doomed.
But God is always "a glorious crown" for His few
true believers.
Yet they can be so frustratingly hard of hearing
that God has to use non believers to teach and
punish them.
But Jesus is always in sight.
"See I lay a stone in Zion
A tested stone
A precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.
The one who trusts will never be dismayed.
I will make justice the measuring line and
righteousness the plumb line."
(Chapter 28)
God will "put the cleaners through" godless
institutional Christianity. Nor will those He
allows to bring judgment be spared in turn.
And the Lord said:
"Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honour me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment of men
learned by rote;
Therefore,-- I will again do marvellous things
with this people -- and the wisdom of their wise
men shall perish, and the discernment of their
discerning men shall be hid."
Woe to so called Christians who "do their work
in darkness and think 'who sees us? Who will
know?'"
You turn things upside down "-- like the pot
saying to the potter 'you know nothing.'"
But a day is coming when "the deaf will hear the
words of a book" and out of their gloom and
darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The
meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the
poor among men shall exult in the holy one of
Israel.
The children of believers will treat God's name
as holy and stand in awe of Him.
Those who err in spirit will come to
understanding, and those who complain will
accept instruction.
(Chapter 29)
But too many so called Christians look to the
latest sociological fad. They fear being
politically incorrect instead of getting a good
eyeful and earful of God and acting on His
instructions.
"Woe to the rebellious children who carry out a
plan but not mine." The results? "Neither help
or profit but shame and disgrace." They "will
not hear the instruction of the Lord. They want
prophets who prophesy not what is right, (who)
speak smooth things -- (saying) Let us hear no
more of the holy one of Israel."
Therefore God says "This iniquity shall be to
you like a break in a high wall, bulging out"
which collapses suddenly.
So God calls "In returning and rest you shall be
saved; in quietness and trust shall be your
strength."
But no, institutional Christians prefer to speed
off on their latest programme. And out there
like a lonely flag on a mountain top God will
leave them to flutter.
But He waits to be gracious and show mercy to
them. He is a God of justice and shows mercy to
those who wait for Him.
But believers who listen to God will weep no
more. God will be gracious to the sound of their
cry. "Your eyes shall see your teacher. And your
ears still hear a word behind you, saying, 'This
is the way, walk in it.'"
Then you will send to the garbage dump the
worthless trappings of institutional
Christianity.
And God's new life will flood His church "in the
day when the Lord binds up the hurt of His
people and heals the wounds inflicted by His
blow."
(Chapters 30 & 31)
God will reign in righteousness. His people will
administer justice and live for others as "A
refuge from the storm" and as "streams in the
desert." Ears will be open to God's voice and
eyes open to see Him. Minds will know and
understand Him. The stammering tongue will be
fluent and clear. "No longer will the fool be
called noble and the scoundrel highly
respected." Instead noble men will make plans
and stand by them.
You complacent institutional church women,
beware! All your institutional crutches will
disappear. Christ alone will remain.
Then the Spirit (of God) will be "poured upon us
from on high." And the "Christian" desert will
blossom. There will be justice, righteousness,
peace, quietness and confidence, secure homes
and undisturbed places of rest.
(Chapter 32)
God's genuine believers will say "O Lord,
be gracious to us;
We long for you.
Be our strength every morning
our salvation in times of distress.
The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high.
He will fill His church with justice and
righteousness.
He will be the sure foundation for your times
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and
knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this
treasure."
But to the institutional church God says
"You conceive chaff,
you give birth to straw."
So sinners in the church are terrified.
"Trembling grips the godless
Who of us can dwell with the consuming
fire?" they say.
God answers
"He who walks righteously
and speaks what is right,
who rejects gain from extortion
and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,
who stops his ears against plots of murder
and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil."
And God's true church will be
"A peaceful abode, a tent that will not be
moved."
Then the Lord will be our:
-Mighty one.
-Judge.
-Law giver.
-King.
-Saviour.
-Healer.
-Forgiver of sins.
(Chapter 33)
Isaiah now looks far into the future (in our
view) to Christ's second coming. Yet, in a
partial way, these prophecies are fulfilled from
time to time.
Pay attention all peoples.
The Lord is angry with all nations.
(Because sin is rampant everywhere).
Therefore total destruction of the stars of
heaven and earth is coming. (To be replaced
with new ones).
"For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of
retribution to uphold the cause of the "fair
dinkum" church.
Therefore true believers:
Strengthen the feeble hands
Steady the knees that give way
Say to those with feeble heart
Be strong don't fear.
Your God will come with:
-Vengeance,
-Divine retribution.
To:
-Save you.
-Open the eyes of the blind.
-Open the ears of the deaf.
-Make the lame leap like a deer.
-Make the mute shout for joy.
-Make streams in the desert.
-Make a highway called the way of holiness.
The unclean will not journey on it;
It will be for those who walk in that Way.
"Only the redeemed will walk there,
And the ransomed of the Lord will return."
They will enter the Lord's city with
singing;
"Everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them, and
sorrow and sighing will flee away."
(Chapters 34 & 35)
And now the crunch comes.
The "rubber hits the road."
The "invincible" army of an Assyrian king stands
at Jerusalem's gates.
It's the judgment deserved and predicted.
Surrender or die the pagan field commander
shouts to the defenders on the city wall.
(Chapter 36)
Hearing this, the Jewish king Hezekiah went into
the temple of the Lord. He sent this message to
Isaiah. Maybe the Lord your God will hear the
ridicule the Assyrian king has heaped on Him and
rebuke him. Therefore pray for the few in the
city that still survive.
Isaiah replied. The Lord says "Do not be afraid,
-- I am going to put a spirit in him so that
when he hears a certain report" he will return
home and be killed.
The Assyrian king heard the report all right but
tried a last bluff in the form of a letter to
scare Hezekiah into surrender. Hezekiah laid the
letter before the Lord and prayed.
"O Lord Almighty -- you alone are God over all
the kingdoms of the earth. You made heaven and
earth" hear and see how this Assyrian king has
insulted you, the living God. It's true he has
defeated all the other nations and burned their
man made gods. "Now O Lord deliver us -- so that
all the kingdoms on earth may know that you
alone, O Lord, are God."
The Lord replied through Isaiah "Because you
have prayed" this is the message for the
Assyrian king.
We despise and mock you. In your pride you have
insulted and blasphemed the holy one of Israel.
You think your brilliance achieved all those
victories . But long ago I planned all that and
brought it to pass. But I know your every move.
Because of your rage against me, your insolence,
"I will put a hook in your nose -- and make you
return the way you came."
The Lord assured Hezekiah that a band of
survivors would come out of Jerusalem (the few
remaining true believers). "The zeal of the
Lord will accomplish this."
(Some Christians were meeting secretly in Russia
during the cold war. Suddenly the door burst
open and two soldiers aimed their machine guns
at them. Renounce Jesus or die now the soldiers
shouted. With guilty looks several sidled out.
The rest tried to comfort their children. When
the true believers were left the soldiers
revealed themselves as true believers who were
just ensuring no K.G.B. agents were there to
betray them.
And so it must always be. God's work can only
be done by 100% genuine followers. Western
"Christian" civilisation is heading straight for
God's judgment. Another holocaust, another
Auschwitz, because the church is riddled with
the devil's "K.G.B." agents. Only a purge, only
a remnant, only a few Mother Theresas can get on
with God's work of living and saving in His
broken sad world).
And God reassured Hezekiah that the Assyrian
king would not enter the city. God said "I will
defend this city and save it for my sake and for
the sake of David my servant."
Then God's angel at night killed 185,000
Assyrian soldiers right in their camp. When the
people got up the next morning - there were all
the dead bodies. So the Assyrian king retreated
to his capital. While worshipping his pagan god
there his sons killed him.
(Chapter 37)
Hezekiah became ill, at the point of death.
Isaiah passed on the Lord's message that he
would not recover. Hezekiah turned his face to
the wall and prayed the Lord would remember "How
I have walked before you faithfully and with
wholehearted devotion." And he wept bitterly. So
the Lord gave him another 15 years to live. God
gave him a sign to confirm this. "I will make
the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps
it has gone down on the stairway" (of your
room). And so it did.
So Hezekiah wrote "In the prime of my life must
I die? I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes
grew weak -- I am troubled; O Lord come to my
aid."
And God spared me.
So "I will walk humbly all my years --- Lord by
such things men live. -- It was for my benefit I
suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction; you have put all my
sins behind my back." The dead can't praise you
but the living can -- "As I am doing to-day;
Fathers tell their children
about your faithfulness ---
We will sing with stringed instruments
all the days of our lives
in the temple of the Lord."
(Chapter 38)
The Babylonian king heard of Hezekiah's illness
and recovery and sent letters and a gift. So
(would you believe) he showed these messengers
(who were potential enemies) all his stores,
treasuries and defences! So the Lord spoke
through Isaiah "EVERYTHING (you showed them)
will be carried off to Babylon ---. Some of your
descendants will become eunuchs" in the king's
palace there.
Now can you believe Hezekiah'a response! "The
word of the Lord you have spoken is good"...for
he thought "There will be peace and security in
my lifetime."
(A real Neville Chamberlain.
He came back from Munich in 1939 with a letter
signed by Hitler, waved it on the tarmac of
London airport and declared "Peace in our time"
and we all know the outcome).
(Chapter 39)
In the first 39 chapters Isaiah speaks of
judgment in the form of captivity by foreign
Assyrian and Babylonian powers as God's means of
producing a purified people committed to
achieving His goals of salvation, peace
and justice in His world.
In Chapters 40-66 he writes as if the purifying
process is almost complete. The 70 historical
years of exile in Babylon almost over.
These eternal words of encouragement from God,
so need to be taken to heart by God's genuine
people in every age in this false materialistic
world.
"Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God."
Speak tenderly to true believers.
Your hard service is completed.
Your sin paid for.
A voice is calling in the desert, prepare
the way for the Lord;
Make a straight highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up
every mountain made low;
The rough ground level, the rugged a plain.
"And the glory of the Lord will be revealed and
all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
(Your only other option would be to trust men).
But "all men are like grass, their glory like
flowers." God blows on them. They wither and
fall.
"But the word of our God stands forever."
You who bring good news to God's true believers,
Tell it on a high mountain.
Lift up your voice and shout.
Say in every town
Here is your God
The sovereign Lord comes with power
His arm rules.
His reward is with Him.
His delivered people accompany Him.
"He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers His lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
If God hasn't done all this, who has --
-Measured the oceans in the palm of His hand?
-With the breadth of His hand marked out the
heavens?
-Held the dust of the earth in a basket?
-Weighed the mountains on the scales?
And who:
-Has understood the mind of the Lord?
-Instructed Him as His counsellor?
-Did the Lord consult to enlighten Him?
-Taught Him the right way?
-Taught Him knowledge?
-Showed Him the path of understanding?
(So let's get the world into perspective).
-The nations are like a drop in the bucket,
mere dust on the scales.
-He weighs the islands as though they were
fine dust.
-All the nations are regarded by Him as
worthless and less than nothing.
Isn't it time you got to REALLY know our God?
You won't do it by comparing Him with anything
man has made.
You should know.
You have heard.
It has been told you from the beginning.
"Have you not understood since the earth was
formed?":
-"He sits enthroned above the circle of the
earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
-He stretches out the heavens like a canopy --
like a tent to live in.
-He brings princes to naught --- the rulers of
this world to nothing.
-No sooner are they planted than ---
He --- sweeps them away like chaff."
"To whom will you compare me?
or who is my equal?" says the holy one.
-Look to heaven
-"Who created all these?"
-Who "brings out the starry host one by one
-and calls them each by name?
-Because of His great power and mighty
strength
not one of them is missing."
So how can you complain that your "cause is
disregarded by my God."
"Did you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
But those who look expectantly to the Lord
will exchange their weakness for His strength
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not be faint."
(Chapter 40)
Let's talk to the leaders of the nations - find
out how smart they are.
(After countless warnings God judges Israel for
disobeying His instructions for living. So she
spent 70 years in Babylon. To teach her to rely
SOLELY on God, not on religious institutions.
When it was time for her to return, God used the
Persian king Cyrus to conquer Babylon and allow
the Jews to return home).
Which nation, what idol was able to predict what
Cyrus was doing? "No one heard any words from
you" says God, "They are false -- their images
are but wind and confusion."
By contrast, God says "I was the first to tell"
(my people of deliverance) to "give Jerusalem a
messenger of good tidings."
(And nothing changes. What national leader would
you go to as the 20th century ends and have
confidence in if he predicts the future?
But God makes the future predictable. Live His
way (love Him and your neighbour) and things
will be good. Live your way (do your neighbour
before he does you) and things will be bad.
God's judgment is just you getting what you
deserve).
But to His true believers God says You are my
chosen servants, called from the ends of the
earth. "Do not fear for I am with you. --- I
will strengthen and help you --- uphold you with
my righteous right hand. Your opponents will be
ashamed, disgraced, be as nothing and perish.
--- I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of
your right hand. --- Your redeemer the Holy One
of Israel." You will blow your enemies away like
chaff and rejoice and glory in the Lord.
You may be parched with thirst in a desert place
but I will not forsake you. "I will turn the
desert into pools of water --- so that the
people may see and know --- consider and
understand that the hand of the Lord has done
this."
(Chapter 41)
(And now Isaiah leaps 700 years ahead in time
and talks about Jesus Christ. God's predictive
words are thus proved historically true. Having
stood the test of time His word is proven and
trustworthy. Contrast this (Chapter 42) with the
"best" the scientists, sociologists, economists,
political experts, media, theologians etc. etc.
etc. have or ever will produce (Chapter 41:29)
"they were all false, their DEEDS [not
theories!] amount to nothing, their images are
but wind and confusion." And we know just what
sort of wind He meant!).
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen one in whom I delight.
I will put my Spirit on Him
And He will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
Or raise His voice in the streets.
(No bellyaching, pressure group, placard
waving, loud mouthed T.V. media attention
getting demonstrations for Him).
A bruised reed He will not break,
And a smouldering wick He will not snuff out."
(The alcoholic,the dying addict,lying in their
own excreta, and at death's door, and the
prisoner in his million dollar mansion will be
touched by His unconditional, non judgmental
love. And that's why Mother Theresa got it
right. For three short years Jesus lived this
word. And greater things than these He said
YOU will do because I go to the Father. And
if you are a 100% Christian - one in
whom Jesus Himself dwells in the person of God
the Holy Spirit (see John's gospel Chapters 14
& 15) His life of PRACTICAL LOVE will flow
through you. And the world is a bruised reed.
It cries out for binding up. Cathedrals,
"Christian" committees, ornamented clergymen,
aren't much use to the wounded broken heart
that just needs a loving touch, a caring word,
some PRACTICAL action. Look at the life of
Jesus in the four gospels - you'll find no
religious theorising there. In fact, it was
the religious experts who crucified Him. And
nothing has changed).
"In faithfulness He will bring forth justice;
He will not falter or be discouraged.
'til He establishes justice on earth.
In His law (everyone) will put their hope."
God the Lord who:
-Created the heavens
-Spread out the earth and all that comes out
of it and gives life to those who walk on
it.
"He -- calls you (Jesus) in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand, -- keep you --
and make you to be a covenant (agreement
between unequals) for the people and a light
for the gentiles,
To open the eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison,
And to release from the dungeon
those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord; That is my name!
I will not give my glory to another --.
The former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
Before they spring into being
I announce them to you."
(This ought to cause God's people to)
"Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise from the ends of the earth --
Let them give glory to the Lord."
Because "the Lord will triumph over His
enemies."
(And now, consider this insight into your
heavenly Father's feelings).
"For a long time -- I have been quiet and held
myself back.
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.
I will lay waste the mountains -- dry up the
vegetation and pools.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not
known -- turn the darkness into light before
them.
And make the rough places smooth.
I will not forsake them."
(In short He Himself will come to do what His
people, through wilful selfishness and
disobedience so miserably failed to do.
And the Christian church to-day is no better. It
has the resources but not the will, the
commitment, the obedience to Christ and His
word. Rich in religion but bankrupt in allowing
Christ to live in and through it.
So God says to it, as He said to Israel of old).
Hear you deaf, look you blind. You are blind
servants, deaf messengers.
"You have seen many things, but have paid no
attention;
Your ears are open, but you hear nothing.
It pleased the Lord
for the sake of His righteousness
To make His law great and glorious
But this is a people plundered and looted ---
Trapped in pits, hidden in prisons ---
With no one to rescue them ---
Which of you will listen --- or pay close
attention.
Who handed Israel (and the Christian church) to
the plunderers.
Was it not the Lord,
against whom you have sinned.
For they would not follow His ways;
They did not obey His law
So He poured out His burning anger
But they did not take it to heart."
(Chapter 42)
God says to His genuine believers. I created
you, redeemed you (paid to get you back) and
summoned you by name.
So you are mine.
When you pass through waters or fire I will be
with you and protect you.
For I am your Lord and your Saviour.
"Since you are precious and honoured in my sight
and because I love you" I ransomed you so "Do
not be afraid, for I am with you" and I gather
"everyone who is called by my name,
Who I created for my glory,
Whom I formed and made."
No nation has witnesses who foretold all this.
But "You are my witnesses, declares the Lord,
and my servant whom I have chosen,"
So you may know, believe and understand that I
am He,
"And apart from me there is no saviour.
I have revealed and saved and proclaimed
You are my witnesses --- that I am God
--- no one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"
I am the Lord, your redeemer, holy one, your
creator and king. I snuff out your enemies
(remember the Red Sea?).
But "I am doing a new thing
--- making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland."
So that you "may proclaim my praise."
(But what an ungrateful lot you are!) You
haven't:
-Called on me
-Offered whole hearted prayers
-Brought offerings
-Honoured me with sacrifices
Even though I haven't made excessive demands on
you.
All you ever do is burden me with your sins and
weary me with your offences.
And I'm the one "who blots out your
transgressions, for my own sake,"
And remembers your sins no more.
Your first father sinned.
Most of your church leaders rebelled against me.
So I will disgrace your church dignitaries and
consign the church to judgment (to burn the
rubbish and find out who is genuine).
(Chapter 43)
The Lord says to His people. I formed you in the
womb and will help you. Do not fear. As I pour
water on thirsty land and it comes to life, so I
will pour out my spirit and my blessing on your
offspring. One will say "I belong to the Lord"
and then will write on his hand "The Lord's."
The Lord is His people's king, redeemer, the
almighty, the first, the last, the rock. Do not
fear, you are witnesses of the realitiies of my
actions.
What's the alternative to me? Only idols. A
carpenter gets wood, cooks tea with part of it,
warms himself with part of it and with the rest
makes an idol. He bows, worships and prays to it
to save him! No knowledge, no understanding,
blind eyes, closed minds, deluded hearts.
My people get this clear! You are servants. I'll
never forget you. I've swept your offences, your
sins away like morning mist. Return, to me, I've
redeemed you.
So sing for joy heavens, shout aloud earth,
burst into song mountains and trees. The Lord
has redeemed His people and He shows His glory
in them.
The Lord, your redeemer, made everything, the
heavens and the earth. He foils false prophets
and diviners, makes nonsense of the learning of
the wise. But He carries out the words of His
servants and the predictions of His messengers.
And out of the ruins of my church, using the
most unlikely people, I will rebuild it.
(Chapter 44)
The Lord sometimes calls, equips and blesses non
believers so as to bring them to know Him and
also help His people.
To such ones, God says, "I am the Lord and there
is no other -- I will strengthen you -- so that
from the rising of the sun to -- its setting men
may know there is none besides me. -- I form
light and create darkness,I bring prosperity and
create disaster; --.--Heavens --- rain
righteousness. Let the earth open wide, let
salvation spring up, --- righteousness grow. --
I the Lord have created it."
As the clay has no right to question the potter,
so my people have no right to question the
foregoing. God says "I --- made the earth ---
created mankind. ---Stretched out the heavens,
--- marshalled their starry hosts." So God will
raise up a "non believer," make his ways
straight and use him to rebuild his church and
"set my exiles free." Then non believers will
plead to join God's people saying "Surely God is
with you --- and there is no other god."
God, the saviour of His people, constantly
confounds human logic. Thus idols go into
garbage bins while He saves His people
everlastingly and they are not shamed or
disgraced. The Lord created the heavens, and the
earth to be inhabited. He speaks the truth.
So gather together "you fugitives from the
nations," as "I am a righteous God and a
Saviour" foretold long ago.
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the
earth; for I am God, and there is none other.
--- Before me every knee will bow; by me every
tongue will swear. They will say of me 'In the
Lord alone are righteousness and strength.' All
who railed against Him will come to Him and be
put to shame." But in the Lord all God's people
will be found righteous and will exult.
(Chapter 45)
Listen my people, whom I've upheld since you
were conceived, and carried since your birth.
Even to your old age I will sustain you. "I have
made you and I will carry, sustain and rescue
you."
So don't make an idol and try to compare me to
it.
Remember, fix it in mind, take it to heart you
rebels. I am God, there's no other. I make known
the end from the beginning. My purpose stands. I
summon a man from a far off land to fulfill my
purpose. What I plan, I do.
Listen stubborn hearted, you who are far from
righteousness. I am bringing my righteousness
near. My salvation to my people will not be
delayed. I will grant my splendour to them.
(Chapter 46)
To correct His people God sometimes allows them
to fall into the hands of godless enemies.
Typically, they show no mercy, live wantonly,
trust in their wickedness, "lounge in their
security," are mislead by their own "wisdom and
knowledge" and astrologers. On such people our
redeemer - the Lord Almighty, the Holy One of
Israel finally takes vengeance sparing no one.
(Chapter 47)
My people listen! You call yourselves Christians
and call on me. But you don't do it in truth. I
know how stubborn you are. I foretold these
things. Don't credit your church idols with this
ability. Admit this! You are treacherous, rebels
from birth. I delay cutting you off in my wrath
to protect my name. So I have refined you in the
furnace of affliction to protect my name and
stop it being defamed. "I will not yield my
glory to another."
My people listen! I am He, the first and the
last, my hand made the earth and the heavens. I
summon, they all stand up!
I have called a "non believer" to set you free
from a man controlled church. Flee from it with
shouts of joy. Tell the world "The Lord has
redeemed His servant." And met all our needs as
He led us out. As for that church "There is no
peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
The Lord, your redeemer, the holy one says "I am
the Lord your God who teaches you what is best
for you, who directs you in the way you should
go." If you'd paid attention to His commands
"your peace would have been like a river -- your
descendants like the sand," with names never to
be cut off from before God.
(Chapter 48)
Listen near and far.
(What follows is an eternal pivotal truth. The
man who was God - Jesus Christ grasped and acted
on it. If you have truly turned from your sin
and trusted in Him He lives in you. So, in every
age, because God's people invariably turn from
trusting Him to trusting their religion this
truth needs to be grasped and acted upon - BY
YOU).
Before you were born the Lord called you. From
birth He mentioned your name, made your mouth a
sharpened sword and hid you in the shadow of His
hand, He said "You are my servant --- in whom I
will display my splendour." You may feel you've
achieved nothing so far, yet you "soldier on" in
the sure knowledge that "my reward is with my
God."
The Lord formed you in the womb to be His
servant to gather His people back to Him. So you
are honoured in the eyes of the Lord and He has
been your strength.
Now He says to you.
"It is too small a thing for you to be my
servant to restore and bring back those of my
people I have kept. So I will also make you a
light for unbelievers that you may bring my
salvation to the ends of the earth.
The Lord, the redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,
says to you, the servant of rulers:
You will be despised and abhorred but kings will
rise, princes will bow (i.e. "the big shots")
because the Lord who is faithful has chosen
you."
The Lord says "At the right time I'll answer
you, in the day of salvation I will help you.
I'll keep you and use you to restore my people.
Reassign their desolate "churchianity," say to
the captives 'come out' and to those in darkness
'be free.'"
They will find green pasture on former barren
hills, no longer hunger and thirst or suffer in
the heat of the day. God in His compassion will
guide them, lead them by cool waters, turn rough
roads smooth, so they will come to Him from
afar.
Shout for joy heavens, rejoice earth, sing you
mountains, for God has compassion on and
comforts His afflicted ones.
God's people had felt forsaken and forgotten.
But can a mother forget,or have no compassion on
her baby? She may, but God won't forget His
people.
They are engraved on the palms of His hands.
God's people hasten back to Him. Their enemies
depart. Lift up your eyes, these people are as
precious jewels for you to wear.
God's people were ruined and exiled yet their
children will ask for more space to live in.
Bereaved, barren, exiled, rejected, all alone,
God's people will ask "Who bore them, where have
they come from?"
God replies. I will call non believers. They
will bring your children, kings and queens will
be their foster parents. They will bow before
you.
"Then you will know that I am the Lord, those
who hope in me will not be disappointed."
The Lord will destroy all enemies of His people.
"Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am
your Saviour, your Redeemer, the Mighty One."
(Chapter 49)
God's people are exiled because of sin. He
doesn't lack power to save but when He calls
there is no answer.
But, as God's servant, He wakens your ear to
listen like one being taught each morning. He
has given you an instructed tongue to know the
Lord that sustains the weary.
So don't draw back, or be rebellious. Offer your
back to those who beat you, don't hide your face
from mocking and spitting. The sovereign Lord is
with you - so you won't be disgraced, or put to
shame. Your vindicator is near. Who can accuse?
Who can bring charges? With the sovereign Lord
as your helper who can condemn you? You may feel
you are walking in the dark but continue to fear
obey trust and rely on God.
But those who use any light other than God's
will "lie down in torment."
(Chapter 50)
Listen you who seek the Lord. Look to the rock
from which you were cut. Look to Abraham, only
one when God called him now blessed and many.
God will comfort and have compassion on His
ruined people. He will turn their deserts to
Edens - they'll know joy and gladness,
thanksgiving and singing.
Listen and hear my people. The law will go out
from me, my justice will be a light to the
nations. My salvation is on the way.
The heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth
wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die
like flies. But my salvation will last forever -
my righteousness will never fail.
So hear me my people who have my law in
your hearts. Don't fear the reproach or insults
of men. They are mere worm food. But my
righteousness lasts forever,my salvation through
all generations. So awake! Put on God's
strength, be ready to split the Red Sea again.
The ransomed of the Lord will return with
singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow
and sighing will flee away.
I comfort you. But when you fear mere straw men
and live in constant daily terror, you forget
that I am your maker who stretched out the
heavens and made the earth.
But I am your Lord Almighty. Cowering prisoners
will be freed, they won't die in their dungeon,
nor lack food. I put my words in your mouth,
cover you with the shadow of my hand and say you
are my people.
My people awake! You have drunk the cup of the
Lord's wrath. But I've taken it out of your
hand. You will never drink it again. I'll put it
into the hands of your tormentors.
(Chapter 51)
My people awake! Put on clean garments. No
longer will unbelievers be allowed to call
themselves believers. You were sold into bondage
for nothing and without money you will be bought
back.
I spend all my time getting my people out of
slavery! (And I chose THEM to set people free!!)
Egypt! Assyria!
"And now what do I have here?" declares the
Lord. They're captives AGAIN! All day long my
name is constantly blasphemed. Therefore my
people will know my name and that I foretold
this.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of
those who bring good news, who proclaim peace,
good tidings, salvation. Who say to God's people
"Your God reigns."
You watchmen, shout for joy when you see the
Lord return to His people.
You ruins of God's people, burst into song. For
the Lord has comforted and redeemed His people
and all the ends of the earth will see the
salvation of our God.
God's people must depart from being slaves to
sin, touch no unclean thing, come out and be
pure. But not in panic. The Lord will go
before and also be your rear guard.
(Chapter 52:1-12)
(By now, about 700 B.C. it was clear that the
Jews would never achieve God's goal of using
them to make Him known to the world. So He now
goes on to tell how He [in the person of Jesus
Christ] would come and do it Himself. It's like
a burst of sunlight on a cold wet Monday
morning. So Jesus Christ came and handed the job
the Jews failed to do on to the Christian
church. The result? In general, no better than
the Jews.
Dear reader, this is of immediate relevance to
you. Have you genuinely turned away from your
sins and totally trusted Christ as the one you
want to rule your life and who forgives your
sins because He bore the death you deserve for
them on the cross? If so He lives in and through
you now. Jesus Christ died one Friday on a Roman
cross in an outback Roman province. You don't
have to do that. But all that He is and all that
He wants achieved in this world is now a "He
living in and through you" activity.
In its simplest form Christ is a fresh mountain
stream. You are a pipeline from it to the desert
below. "All" you have to do [to have the
greatest life this world can know] is to:
A.Stay connected to the stream.
B.Keep the pipe from being blocked by your sin.
Easy? No way! Now for "the big stuff." Because
what comes next applies directly to the Jesus
Christ now living in you. But don't fear. Jesus
Christ has ALREADY done all this - it's just
that YOU have to follow through in order to be
His effective pipeline).
My servant will act wisely; he will be raised
lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as many were appalled because His
appearance was disfigured and marred beyond
human likeness -
So He will cleanse and consecrate many nations.
Their leaders will silently see and understand
Him.
(Chapter 52: 1-13)
Who has believed the message that God is on a
rescue mission to otherwise doomed humanity. He
grew up like a tender shoot out of dry ground -
with no physical attractiveness to make anyone
desire Him. One from whom men hid their faces.
He was despised, rejected by men, a man of
sorrows, familiar with suffering, not esteemed
by anyone. We considered Him stricken, smitten
and afflicted by God.
But, in fact He:
-Took our infirmities,
-Carried our sorrows,
-Was pierced for our transgressions
-Crushed for our iniquities
-Brought us peace by taking our punishment
(for our sins).
-Healed us by His wounds.
-Experienced the Lord laying on Him the
iniquity of us all. Because we all, like
sheep, have gone astray and turned to his
own way.
-Was oppressed and afflicted, yet He didn't
open His mouth in protest.
-Was led like a lamb to the slaughter and
remained silent.
-Was executed on trumped up charges following
a "show" trial.
-Suffered the Jewish tragedy of dying without
descendants.
-Was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of His
people.
-Was assigned a grave (as far as His Roman
executors were concerned) with the criminals
He was executed with.Even though He had done
no violence nor was any deceit in His mouth.
(And now the "rubber REALLY hits the road."
God's love for you and His hatred of your sin
meets in that awful crucifixion climax).
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush
Him and make Him to suffer,
And though the Lord makes His life
a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring and prolong
His days,
And the will of the Lord will
prosper in His hand.
After the suffering of His soul
He will see the light of life and
be satisfied.
By His knowledge my righteous
servant will justify many,
And He will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give Him a portion
among the great --
Because He poured out His life
unto death
And was numbered with the
transgressors.
For He bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors."
(Chapter 53)
When God's people turn from trusting Him to
trusting their religion He warns them. If they
don't listen they wind up exiled from Him.
Like a wife deserted and distressed in spirit
the Lord Almighty, maker and redeemer calls His
people back to Him. Abandoned for a brief
moment, with deep everlasting kindness and
compassion He brings them back.
God promises not to be angry, or rebuke, or
remove His "covenant of peace," but to give His
unfailing love. He promises to teach the sons of
His people, give their children peace, remove
fear, not to attack them and give victory if
anyone attacks. Such is the heritage of God's
people and their vindication.
(Chapter 54)
My people, don't labour for what does not
satisfy, come to me, hear me, that your soul may
live. Nations that do not know you will hasten
to you. Because the Lord your God has endowed
you with splendour.
(And here is your message to them).
"Seek the Lord while He may be
found;
Call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
And the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and He will
have mercy on him.
And to our God, for He will freely
pardon."
(And my people, always remember):
"As the heavens are higher than the
earth
So are my ways higher than your
ways
And my thoughts than your
thoughts."
(My people, you are channels of me, which means
of my word).
And my word, going from my mouth --- will not
return to me empty --- and will achieve the
purpose for which I sent it.
It's like rain from heaven that doesn't return
until new life springs forth on the earth.
(So, my people) as you go out (of exile) in joy
and peace, new spiritual life will come to our
land. And 'the mountains and hills will burst'
into song before you."
(Chapter 55)
(My people) the Lord says
"Maintain justice
And do what is right,
For my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be
revealed.
Blessed is the man who does this, ---
who keeps the Sabbath ---
And keeps his hand from --- evil."
This applies to people of all races colours and
background that become my people --- "for my
house will be called a house of prayer for all
nations" for the "sovereign Lord declares - He
who gathers the exiles of Israel:
I will gather still others ---"
And just a reminder. My people are exiled
because their leaders are blind, lack knowledge,
are lazy, overeat, lack understanding, go their
own way, seek their own gain and are too fond of
alcohol.
(Chapter 56)
Sometimes when a believer dies it's my way of
sparing him from evil. They have peace and rest
with me.
Now a word to those who think they can be
accepted by me and continue to sin. Have one
foot in my camp and the other in the devil's.
Who do you think you are kidding!
"But you - come here, you sons of a
sorceress.
You offspring of adulterers and prostitutes."
You've been mocking - sticking your tongue out
at me!
You're a brood of rebels - offspring of liars.
You sacrifice your children.
You worship your idols.
You burn with lust, forsaking me you climb into
bed with those you love and you looked on
their nakedness.
You descended to the grave itself.
You were wearied by your ways,
But you would not say, "It is
hopeless."
Whom have you so feared that
you have been false to me?
I have been silent. Is that why you
don't fear me?
I will expose your righteousness and your
works. They won't benefit you.
Will your collection of idols save you when
you cry for help? No way! Gone like
a puff of smoke!
But the man who makes me his refuge
will inherit the land
and possess my holy mountain.
So prepare the road. Remove the obstacles out of
the way of my people.
For this is what the high and lofty one says -
He who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
But also with Him who is contrite
and lowly in spirit" - to revive
his spirit and heart.
I will not accuse or always be angry
for this could make a man lose heart.
I was enraged by his sinful greed, I
punished and hid my face in anger
But he kept right on sinning.
I've seen all his sin, but I will heal him
I will guide, restore and comfort him
Creating praise on the lips of those who
mourn for the sorry state of God's people.
"Peace, peace to those far and near
says the Lord" and I will heal them.
"But there is no peace" says the Lord
for the wicked.
(Chapter 57)
(God's people have a history of watering down
His commands and creating a religion that
accommodates their sin. Being useless to God and
not heeding His warning He has to "blitz" them
through an exile to wake them up. Then the cycle
of reformation and decline begins again).
So reader, "Shout it aloud -- declare to my
people their rebellion -- their sins." They make
a show of seeking me out and being eager for me
to come near and to know my ways. It's as if
they were really doing right and had not
forsaken my commands.
But they complain that they have fasted and
humbled themselves but I haven't noticed.
Some fasting! They fast and on the same day
exploit their workers causing strife and
fighting. They think one day's humble head
bowing and lying on sackcloth and ashes is all
that's needed.
The kind of fasting I want is to:
-Loose the chains of injustice.
-Untie and break yokes of burden.
-Free the oppressed.
-Share food with the hungry.
-Provide shelter for the poor wanderer.
-Clothe the naked.
-Do away with the pointing finger and
malicious talk.
-Not speak idle words.
-Delight in the Sabbath and keep the Lord's
holy day honourable.
-Care for your own relatives.
Do this and your;
-Light will break forth like the dawn.
-Healing will quickly come.
-Righteousness will go before you, and the
glory of the Lord will be your rearguard.
-Call will be answered by the Lord.
-Cry for help will be answered by God saying,
"Here am I."
-Night will become as noonday.
-Lord will guide and satisfy your needs
in a sun scorched land.
-Life will be like a well watered garden
or a never failing spring.
-People will "rebuild the ancient ruins."
-Joy will be in the Lord "and I will cause
you to ride on the heights of the land."
(Chapter 58)
God can hear and save you.
But your sins separate you from Him.
Examples are your:
-Bloodstained hands.
-Guilty fingers.
-Lying lips.
-Wicked tongue.
-Tolerance of injustice.
-Lack of integrity.
-Reliance on empty arguments.
-Formenting oppression and revolt.
-Turning your back on God.
-Rebellion and treachery against the Lord.
-Evil deeds.
-Feet that rush into sin.
-Shedding of innocent blood.
-Evil thoughts.
-Promotion of ruin and destruction.
And the results:
-No peace.
-No justice.
-No righteousness.
-No light or brightness only darkness &
shadows.
-Groping to find the way like blind men.
-Among the strong we are like the dead.
-No deliverance.
-Offences and sins that testify against us and
are ever with us.
-No truth or honesty.
The Lord looked and was displeased at the lack
of justice and appalled there was no one to
intervene.
So His own arm worked salvation for Him and His
own righteousness sustained Him.
He put on:
Righteousness as His breast plate.
Salvation as His helmet.
Garments of vengeance and zeal.
And repaid enemies with wrath and retribution,
and everyone according to what they had done.
So men will fear the Lord and revere His glory.
The redeemer will come to His people who repent
of (truly turn from) their sins.
And "my spirit who is on you, and my words that
I have put in your mouth will not depart from"
it or from the mouths of your descendants now
and forever, says the Lord.
(Chapter 59)
(My people) arise shine, for your light has
come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you
and appears over you.
Darkness covers the earth so nations will come
to your light - the brightness of your dawn.
Lift your eyes see your sons and daughters
coming.
Then you will look and be radiant, your heart
will throb and swell with joy. People will come
proclaiming the praise of the Lord and bring the
riches of the nations. Your sons will bring
silver and gold from afar to the honour of the
Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He
has endowed you with splendour.
Foreigners and their kings will serve you. And
any that doesn't will perish. I struck you in
anger but I will show you compassion.
All who despise you will bow down at your feet,
and call you the city of the Lord --- the Holy
One of Israel. I will make you the everlasting
pride and the joy of all generations. Then you
will know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour,
your redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. I will
make peace your governor and righteousness your
ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your
land --- but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
You won't need the sun or moon for light because
the Lord will be your everlasting light and your
God will be your glory. Your sun will never set
again and your days of sorrow will end.
"Then all your people will be righteous --- they
are the work of my hands, for the display of my
splendour. The least of you will become a
thousand --- I am the Lord, in its time I will
do this swiftly."
(Chapter 60)
The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me
because He has anointed me to:
-Preach good news to the poor.
-Bind up the brokenhearted.
-Proclaim freedom for the captives.
-Release prisoners from darkness.
-Proclaim the year of the Lord's favour and
(the other side of this coin) vengeance on
God's unrepentant enemies. (God's love and
justice always go together).
-Comfort mourners.
-Provide for God's grieving people:
-A beautiful crown instead of ashes.
-Oil of gladness instead of mourning.
-A garment of praise instead of a spirit of
despair.
-The name "Oaks of righteousness" planted by
God to display His splendour.
-The ability to rebuild, restore and renew
the devastation and ruins of God's church
(His people).
-The labour of non believers and the wealth
of nations.
-The name priests and ministers of the Lord
our God.
-Instead of shame and disgrace, rejoicing in
double inheritance.
-Everlasting joy.
-The reward of an everlasting covenant
(agreement between unequals) with their
faithful Lord who loves justice but hates
robbery and iniquity.
-Acknowledgement among the nations for them
and their offspring that they are a people
the Lord has blessed.
-Great delight in the Lord and a soul that
"rejoices in my God" who has provided
garments of salvation and a robe of
righteousness, like adornments for a bride
and groom.
-The promise that as surely as seed sprouts
through soil, the sovereign Lord will make
righteousness and praise spring up before
all nations.
(Chapter 61)
-The promise that for the sake of His people
God will not keep silent until their
righteousness, glory and salvation shines
out like the dawn or a blazing torch for
nations and kings to see. Also giving -
-A new name, no longer deserted, but Hephzibah
- the Lord's delight, a royal diadem of
splendour in the hand of your God and -
-A new land, no longer desolate, but Beulah -
married to God, over which the Lord will
rejoice as a bridegroom over his bride.
God has His people calling on Him without rest
day and night and giving Him no rest 'til He
establishes His people according to the
foregoing (Chapters 61 and 62 especially) and
makes them the praise of the earth.
God has sworn by His might that never again will
He give the food and drink His people have
laboured to produce to their enemies. Instead
they will eat and drink their own produce and
praise the Lord in His sanctuary.
So go out of your place of bondage, prepare the
highway for God's people to return to Him. Raise
a banner for the nations to see it.
The Lord has proclaimed to all the earth that
the Saviour of His people comes to them with His
reward and recompense. So they will be called
the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord,
sought after, the city no longer deserted.
(Chapter 62)
(It cost God, in the person of Jesus Christ, His
life to bring about the deliverance of Chapters
61 and 62 - as Chapter 63:1-6 shows).
God, robed in blood stained splendour, speaking
in righteousness, mighty to save, strides
forward through a world that hates Him and His
people in the greatness of His strength. Good
Friday was a day of anger and vengeance (and
victory) over God's enemies as well as a day of
redemption for His people. (Justice and judgment
against sin always goes hand in hand with
salvation through God's love).
(No one had the faintest idea what was going
on). I trod the winepress alone, no one was with
me. I looked but there was no one to help.
I was appalled that no one gave support.
So my own arm worked salvation for me.
I trampled the nations in my anger and
poured out their blood on the ground (and with
it His own in the outback of the Roman empire
that Friday).
So tell of the Lord's kindnesses, of the many
good things He has done according to His
compassion. God said "Surely they are my people
who will not be false to me" and so He became
their Saviour. Their distress was His, the angel
of His presence saved them. His love and mercy
redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried
them all the days of old.
Yet they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit.
So God's judgment fell on them.
They were exiled to the concentration camp of
the day (Babylonians,Greeks,Romans, Auschwitz,
the Gulags, godless western materialism etc.).
And there recalled what God had done.
Such as the Red Sea where He sent His Holy
Spirit among them and with His glorious right
arm of power divided the waters gaining for
Himself everlasting renown. So He took them out
of the Egyptian hard labour camp, destroyed
their pursuing army and gave them rest by His
Spirit.
(And now, at the end of the 20th century where
are your people, your church? Back in exile! In
divided disarray camping at the world's latest
gimmicks, trusting anything but you - which
means the absolute truths of your word in the
Bible - and the almighty power of your living
presence in the Holy Spirit. And therefore
drowning with unbelievers in the Red Sea instead
of commanding it to open in the name of the Lord
- and striding victoriously through).
So look down from your heavenly, lofty, holy and
glorious throne. Come in zeal, might, tenderness
and compassion. You are our Father, our
Redeemer. Get us back to your ways, soften our
hearts to revere you. Return to us (bring a
worldwide almighty conviction of sin starting
with your people, a total cleansing from it so
nothing can hinder the mighty inrushing of your
Holy Spirit and absolute obedience to your word.
But in the freedom of your Spirit - not
Pharasaic legalism).
For a little while your people possessed your
holy place (not much beyond The Acts of the
Apostles and Paul's ministry in my opinion). But
now our enemies have trampled down your
sanctuary.
(Chapter 63)
Please rend the heavens and come down. You've
done awesome unexpected things. (Mt Sinai
trembled before you). Make your name known to
your enemies, the nations quake before you. (One
spark can start a bushfire. So Lord, send a
spark and a fire of purging and renewal for
you!).
Since ancient times no one has heard or seen any
God like you. You act for those who wait on you.
You come to the help of those who gladly do
right, who remember your ways.
But when we continue to sin you are (justly)
angry. How can we be saved? All of us are
unclean. Our righteous acts are as filthy rags.
Our sins sweep us away. No one calls on your
name or strives to lay hold of you. You have
hidden your face from us and made us waste away
because of our sins.
Yet Lord you are our Father. We are the clay,
you the potter. Don't continue to be angry.
Don't remember our sins forever. Look upon us we
pray because we are your people. Your church is
a desolation. O Lord will you hold yourself back
and punish us beyond measure?
(Chapter 64)
(And now God's reply to the foregoing prayer).
I revealed myself to a nation that did not ask
for me, seek me or call on my name.
I said Here I am, here I am.
All day long I have held out my hands
to an obstinate people,
Who walk in ways not good,
pursuing their own imaginations.
A people who continually provoke me
to my very face.
They worship idols, adopt pagan worship
practices and with a superior attitude to
others. (And the Pharisees of Jesus Christ's day
are still with us!). I will not keep silent
about this but will pay back in full because of
their sins and defiance.
But says the Lord, as when one or two grapes are
worth saving in an otherwise rotten bunch, I
will not destroy them all. I will bring forth
descendants. I will provide home and rest for my
people who seek me. I will provide food and
drink and they will rejoice and sing out of the
joy of their hearts.
But for you who forsake the Lord, I will destine
you for the sword. For I called and you did not
answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did
evil and chose what displeases me. So you will
go hungry and thirsty, be put to shame, cry out
from anguish of heart, and wail in brokenness of
spirit. Your name will become a curse.
But God will give His servants another name.
Whoever invokes a blessing or takes an oath in
the land will do so by the God of truth. For
past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from
my eyes.
Behold I create new heavens and a new earth. The
former things will not be remembered. But be
glad and rejoice forever in what I create. I
will create Jerusalem (a city for my people) to
be a delight and its people a joy. I will
rejoice over it and delight in my people. No
more weeping and crying for them. Protection for
infants, long life for the elderly (a man at 100
will be a mere youth!). Secure homes, enjoyment
of work - thus will my chosen ones and their
descendants be blessed by the Lord. Before they
call I will answer; while they are still
speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together, the
lion will eat straw like an ox, they'll neither
harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain says
the Lord and dust will be the serpent's food.
(Chapter 65)
The Lord says: Heaven is my throne, and the
earth my footstool. So I don't need church
buildings.
But this is the one I esteem:
He who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word.
As for all the rest, with their ideas of the
religion I want. (To the garbage tip with them).
Because when I called, no one answered, when I
spoke, no one listened. They did evil and chose
what displeases me. They will hate you and
exclude you because of my name, so says the Lord
to those who tremble at His word.
Hear that uproar from the temple! It's the sound
of the Lord repaying His enemies all they
deserve.
God can produce a new city for His people in a
moment. So rejoice and be glad for Jerusalem (as
renewed people). Be nurtured and delight in her
abundance. I will extend peace like a river and
wealth like a flood. As a mother comforts her
child so I will comfort you.
When you see this your heart will rejoice. You
will flourish; the hand of the Lord will be made
known to His servants.
But His fury will be shown His foes. For with
fire and with His sword the Lord will execute
judgment on all men. I am about to come and
gather the nations, and they will come and see
my glory. I will send some who survive to the
nations. There they will proclaim my name and
bring back believers as an offering to the Lord.
As the new heavens and the new earth that I will
make endure before me, declares the Lord, so
will your name and descendants endure.
All mankind will come and bow down before me
says the Lord. They will look upon the dead
bodies of those who rebelled against me, their
worm will not die nor their fire be quenched. (A
warning to be heeded and so turn immediately
from all sin - be filled with God's word and
Holy Spirit and in His power, share the good
news of His saving love and judgment with the
world).
(Chapter 66)
HERE ARE SOME MAIN POINTS FROM ISAIAH.
1. It's time for believers in Jesus Christ and
their gatherings (church) to repent of all
sin and make a 100% commitment to live
obediently to God's word (not in legalistic
Pharisaism) but in the freedom and power of
God the Holy Spirit.
Then God's love, peace and justice will rule
in the world.
The alternative is God's judgment, His
purging destruction to produce refined true
believers.
2. We pray that God in His mercy will bring
about the former and national
reconcilations would follow. But if history
is repeated the latter will come to pass.
Because the last thing "religious" or non
religious want is God with them. He leaves
no room for their sin.
3. Satan lies behind the need for God's
judgment on the earth. Sin is the tune. He
is the orchestra leader. He finds us all too
ready to pick up our instruments and play to
his conducting.
Christ will return to earth to bring to a
final end Satan's rearguard action against
God's people. He was decisively beaten at
Calvary but has since continued to circle
and harass God's people like a cowardly
hyena. If it's negative it will be of Satan.
He accuses, confuses and divides.
4. God has the heart of a loving father. It
breaks when He has to give His child
deserved punishment.
5. The purified minority of believers surviving
God's judgment know how to really praise and
worship and call others to Him from all
nations.
6. God, in the person of Jesus Christ, is
repeatedly promised as the answer to the
needs of God's people. The "bottom line" was
that no amount of refining of sin tainted
people would ever produce a totally pure
result. That's why the man Jesus of the
Jewish race was the "last hope." The perfect
remnant of that nation getting it right all
alone on Calvary. Please absorb Chapters 9,
11, 42 & 53 - Jesus Christ lives in you (if
you have repented of your sins and believe
in Him) so these chapters apply to Him/you.
7. God's people need to send to the garbage
dump the worthless trappings of
institutional Christianity, and centre on
Jesus Christ - doing everything His way
alone.New life will then come to the desert.
8. When, as a believer, your situation looks
totally impossible, remember Hezekiah
(Chapter 37). God will say to you have you
got any unconfessed sin? And after you've
confessed and totally turned from it He will
say "When you stand with me and all your sin
is washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ-
all opposition are dead men." So relax! No
fear! Total confidence!
9. We encourage you to soak up Chapter 40 like
a blotter absorbs ink. The last verses are:
Those who look expectantly to the Lord
Will exchange their weakness for His
strength
They will soar on wings like eagles
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not faint.
10. God sometimes directly uses non believers to
achieve His goals. (Chapters 45 & 54).A good
way of waking proud Christians up to
themselves.
11. God remains faithful to us though we are
unfaithful to Him (e.g. Chapter 46).
12. God wipes out our enemies (e.g. Chapter 47)
13. You are God's servant (Chapter 49) Jesus
Christ lives in you to continue His eternal
mission of seeking and saving the lost.
(Chapter 52:13-15, & Chapter 53).
14. God's people will return to Him with
gladness. (Chapter 51).
15. Sin and you're a dead man but God can raise
the dead. (See Chapters 57 & 59).
16. How not to fast and how to fast. (See
Chapter 58).
17. What it's like to be one of God's restored
people (See Chapter 60).
18. What your mission is - or Jesus Christ's
mission through you (See Chapter 61).
19. For a different view of the Cross and
western Christianity (See Chapter 63).
20. For your prayer and God's answer (See
Chapters 64 & 66).
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