06 August

Bible In 365 Days

Isaiah 42-44

Isaiah 42                 

The manifesto now presents the great Servant of Jehovah. His person is first described. His manifestation is announced (Isaiah 42:1 ) , His mission is declared (Isaiah 42:1 ) , His method is described (Isaiah 42:2-3), and His might is affirmed (Isaiah 42:4).

Then His relation to Jehovah is indicated in the words of Jehovah. He is called, held, kept, and given, and all that for purposes of deliverance. The ultimate purpose is the glory of Jehovah. The prophet immediately breaks forth into a song of confidence, calling on the whole earth to give glory to Jehovah. This is followed by a new declaration of the purpose of Jehovah in His very words. First, His compassion is spoken of. For a long time He had been silent, but now would cry out, and that finally in the interest of peace and his determination to bring deliverance to His people.

The chapter closes with the prophet's appeal to the people in view of the great manifesto. He first describes their failure. Israel is thought of in its purpose in the economy of God, as His servant, but is declared to be blind. To them he appeals to hearken for the time to come, and declares that their suffering has all been the result of their sin.

Isaiah 43

Following the manifesto, we have in the next three chapters a series of messages of Jehovah. The first declares His perpetual purpose for His people. His constant attitude of love is affirmed in promises which gain their force from the fact that they glance back at past deliverances. Passing through waters, and through rivers, walking through fire, they are to be safe, for they have been safe in such conditions.

Then deliverance is definitely promised, in which the north must give up, and the south must not keep back. The present purpose of God is that the blind people who yet have eyes and the deaf who still have ears should be brought forth. Israel has sadly failed as the servant of God, but her ultimate deliverance and the fulfillment of her vocation as witness are sure because of what God is and of what He is able to do. The declaration ends with the announcement and challenge, "I will work, and who shall reverse it?"

In the second message God's present purpose of deliverance is described in greater detail. For the sake of Israel all her foes are to be destroyed. In the midst of this declaration, and for the encouragement of faith, an appeal is made to past history. "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old." These things, however, are to be superseded by the new, and the purpose is that the people of Jehovah may set forth His praise. This announcement is followed by an appeal to the people in which their sin is described. God's pardon is promised, and their punishment is again explained.

Isaiah 44

The beginning of this chapter (Isaiah 44:1-5) contains the gracious promise of the outpouring of the Spirit of God, and a description of the blessing of refreshment and renewal which will come to Israel, and the consequent influence on other people.

In this message the power of Jehovah is compared with that of idols. Jehovah begins by declaring Himself to be the first and the last, the only God, knowing, and declaring, and appointing. Because these things are so, appeal is made to the people not to fear. Then follows a remarkable passage setting forth the folly of idolatry. Those who make the graven image are vanity, and their work is unprofitable. With fine satire, the whole method is described. Men put their strength into fashioning an idol of metal, and yet become hungry, and there is none to feed them. Others work in wood, making gods out of the residue spared from burning. All are so blind that they do not see the folly of their procedure. Israel is called on to remember and turn to Jehovah, who is the God of redemption as well as the God of creation.

The fourth message (Isaiah 44:24-28) is a brief one, which yet majestically sets forth the might of Jehovah. He is powerful in the material realm, He governs in the moral, and moves forward toward the restoration of His people, appointing His servant, and declaring His purpose.