10 August

Bible In 365 Days                                                                    

Isaiah 59-63

Isaiah 59

Continuing, the prophet makes confession of moral failure. This he does first by declaring the reason for national suffering. It is not to be found in Jehovah's inability, nor in His unwillingness. The iniquities of the people have separated them and their God.

In a terrible passage, the prophet confesses the appalling corruption, and immediately describes the suffering which followed, the groping in the dark, even though it is noonday; the longing for a salvation which does not come, all of which results from the people's own transgression, as the prophet clearly declares.

Having thus shown that all the suffering of the people resulted from their own sin, and made it evident there must be a return to God if there is to be a return to peace, the prophet now describes how restoration will come. It is to be wholly a victory by Jehovah. It is based on His knowledge of the people's sin, and on the fact that they are unable to provide an intercessor. It is the result of His own action. His arm brings salvation, and necessarily His first work is judgment. Finally, a "Redeemer shall come to Zion," and the results shall be the creation of a new spiritual covenant.

Isaiah 60

In this and the next two chapters, we have a glorious description of the ultimate realization of the purposes of God. It commences with a declaration of the material prosperity of the people described in the last verses of the previous chapter. The breaking of the new day is first spoken of. The holy nation is a center of light in the midst of surrounding darkness. The glory of Jehovah is manifested, and nations and kings gather to the new center.

A graphic description of the returning exiles follows. The scattered sons and daughters are seen gathering back home, bearing with them the wealth of the nations, and followed by the peoples.

The established city is then seen built by strangers, while surrounding peoples submit themselves, or perish; and Jehovah is known as Savior, Redeemer, and Mighty One.

The ultimate conditions of the high noon of prosperity are set forth. Material prosperity and moral rectitude are to issue from perfect government. The glory of the people is to be Jehovah Himself, and the issue is perfect gladness. The days of mourning are to be ended, and all weakness change into strength.

Isaiah 61

Passing from the description of material prosperity, the prophecy describes the inner secret, namely, spiritual realization. This description opens with a new declaration of the Servant of the Lord. The anointed Messenger declares His appointment, and describes His program. All the deliverance described is to be due to the message which He delivers. In the light of the use made of this passage by Christ, it is interesting to consider the program.

"To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" is the first item. At that point Jesus ceased His reading in the synagogue. Next will come "the day of vengeance of our God." That will be the period of judgment. Beyond it, "to comfort all that mourn." Therefore the description of the glorious restoration has reference to what still lies in the future. In that future the people of God will be His priests, His ministers. Themselves redeemed from shame and from confusion, they will exert an influence for righteousness among the peoples, who, in their turn, will recognize the truth and submit themselves to it.

Isaiah 62

Having thus dealt with the material prosperity, and with the spiritual realization, the prophet now describes in greater detail the vocational fulfilment. Speaking as in the midst of circumstances of incompleteness, he declares his desire, and avows his determination neither to hold his peace nor to rest until the people of God fulfill His ideal, so that He is vindicated among the nations. There is no uncertainty in his heart, for he declares his conviction that the people shall yet be called "Hephzibah" ("my delight") rather than "Forsaken"; and their land shall be called "Beulah" ("favored and blessed by the Lord") rather than "Desolate".

Isaiah 63

The last section of Isaiah (chapters 63-66) sets forth anew the operation of the principle of discrimination. All the blessing which has been described can result only from holiness, and ere that can be established there must be the period of judgment.

In the first section the prophet describes the Warrior returning from the conflict. While that conflict is described, it is from the standpoint of its completion. One is seen returning with crimson garments, marching in the greatness of His strength. In answer to the prophet's inquiry as to who this is, the Warrior declares, "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." This answer reveals the method and the purpose. Again the prophet asks for explanation, and then the conflict is described. It has been one of vengeance, in which all opposing forces have been swept away in order to establish righteousness and bring salvation.

The prophet's sense of the absolute justice of the judgment described is manifest in that he immediately breaks forth into praise of the loving-kindnesses of the Lord. In language full of beauty he describes Jehovah's faithfulness to His people. His description looks back to the days in which, in spite of their rebellion and their grieving of His Holy Spirit, through which He was necessarily made their enemy, He nevertheless carried them, and remembered them, and delivered them.