Introduction To Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:1-16

“The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.  It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.” (Jeremiah 1:1-3)

Jeremiah began his prophecy about seventy years after the death of Hezekiah, and about eighty years after Isaiah’s final prophecies, during Josiah’s reign over Judah.  Josiah was the last of the good kings of Judah.  After the discovery of the book of the law in the Temple, in II Kings 22. He redoubled his efforts becoming one of the best kings Judah ever had, and was responsible for the fulfillment of the prophecy against Jeroboam’s altar and religion made three hundred fifty years before.  After Josiah’s death, Judah moved steadily farther away from God.  Forty eight years after he began to prophesy, when Jerusalem was completely destroyed, Jeremiah would still be prophesying.

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 1:4-8)

God said He had known Jeremiah before he was ever conceived, and designated him as a prophet even before he was born.   It is essentially what David said in Psalm 139:13-16.  “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.   I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” 

While our DNA pattern may seem a result of random combinations, God has designated those combinations.  He already knows the fetus as a person long before it is born or even fully formed, and knows what they will do in life, even choosing them for special purposes. 

Like Moses, Jeremiah was hesitant to take the position fearing he didn’t know enough or wouldn’t be heard.   God told him not to feel inferior because He would tell him what to say.   It is the same as what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:19-20.   “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

The Jewish leadership would repeatedly try to kill Jeremiah, but God promised to protect him and after the destruction of Jerusalem, the Babylonian Empire would provide for him.  It was with this assurance that Jeremiah began his ministry.    

“Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.  See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:9-10)

God gave Jeremiah a message and set him like a gardener to care for his estate.  He was to root out the weeds and cut down dead or diseased trees and vines and plant others where they were needed, using the message God had given him to warn and influence all the nations and kingdoms around them. 

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.  Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.  And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.

Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.  For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.  And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.” (Jeremiah 1:11-16)

God then showed Jeremiah two visions, one of a newly planted almond tree, and another of boiling pot with its opening turned toward the North.  Just as a newly planted cutting begins to put out roots and grow within a few days, God would begin to fulfill his prophecies in a short time.  Ultimately, all the countries of the North will come to occupy Israel and Jerusalem, punishing them for their sin in rejecting God and turning to other gods.  A hundred years later, Daniel would explain this prophecy in greater detail in Daniel 11. 

The Ultimate Conclusion

Isaiah 66:15-24

“For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.  For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.” (Isaiah 66:15-16)

Prior to the Millennium, God will repeatedly use fire to punish mankind and try to convince them to turn to him.   Revelations 9:18 describes one such instance during the tribulation period.  “By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.”  At the end of the tribulation, because the followers of the Antichrist refuse to turn to Christ, even attacking him with the intent of destroying him, Christ will destroy the world government and set up the millennial kingdom.  Revelation 19:11-15 describes Him using the sword of his word to break the Antichrist’s and Satan’s power. 

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” (Revelation 19:11-15)

At the end of the Millennium, Revelation 20:7-9m describes the armies of the world being destroyed by fire.  “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”

“They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.  For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.” (Isaiah 66:17-18)

Those who are worshipping in their own way, establishing their own standards of righteousness, practicing what God has forbidden and dabbling with other religions will be destroyed.  The messages to Pergamos and Thyatira in Revelation 2 carry the same warning that those who get caught up in this will be destroyed.  In Revelation 2:22-23, God warns those who have accepted the teachings of Jezebel; “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

“And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.  And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.  And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:19-21)

The survivors of the battle with the Lord will escape to other nations that have not been involved in the Antichrist’s plot, telling those nations about God’s power and victory.  As a result, they will enable the Jews to return to Jerusalem by whatever means is available in an effort to procure God’s favor.  Some of those who return will be given positions as priests and Levites. 

“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.  And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.  And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:22-24)

Revelation 21 describes the new heavens and the new earth that God will make.  They will remain throughout eternity, and here god makes the same promise to Israel.  They will keep the covenants that they made with God, offering the sacrifices at the beginning of every month and every seventh day, but it won’t just be Israel, but every person worldwide, during the Millennial reign.  After the destruction of the Antichrist’s army, it will take seven months to bury all the bodies, and the bodies and graves will be a powerful reminder of God’s power.  Ezekiel 39:11-14 describes the period. 

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.   And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.  Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.  And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search.”

Those who have attacked Christ, as well as all who have rejected his authority will be cast into the lake of fire, as described in Revelation 20:10-15)

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

Mark 9:43-48 describes what eh lake of fire is like.  “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mr 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

It would be better to go through life maimed or handicapped in some terrible way than to be cast into the lake of fire. Those handicaps or other injuries are temporary, only lasting until we die, whereas the judgment in Hell is forever and will never end.  

The Coming Blessings For Israel

Isaiah 66:5-14

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” (Isaiah 66:5)

Throughout Israel’s history, there have always been a few who sought to please God and aroused th anger of those who rebelled against him.   Some of their worst enemies have been descendants of their own ancestors, including the Edomites, the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Ishmaelites, and the Syrians.   Hebrews 11:35-38 describes some of the things they suffered.  “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” 

The day will come when God will reward those who have obeyed his commands and trusted him. At the same time, those who have rebelled and refused to obey, thinking themselves smarter than others, will be embarrassed by their willful sin and ignorance.  It is described much like the story of Cinderella, with the Girl who has been treated so badly being chosen by the prince.  Revelation 19:7-9 describes the rejoicing of the chosen.  “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” 

At the same time, those who have hated them and refused to do what is right will be destroyed, as Revelation 19:11-15 describes.  “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.   And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

 

“A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.” (Isaiah 66:6)

God is a God of love, but he is also a God of vengeance.  He does not overlook and ignore deliberate rebellion.  Far too many people focus solely on the love of God, ignoring his righteousness.  When he speaks, it is wise to pay attention. 

“Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.  Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.  Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.” (Isaiah 66:7-9)

During pregnancy, there are several months of steadily increasing discomfort, which dramatically increases in the hours before the baby is born as a result to the changes in the mother’s body.    When Christ was born, Israel was not suffering as a result of his birth, but as a result of their own sin.  They didn’t even notice His birth.   It was like a mother conceiving and giving birth the same day.   God wouldn’t cause a pregnancy, then make the mother unable to deliver, leaving her to suffer.   

“Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.  For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.  As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:10-13)

Those who love Israel will be able to rejoice and those who have been saddened by her suffering will partake in her blessings in that day.  God will give her abundant peace and the blessings and power of the rest of the earth, and those who have supported her will be blessed, treated as a favored child, benefitting along with Israel from God’s blessings. 

“And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.” (Isaiah 66:14)

When this all takes place, Israel and her friends will grow like a plant in a good garden, carefully cared for by the gardener.  They will also see his anger toward those who interfere like seeing the gardener destroying weeds and bugs that hinder the plants growth.  

Man Has Nothing To Offer God But Obedience.

Isaiah 65:18-66:4

“But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.  There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.”  (Isaiah 65:18-20)

When God restores Jerusalem and sets up the earthly kingdom, those who believe in Him will rejoice forever about what he has done, and He will rejoice as well.  Like a rebellious child who has finally gotten their act together so that the tension between him and his parents goes away.  As a result there will be no more sorrow or weeping.  There will be no more funerals for babies just a few days old, nor for older people who haven’t lived out their full lifespan.  An infant can expect to live a hundred years, but a person who continues in sin when he is old enough to know better will be cursed by God.  It is during the period known as the millennium.  After the new heaven and new earth are created there will be no more death. 

Isaiah 25:8-9 describes this period.  “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.  And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

“And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.  They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 65:21-25)

During that thousand year period, they will live as God intended them to, enjoying the fruits of their labors without fear of losing anything, experiencing again what God promised in Joshua 1:7; “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2)

In Acts 17:24-25 Paul references what God says here, saying, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;”  there is nothing mankind can do for God that he cannot do for himself.  What he wants from mankind is for them to put away their pride and trust Him.  In Acts 17:27, Paul says, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:”

“He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.” (Isaiah 66:3-4)

Hebrews 10:6 declares, “In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.”  Though God specified that certain sacrifices would be acceptable and others would not, the sacrifices themselves are meaningless to Him.  What God wants is a proper attitude toward him, and mechanical or ritual offering of those sacrifices is no better than worshipping idols or offering unacceptable sacrifices.  Because they have chosen to ignore God’s commands while practicing the rituals, actively disobeying him and refusing to listen to his instructions, God will bring judgment on them.  The things they fear most will happen to them and they will find they have been deluded.  

The Rebellious Child

Isaiah 64:8-65:17

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.  Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.” (Isaiah 64:8-9)

Like rebellious children who insist on having their own way, constantly neglecting their own responsibilities and doing what has been forbidden, Israel had refused to do what god had commanded.  Isaiah asks God to remember that they are just made from dirt and do dumb things just like a bunch of kids do.  He asks that God remember they are his children and not hold their foolishness against them forever. 

“Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.  Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.  Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?” (Isaiah 64:10-12)

How far will God’s judgment go?  Their great cities and farmlands have become like a desert or wilderness area with no inhabitants and Jerusalem is just a ruin.  The beautiful temple where they once offered sacrifices to God has been burned down, and all the things they once valued are now just bits of trash that need to be disposed of.  Will God continue to punish them or or respond to their prayers?

“I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.  I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.  Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.” Isaiah 65:1-7)

God’s response is that now they are begging God to end his punishment even though they have deliberately ignored his repeated warnings and remonstrations, frequently doing what he told them not to do like a little child who when told not to do something, deliberately does it and then looks at their parent as if daring them to do anything about it, and when scolded shouts “I hate you, don’t touch me to their father or mother.”

Their rebellion has reached a level God can no longer ignore.  They have disrespected him and ignored his provision and efforts, and now he is going to allow them to suffer the consequences of their behavior, like a father who allows his son to be taken to jail for some crime or makes his daughter take care of an illegitimate child to learn the consequences of their sin.   Other people may see it as being cruel, but it is the only way they will learn not to do those things.   Keeping them from suffering the consequences leads them to believe what they have done is acceptable.

“Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.  And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.  And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.” (Isaiah 65:8-10)

Like a farmer pruning grapes, who sees a cluster forming, God will not destroy it, but will trim away things around it them to give them room to grow.  Such pruning may seem drastic to those who don’t understand and they assume he is just cutting off everything.  The end result of his pruning will be descendants of Israel and Judah that will inherit the land God has promised them.  The land will then be a land where the herds can live at peace.

“But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.  Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.” (Isaiah 65:11-12)

Unfortunately, Israel was still like that rebellious child, ignoring God’s instruction and running around with a group of rebellious friends, and devoting their efforts to pleasing them instead.  As a result they will have to be punished , with some of them even dying as a result because they refuse to listen to God, even deliberately doing what he has forbidden to show they don’t have to obey him. 

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.  And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:13-17)

Because of their open rebellion, God will bless those who are obedient, but those of his children who refuse to obey will be left without even the necessities, and find themselves embarrassed for their poverty.  His servants will have a wonderful life while his children struggle and cry out in despair and frustration.  Their family name will become a curse, with people refusing to help them because they shouldn’t need help.  God will call another group to take their place and those who whave been so proud of their own abilities will instead focus on what God has done.  God will create a new heaven and earth, and the problems of this world will be forgotten.  

Why Doesn’t God Answer?

Isaiah 63:7-64:7

“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.  For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:7-9)

There is a very real tendency for people to forget what God has done for them when things are not going as they hoped, with the result that they begin to feel he has broken his promises.  Isaiah endeavors to remind them what God has done for them.  He reminds them how loving and kind God has been in giving them a land of their own, claiming them as his own children, saving them from their enemies, and  how many times he had redeemed them from captivity to other nations, enabling them to survive until they were able to reestablish themselves.

“But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.  Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?  That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?  That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?

As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.  Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?” (Isaiah 63:10-15)

Unfortunately, Israel and Judah have been like a horse or dog being led by their owner that decides to go somewhere else than where he is trying to lead them, fighting their leash or lead rope and struggling to go their own way and forgetting how much they have been blessed when the allowed him to have His way.  During the years in the wilderness, God took them like a shepherd, avoiding enemies and providing the food they needed every day.  That same God was leading in Isaiah’s day and he had not lost any of his power, nor did he love them any less. 

“Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.  The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.  We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.” (Isaiah 63:16-19)

A thousand years after God made the promise to Abraham, He might not know who they were. And Jacob might not recognize them as his descendants but God was still their father and protector.  Why has he allowed them to turn away and be so stubborn against doing what is right or showing him proper respect?  Why has he allowed people who were not his children and never obeyed him to control the land and destroy the holy things.  He requests that God fix things up for their sake. 

“Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.  As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!  When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.  Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.” (Isaiah 64:1-5)

Isaiah asks that God would reveal himself in mighty power, like lava flowing down from the mountains, boiling away even the streams of water and melting the very rocks to make the enemies know how powerful He is.  It would be like it had in the past when God had done things they couldn’t imagine and their enemies were afraid of the God of Israel, 

Even in the Past. When god did those wonderful and powerful things, they still had no idea of the wonderful things God has planned and can do for those who follow and trust him completely or the fellowship they can have.  God will make himself known to those who are doing what he has commanded and are enjoying the privilege.  In John 14:21-23, Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.   Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

If a person will demonstrate his love of God by obeying him.  The Spirit of God will indwell him, empowering and encouraging him and developing a relationship others never experience. 

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 64:6-7)

Unfortunately, the Jews have not chosen to establish such a relationship with God.  They insist that he do everything they want while making no effort themselves to develop it, much like a wife who blames her husband for never talking to her but insists on vacuuming the floor or walking out to do something else while he tries to talk to her, making it clear she has no interest in what he is trying to say.  Their best efforts to do what is right are soiled with the wrong attitudes and have lost their shine and beauty like a leaf fallen from a tree.    Their sins have separated between them and God, so that they no longer really make an effort to please him, with the result that God is no longer going out of his way to try to talk to them.

Treading the Winepress

Isaiah 62:1-63:6

“For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” (Isaiah 62:1-2)

Because God loves the Israelite people, and his love for the city of Jerusalem, He will never stop warning them of what is wrong until they finally turn and keep His law.  When they do their righteousness will shine forth and their salvation as a result will be apparent like a lighted lamp.  The unbelieving around them will see the results of their righteousness and God’s blessing.  They will be called by a new name God will give them. 

“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.  Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.  For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” (Isaiah 62:3-5)

When they turn to God, Israel will become a crown of glory or a trophy in His hand a sign or victory though it was hard to win.  They will no longer be considered the as the one whose lover left them, and their land considered barren.  Instead they will be called His delight, and their land called husband, because God is pleased with them, and their land is like a husband providing the very best for his wife.  The descendants of Israel will cling to her and God will rejoice like a loving groom who has just been married.

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.  And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7)

God placed watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem to warn her of her sin.  They were never to stop warning her or reminding her of the Lord.  Those same watchman would constantly remind God of his promises until his promise is fulfilled. 

“The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: But they that have gathered it shall eat it and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.” (Isaiah 62:8-9)

Because of their sin. God has allowed Israel’s enemies to steal the crops they have grown and the things they have produced, so that their labor has been wasted.  One day, that will no longer happen, but the ones who did the work will get to enjoy the benefits of their labor.   

“Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.  Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.  And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.” (Isaiah 62:10-12)

When the Lord returns and sets up his kingdom, he will prepare a highway for the Jews and people who migrate to Israel, removing the obstacles so they can come easily.  He will also set a standard, like a flag for the people to rally around on their journey.  God will announce his commitment to Israel and they will be called God’s chosen people.  Jerusalem will no longer be just a ruin, but a place where People want to go.

“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?

I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.  For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” (Isaiah 63:1-4)

Who is this person who comes from the east, from Edom, in Saudi Arabia, and Bozrah in Iraq with such amazing clothing and obvious power?   Why is his clothing stained like he has been treading out the grapes in a winepress? 

The Lord answers that it is the righteous savior who is coming and that he has trodden out the judgment of the Lord on the peoples of the earth, exacting vengeance for the hurts they have done to his people.

Revelation 19:11-16 describes these events as well.  “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

“And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.  And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.” (Isaiah 63:5-6)

The Lord looked for someone to come to the rescue of God’s people, but no one did.  In anger against the world’s treatment of them, He stepped forward to bring them salvation.  He will destroy those who have despised his people, treading them down like weeds in path, leaving them bent every which way as if they were drunk and with the stalks broken so they can no longer hold themselves up. 

God’s Mandate

Isaiah 61:1-11

“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Isaiah describes the mandate God has given him, as a prophet to Israel, foreshadowing what Christ would provide for mankind, but it applies to every follower of Christ today, and especially the pastors and teachers.  They are to provide good news to meek people who are not so wrapped up in themselves that they won’t listen to anybody else.  They are to help them recover from their emotional injuries, showing there is deliverance from the consequences of sin, but also that they can be delivered from the control of sin today.  They are to tell them about the Lord’s setting up his earthly kingdom, and warn them of his judgment of the earth.  They are to assure people that the sorrow will eventually be over and that there is something better to come in the future., so that they are looking to the future with a sense of eagerness, thanking God rather than complaining and being depressed.  The people will be known as God’s people at that time. 

“And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.  And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.” (Isaiah 61:4-5)

When the time comes, they will rebuild the ancient cities and communities that have been nothing but ruins for centuries.  People from other lands will flock to Jerusalem working for the Jews, doing menial work such as herding sheep and farming the land. 

“But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.  For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.” (Isaiah 61:6-7)

During the Tribulation, many of the Jews will turn to Christ, and whn He establishes his earthly kingdom, those who believe in him will be counted as his priests and servants.  Like Old Testament priests, they will receive a portion of everything given to God.  Because of the degradation and shame they have suffered for serving god, they will receive a double portion, rejoicing and enjoying their newfound freedoms and power.  Revelation 20:4-6 describes a little of this.  “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” During that time no sin will be condoned.

“For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.  And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.” (Isaiah 61:8-9)

The Lord loves justice and discernment.  He hates having the fruits of robbery and wrong doing offered as an offering to thank him for his help or as an effort to enlist his help.  He will direct them in the proper way, making an eternal contract with the people.  As a result, their descendants will be widely known, as God’s people that god blesses.

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.  For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:10-11)

Because of what God will do, his people will rejoice for what he does for them, knowing he has given clothed them with Christ’s righteousness and given them eternal salvation, almost like a bride or bridegroom putting on their wedding gown or tuxedo in celebration.  Just as he causes the plants to bud and the garden plants to grow, God will cause his people to be righteous praise him before all the nations of the world.  

Prophecy of New Jerusalem

Isaiah 59:21-60:22

“As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” (Isaiah 59:21)

God’s original covenant in the law was dependent on human effort to obey that law and as Romans 8:3-4 tells us, it was unable to save people as a result.  “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Galatians 3:23-24 tells us if it had been possible for the law to take away sin, mankind could have been saved by his own efforts.  “… For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

While the Law promised the best possible life here on earth, even keeping it perfectly would not get anyone into heaven, as a result the Law was a curse, leaving the people with no hope of eternity.  In Jeremiah 31:31-34, God promises to make a new covenant with them.  “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Under that new covenant, Isaiah 44:3 explains, “…I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”  Instead of trying to measure up to the minimum physical standard required by the Law for a good life on earth, they will have the Holy Spirit, to enable them to live a life of spiritual righteousness, in which sin is no longer an issue.  There will be no problem with forgetting what is right or wrong because it will be an innate part of the person’s life, rather than a set of rules he is trying to keep.   

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)

When the Lord sets up his earthly kingdom and the Holy Spirit indwells Israel, The Antichrist’s kingdom will be in power, directed by Satan.  The world will be enslaved by sin and darkness, and Christ’s Light shining in Israel will draw people like moths are drawn to a light in the darkness. 

“Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.  Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.  The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD.  All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.” (Isaiah 60:4-7)

The influx of people coming to worship God at the Temple will amaze the Jews.  All the people of Jewish heritage will seek to be there, but the Gentiles will come as well, leaving their false religions and converting to the worship of God.  they will come from every direction and their camels and means of transport will cover the land and the offerings they bring will enrich the land.  All of them will be accepted on God’s altar.

“Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?  Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.  And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.  For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.  The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.” (Isaiah 60:8-13)

The traders and shipping nations of the world will be the first to turn, transporting the Jews to Israel, and turning to him themselves, bringing the power and wealth of the world to Israel. Revelation 21:22-26 describes these details about the Great city, New Jerusalem.  “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.”

“The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Isa 60:16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.  Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.” (Isaiah 60:14-18)

When Christ sets up his kingdom, Israel’s enemies will come humbly asking forgiveness and their officers and guards will not have to keep peace but will be at peace themselves.  The detractors of Israel will themselves live by the same standards and violence and vandalism will cease.  The walls will represent the standard of salvation with the gates that are never shut a place of praise because they don’t shut people out.

“The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.  Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.  Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.  A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.” (Isaiah 60:19-22)

Revelation 21:27 concludes, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

Sin Is Preventing God’s Blessings

Isaiah 59:1-20

“Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

Threatened by the Assyrians and in fear of defeat, Judah was desperate for help.  Israel had already been conquered.  God reminds them, nothing had taken away his strength.  He still had the power to save them if he chose to do so.  The problem was that they had deliberately and intentionally broken their covenant with Him for so long.  Most contracts define the penalties for failure to fulfill their contract by either party, and the covenant with Israel was no exception.  Because of their breaking the covenant, God was applying the prescribed penalties.  He refused to honor his part any longer until they started doing theirs.  He lists his complaints.

 “For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.  None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.  They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.  Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.  Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.  The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” (Isaiah 59:3-8)

Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy go into detail as to Israel’s responsibilities under the covenant.  A major part of the Law related to how they were to treat other people.  They had ignored God’s laws, killing and allowing murderers to go free, lying and deceiving each other, and deliberately doing things he had forbidden.  There was no real concern for justice for the victim or insistence on having the truth made public.  Instead they spent their time conspiring how they could get the advantage.  Their conspiracies were like a spider’s web, intended to catch anything that came in contact with it.  They don’t understand that some of the things they are protecting are not spider eggs, but the eggs of poisonous snakes.  When the eggs break open, those snakes will attack anything that gets close.  The webs will not contain them or be valued as clothing and they will not hesitate to eat the spiders that took care of them. 

The people who have been raised in these webs of intrigue have no consideration for those who protected them, or their standards.  They actively and intentionally commit violence and wickedness, seizing every opportunity to maim or kill people.  They devote their energies to figuring out how to injure others and vandalize their property.  They have no thought for the rights of others or of getting along with them, and anyone who associates with them lives in constant danger. 

“Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.  We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.  We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.” (Isaiah 59:9-11)

As a result of their actions. There is no justice or resolution of issues between them.  While they expect everything to work out, it is like they are fumbling around in the dark feeling their way along like a blind man and stumbling over every problem regardless how obvious the solution might be to others.  They are as alone and isolated as a dead person, and their threats and calls for help bet no response.  There is nobody or nothing coming to their rescue. 

“For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.  And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.  Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.” (Isaiah 59:12-15)

Because they have for rebelled so many times and made no effort to change, lying to and about God and refusing to obey or keep their covenant, they are no longer experiencing the freedom and peace they once had.  Truth and equality no longer exist and anyone who tries to do right becomes a victim of wicked.  God is very upset that there is no effort to make things right. 

“And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.  For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.  According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.  So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.  And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 59:16-20)

Because God saw that their e was no effort to make things right and that those who tried to do right were victimized, he has provided a savior to save those who are righteous.  While he provides salvation and righteousness to protect his people, there is also vengeance against those who attack them.  Each person will receive fitting rewards or punishment for what they have done.  His judgment will be a time of terror and fear.  When they try to attack and overrun his people Christ himself will protect those who have turned from their sin to Him.  Revelation 19 describes his coming and defense of his people.  

What God Really Wants

Isaiah 57:12-58:14

“I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.  When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people.” (Isaiah 57:12-14)

Israel has persistently rebelled against God, choosing to worship other gods while insisting they are serving Him.  God is going to make their self-righteousness and sinful behavior apparent to everyone, showing that it is just an act and means nothing.  Like a leaf in the wind, they will learn how weak their human armies are.  At the same time, those who have put their trust in God, acting on that faith by obeying Him will be firmly established in the land, experiencing a satisfactory relationship with him, encouraging others to put away their pride and sin, making things ready for God. 

 

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.”  (Isaiah 57:15-16)

The eternal, all powerful and holy God advises that he lives in a holy place with all who are humble and acknowledge their sin.  He will give the humble a sense of confidence and worth and will give those who are sorry for their sin hope and comfort in his love.  He will not stay mad forever, or prolong punishment unduly, because he understands that if he did everyone would give up hope and all would be destroyed. 

“For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.  I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.” (Isaiah 57:17-18)

God was angry because the children of Israel and Judah were not content with what he gave them, wanting what the people around them had as well, and trying to get them by doing what they were doing.  When God rebuked them and warned them they deliberately ignored the warnings, trying to get what they wanted.    God has seen their ways, and still loves them, wanting to give them what they want and restore their happiness and peace.

I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.  But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:19-21)

God is the one who makes people able to express themselves and their feelings.  He gives peace to people whether they are close to him or far away, willingly healing their emotional and psychological pain.  Many times rescuers used to pour oil on the waves to enable them to effect a rescue because the surface tension of the oil would reduce the violence of the waves, but it required too much oil to succeed if the wind was too strong.  The wicked are like the waves in a hurricane, so powerfully driven by their own goals and desires that the peace god offers does not settle them down.  They continue to bring up the dirt and muck from the bottom of the lake. 

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.” (Isaiah 58:1-2)

Like many people today, the Jews thought of themselves as walking closely with God.  They regularly read the Bible, and loved to hear preaching about the law every day as if they were actually serving God and following him exactly.   They spent a lot of time in study and prayer, thoroughly enjoying celebrating the times they came to together to celebrate the various holidays commemorating what God had done for them.   Isaiah is give the job of showing them that while they were quite zealous, they were not pleasing God by their actions.  It is a message that is needed in many churches today.   

Fasting was considered a very important aspect of worship and a close walk with God, and most  Jews practiced fasting in an effort to please God.  Isaiah points out that while it is important, it is not about simply going without food.  If not done properly, it accomplishes nothing of value. 

“Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.” (Isaiah 58:3-4)

Despite the many hours the Jews spent fasting it was accomplishing little.  God was not answering their prayers, and they were beginning to question the value of their sacrifices and effort.  As He points out, while they were taking time off from work to fast, they were still finding time to go out and enjoy their hobbies and requiring other people to do their jobs.   In many ways, it was no different than Christians who insist on having Sunday off because they are Christians, but who go out to eat Sunday afternoon or go home to watch football Sunday afternoon, forcing others to work.  The only real difference between it and any other day is they are acting religious.

They were fasting to gain God’s support so they could get victory over their enemies or win some kind of an argument.  Sometimes they were even praying for God’s blessing to help them do something that was wrong.  Several times I have heard preachers tell their people that if they wanted something, they should make a commitment to fast until god answered their prayers.   When a person refuses to eat anything until a government official does what they demand, it is called a hunger strike.   It is a form of blackmail that only works if the official fears public opinion.   God forbid them to fast in such a fashion.   

“Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?” (Isaiah 58:5)

God loves people and gets no pleasure out of their suffering.  The idea of going without food or water does not please him.  He is not thrilled by our efforts to humiliate ourselves or our evidences of sorrow and suffering.  False religions may approve such behavior or even demand it, but God does not.    To him such behavior is not acceptable, regardless what others may think.

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.  Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” (Isaiah 58:6-9a)

What God wants is for people to break free from the power of wickedness, the lusts and cravings they have and to set people free from their worries, relieving those who are being taken advantage of and setting everyone free.  Choosing to do without food in order to donate the food to someone who was hungry would be pleasing to him, as would inviting some homeless person to eat with you or giving them clothing if they needed it, even if it means you have to go without.  Godly fasting is about focusing on God and on other people, not about getting something for one’s self.

As a result of focusing on God and other people’s needs rather than one’s own, a person  will begin to see the blessings of God.  Suddenly he will become a beacon of hope to others and God will bless with his health.  People will see the glory of God in his life as his legacy or life accomplishment.  When he prays, God will answer and be there to comfort him when he is in distress.   

“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” (Isaiah 58:9b-12)

God specifies some particular actions that God would bless if they would take them.  First they would need to give up control of other people.  They would need to give up using insulting and rude signs, such as what people today refer to as flipping people off.  They would need to stop using rude and meaningless language or telling off color stories.  They would need to start showing concern for other people’s physical and emotional needs. 

If they would do so, God would make them a light even in a place where no one noticed them.  They would experience the Lord’s leadership and find their needs and wants satisfied abundantly.  Their families would be strong and they themselves would be respected for their moral and ethical standards. 

“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 58:13-14)

For the greatest blessings, they needed go a step farther, actually fulfilling the commands about keeping both the Sabbath day and the sabbatical years, because they were what God wanted, and not celebrating them as just a ritual to be observed. 

Adulterous Israel

Isaiah 56:8-57:11

“The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.  All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.  His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.  Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” (Isaiah 56:8-12)

Ezekiel 38:2-12 describes God as baiting a hook with the opportunity to destroy an unprotected Israel as a way to catch and destroy her enemies.  “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.

Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.  After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.  Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.”

Isaiah is saying basically the same thing, namely that Israel’s enemies will assume she is unable to defend herself and will make an attack on her.  This will lead to a period of anarchy according to Revelation 6:4 and result in famine and political turmoil, enabling the antichrist to set up his kingdom.  Daniel 11 gives additional details about those events. 

“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.  He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” (Isaiah 57:1-2)

Many of those who serve God will be killed and people will not even be concerned that innocent people are being killed.  They will not realize God is actually delivering the believers from the terrible things to come on those who remain.  The believers will go straight into heaven to rest, as described in Revelation 6:9-11.  “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

“But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.  Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?” (Isaiah 57:3-5)

Unfortunately, Israel has been rebellious and unfaithful, chasing a variety of false gods.  They have gotten stirred up over those gods, worshipping them under the trees and killing their own children as sacrifices to them, and turning on those who worship God. 

“Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?   Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.  Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.  And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.” (Isaiah 57:6-9)

Israel had gone so far as to even offer sacrifices to individual round rocks in the bed of streams, literally worshipping anything except God himself, implying that anything was better than God himself.   Why should they think god would not be hurt or upset by such behavior?  They have actively sought someone else to take his place.

“Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.  And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?” (Isaiah 57:10-11)

Like the adulterous woman haunting the bars who gets her feelings hurt repeatedly because all the men there just take advantage of her but refuses to quit because she likes the attention of such people and the things they do, Israel has refused to change her ways or remember the Lord.  They refuse to take the results seriously, lying to everyone about what they are doing.  Because God has not reacted violently, trying to kill them, they do not respect or fear him.