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.