Friday - Isaiah 65 - Holier Than Thou

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LL the way back in Isaiah 65:5 we find that, in ancient days, Israel thought more highly of themselves than they should have. They had the proverbial "holier than thou" attitude, (which both God and men despise in others). They said, "Stand by yourself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou." Incidentally, God responded with words of His own, "These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day." For sure, none of us have a reason to declare ourselves to be holier than anyone else. Sinners are we, every one.

Notice the order of events as they are presented here in Isaiah 65. God sought before He was pursued. Those who were not even looking for Him found him. Most wonderfully, God said of His people, "Before they call, I will answer..." (Isaiah 65:24). This is both marvelous and absolutely necessary. If God waited until we made the first move before He came to our aid, we would perish without hope. The Jews who thought themselves so holy were in God's eyes rebellious and self-absorbed (Isaiah 65:2). They were blatantly disobedient (Isaiah 65:3-4). They were on the wrong train going the wrong way. They were setting themselves up for some serious retributive pain. Yet, despite all of their misdeeds, God had a plan of grace for them. Israel is not to be destroyed. It will be a place of prosperity and peace. Their enemies will go down in flames, while they are exalted. 

Thursday - Isaiah 64 - When God Rips the Sky Open

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S Isaiah (Isaiah 64:1), I feel the need to be with God. I mean, above everything else, I feel a deep desire to be in His presence; to see, hear and know Him (Acts 17:24-28). I'm looking for His return and I'm looking forward to His return. And, I'm not alone. The Spirit of God in us draws our hearts heavenward. All of us who are His children long to be heavenly, and to be with our heavenly Father (2^nd Cor. 5:2).  Additionally, the Spirit in us pushes for the expansion of the knowledge of God in this world; for the persuasion of sinners to the truth (Isaiah 64:2). Admittedly, I don't know what it's going to be like to meet God, even though He has told us much about it in His written revelations (Isaiah 64:4 & 1^st Cor. 2:9-10). But it is sure to better than this life.

Now, our sins are perpetual, and His salvation is perpetual (Isaiah 64:5). Something therefore has to give. Sin is universal. It is older than clothes. It is natural. It is pleasurable. It is in us, and all around us. It has pervaded in every generation, among the civilized and the uncivilized. It is found in the households and hearts of atheists and preachers. It is present in nurseries and in nursing homes. The human race is decadent and becoming more so as the years go by (Isaiah 64:6). Yet, what glory, as we look in horror at the soiled rags that comprise our natural spirit, it is announced to us that God is our Father! We belong to Him! Prodigals every one – we deserve the worst, yet He offers to us the best. When God does rip the sky apart to invade this earth & to welcome us into His presence, all of the frustrations of this short journey will be eclipsed and forgotten.

Tuesday - Isaiah 63 - When God Wears Red

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HE pain and misery that pervades our lives on this planet demonstrate well enough that God is serious in His hatred of evil. Here in Isaiah 63 we have an even more certain proof of God's disdain for evil. Who is the one in garments dyed red in Isaiah 63:1? It is God. Why are His garments red? They are red with the blood of rebels. If you don't believe it, then just read Isaiah 63:3. Vengeance against the unbelieving, as well as redemption for the believing, are both sure purposes in God's heart (Isaiah 63:4). Both salvation and fury are in His words (Isaiah 63:5). It seems strange to find loving-kindness, goodness and mercy in Isaiah 63:7 after so many references to God's just wrath in the earlier verses, but somehow both perspectives are necessary to get a complete view of who our God is. He loves and saves His children with extravagant grace. And, He obliterates His perpetual enemies in holy anger.

God is afflicted by the affliction of His children. His presence is our salvation. With love and pity He brings us forth from our cocoon of rebellion (Isaiah 63:9-10). Although we have vexed His heart like His lasting enemies have, He has heard our prayers of faith and repentance. And, more importantly, He has remembered His own plans, purposes and promises (Isaiah 63:11 & 15). We melt with amazement when we recognize the thorough generosity of God's unmerited favor demonstrated in His gracious rescue of sinners. And, we bow in humble amazement when we see both of those things on Calvary's cross. On that day, God wore a red robe of rage against sin as He executed His own Son in our place. And, if a man isn't covered by what happened on that day, he will certainly be destroyed by what will happen on the day when He dons a white robe and then turns it red with blood as He executes justice in this earth (Rev. 19:11-16). 

Monday - Isaiah 62 - Hephzibah in Beulah; Delighted in Marriage

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HERE is no doubt at all that the physical and literal marriage of one man to one woman in this life is representative of a greater relationship – which is similar, but altogether spiritual (Hosea 2:16, 19, 20, Eph. 5:31, 32 & Rev. 19:9). God is preparing us even now for an eternal intimacy that will surely make even a good marriage here look shallow by comparison. For those of us who have joined God's family, eternity is bound to be better than anything we could ever imagine (1^st Cor. 2:9).

Now, Hephzibah means "my delight" and Beulah means "married" - so, as Isaiah was prophesying in Isaiah 62:4, we see that a day will come when Israel will be God's delight. As such, God and His people will be forever married to that land – to Beulah land. We commonly sing of Beulah land, and mean heaven.  And, since the familiar description that we commonly think of as "heaven" is called by the title "New Jerusalem" in Revelation 21:2, the title Beulah land is not altogether improper. But truly, Palestine is actually going to be Beulah land here on earth. And, for the Christian in this church age, Canaan represents continual victory through faith.

I do not mean to downplay the importance of Jerusalem. It is the city of God.  God has placed His name there, and someday Christ Himself will indeed rule and reign in person on the physical throne of David in Jerusalem. When He does come to earth, He will come with judgment and righteousness. Those who oppose Him will pay dearly. Those who receive Him will be richly rewarded in this city forever.