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Lucifer, Son Of The Morning
Isaiah re-affirms God’s plan of salvation for His chosen ones. Let us note the kindness and gentleness of the Lord toward His weak, weary people. He knows what we can bear. He is sensitive to our needs. Because the Lord knew what Judah must endure in captivity He upheld and sustained His bruised children with promises of mercy and, in due time, rest from sorrow, fear and bondage. The Lord will have mercy on Jacob, He will remember Israel. Purpose in pain Trials are necessary to mortify our flesh, humble our pride and shake our self-confidence. An easy life is an unproductive life, certainly in spiritual matters. In our need the Saviour proves His love for us and cultivates our growth in grace. It is…
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A Man More Precious Than Gold
Previously, in chapters 1-12, Isaiah has spoken of Messiah, His spiritual kingdom and the gospel of salvation by Him. Now begins a series of chapters in which ‘burdens’ or events are foretold concerning the ruin of the enemies of God’s people. These prophecies commence with Babylon into whose hands the people of Israel and Judah must be delivered captive for a period known as the Babylonian Exile or Babylonian Captivity. God gives Isaiah this vision to comfort the Jews during their exile and to confirm the remnant will be delivered from it. Tools in God’s hands Observe how God uses means to accomplish His purpose. He will destroy Babylon by means of the Medes and Persians, one empire will overthrow another. These nations acted freely…
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“Unto Us”
The Lord’s message to Isaiah combines prophecies foretelling punishment for the wicked with promises of mercy and comfort for God’s remnant people. Judah’s enemies were tools in God’s hands, enlisted to bring judgment on the nation that forgot the Lord. Yet even as Assyria assembled to do God’s will, a message of hope accompanied God’s warnings. Isaiah spoke of a coming child, the virgin’s child, whose kingdom and power will never end. The Lord was thoughtful to comfort His people despite the trouble and sorrow ahead. Isaiah’s gospel Soon Israel would be ravaged, Judah and Jerusalem would follow, but deliverance and salvation is the portion of all to whom the Lord shows grace. The gospel comforts all who rest upon God’s word and Isaiah preached…
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I And The Children
The writer to the Hebrews tells us the Lord spoke by the prophets in ‘divers ways’ and this diversity is highlighted in our verses today. Having spoken publicly and directly to the king concerning Judah’s deliverance from the Syria/Israel confederacy, Isaiah repeats the message of the previous chapter. The king would know, his court would know, the people would hear, and see with their own eyes, the glory and sovereignty of God. Ignorance is no excuse for unbelief. A broad message Careful reading of this whole chapter will prove helpful. Without directly naming who he is addressing Isaiah speaks to different groups, condemning some, encouraging and comforting others. He speaks to those who fear Syria/Israel and to some who want to submit and join them,…
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A Sign, A Son, Immanuel
This chapter of holy scripture shines amongst the brightest portions of Old Testament prophecy for one key verse. Isaiah tells Ahaz, king of Judah, ‘the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel’. Here the Lord God unfolds a most explicit prophecy concerning the coming Messiah and His purpose of salvation, redemption and grace. A single message As we have seen, these revelations were for the hearing and obedience of faith. God’s prophets informed the Lord’s elect concerning His covenant promises. These revelations confirmed the church in believing, and reassured God’s people in times of trouble and danger. God provided the prophets with a progressively unfolding message of sovereign grace. Isaiah…
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Here Am I; Send Me
The sixth chapter of Isaiah has long been admired for the grandeur of the vision it contains of the Lord’s divine glory. For Christians, Isaiah reveals much of Christ and His successful work of atonement. It is Christ who is seated on the throne and the church is His train. The Lord God Jehovah in His three persons is also evident, implied perhaps, in the threefold repetition of ‘Holy’ by the worshipping heavenly host. Only one priest and king Isaiah supplies a precise date for this vision. It was in the year king Uzziah died. Uzziah had been a successful king in Judah and the nation prospered while he was faithful to Jehovah, and ‘did that which was right in the sight of the Lord’,…
