Isaiah 54-58
A post by: Dana Parriera:)
It is often said that the God of the Bible is a loving God. But is that True? I have a friend that is a non-believer and she told me that she thinks that the God of the Bible is an angry, mean God.
I totally get what she means. I mean... look at the Bible. It is full of God taking vengeance on those who forsake His Name. It is fluttered with imagery of judgment and wrath. The Lord God of the Bible is a wrathful God, taking the term ‘Judge’ to a whole new level. But isn’t that also a part of what it means ‘to Fear the Lord’? I mean it was Jesus Himself that stated that we are to Fear the Lord, who has the power to throw us, body and soul, into hell.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him (God) who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
But I have a question for you…
Does a courtroom jury who executes justice to a crime, make them guilty of evil?
Well. Do they?
In this same way, the Lord - who is the executer of justice, is not guilty of doing evil.
The Lords ability to Judge, doesn’t cancel out the fact that God is the most loving. Apart from the means of justice that needs to be herald. The Lord God doesn’t just leave us to ourselves. The fact that in the previous chapter of Isaiah in 52-53 points to Jesus, a savior that was sent to save us.
So is the Lord a loving God? Yes, He is. And I can prove it…
Isaiah 54.
Isaiah starts out with words from the Most High God. These words echo a Future Covenant that they didn’t have in the times of the Old Testament, but we do now. They echo a time of hope.
Verse 1: States that the Lord is going to birth something that no man or peoples have planned for. Under the rules and regulations of the Old Covenant, the Lord is going to birth a New Covenant for those that Love Him. This New Covenant is a Relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior.
Verse 2-3: This New Covenant will extend beyond the previous boundaries and borders. It will spread across to the whole world.
Verse 4: This New Covenant will make new people. New creations. That our past will no longer be dictating our future. That we can be free in Christ, and that the time that we were a ‘widow’ (Means a time, that we didn’t live with Christ as our Spiritual Husband and were living in disobedience to Him) will be relevant to the times of being married to the Lord.
Verse 5-6: The Lord is our Spiritual Husband? This is especially hard to understand for men. But that just shows you how much the Lord loves women and honors them, giving them something to understand.
Now you have to understand. That being the Lord’s Bride referred to Israel, as well as personally to His people. This idea is littered throughout the Bible. The Lord is jealous of His Bride and doesn’t want her to go after other men (aka: other gods). We have to think like this. We have a ‘relationship’ with Jesus. That means we are in a relationship with Him. That means that we are called to love and obey Him, out of gratitude for His death and salvation for us.
Verse 7-8: These verses reiterate this idea. That we are the unfaithful wife, prone to leave the Lord and wander to other lovers (Lovers of other things, whether it is the lust for money, sex, pornography, beauty, coveting, lying, ect. All these things prove our disloyalty to the Lord God) and therefore have grieved the Lord. He cast us off, to let us go do what we wanted to. But it was only for a brief moment, as He couldn’t take it any longer and pulled our hearts towards Him, in obedience and love. As He pours out His everlasting love towards us. And He ends with calling Himself, out Redeemer. Telling us, that it is only through Him that we can be saved.
Verse 9-12: Our disobedience to the Lord, reminds Him of the days of Noah and the generation that hated God. We too, live in a generation that hates God. And He sees it. But even when the world is good enough to destroy at the end of the ages, spiritually it will be as the days of Noah - He instead still will have compassion of those whom He loves. He will give us His Covenant of Peace and it will not be removed.
If you notice. A lot of this verbiage is in last book of Bible, Revelation 16, and of the Day of the Lord (Ohhh, the End of the World;). This mentioning of ‘hills being removed and mountains departing’ lets us know that even when the Lord is pouring out His Judgment to destroy the World with fire. That His Steadfast Love will not depart from His people. That is an amazing promise to those who love Him and to those He loves as He prepares for them the glories of Heaven.
This also echoes Revelation 21 and what the New Earth will look like, with beautiful stones that decorate the walls and ground floor of those who live with Jesus, in the afterlife.
Verse 13-14a: Is a promise to those who love the Lord. That He will personally teach His children. And for us parents. If we honor the Lord by living in Righteousness.
Verse 14b: Is another reference to the End of the World. And that we too will be saved on the Day of the Lord, and not have terror of what is to come, because we will be spared from the wrath of God, as we are His people. This reference shadows Isaiah 2 verbiage of the “Coming Day of the Lord”. This word ‘terror’ mimics being afraid of the Lord when He casts Judgment on the Earth. But those who are in the Grace and Peace of the Lord, will be spared ‘Terror’.
Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty.
And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.
to enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.
Verse 15: States that anyone who is a troublemaker, isn’t from the Father God. But because of how they treat His Children, will be dealt with by God. The Lord takes care of His own and He writes this so that you know, that whomever is maligning you, being unkind to you, hating you, persecuting you, and causing problems for you. Will not go unnoticed or unpunished by the Lord. Allowing those who follow the Lord, to have peace knowing that God has got all of this. "Vengeance is Mine, declares the Lord."
Verse 16-17: Sates that the Lord is the Creator of all. He is the Creator of those that are evil and those that are good. He is the one who creates evil armies and He is the one that will destroy evil armies. But He also has the power to save those He loves. Evil armies might have the power to kill the body. But they can not dictate were the soul goes. Only God can. And in the Day of Judgement our voices will go out against those who did evil to us. In all these things, the Lord promises us a heritage. A birthright. A legacy. A future beyond this body, with Him forever. And for these reasons - We will die for the Lord. Knowing that our justice goes beyond this physical world.
Isaiah 55
How can we have life everlasting with the One True God?
What must we pay? What must we do?
Verse 1-3: States that we who long for something greater, than can be satisfied through physical means, is offered by God. This longing of the heart. This longing of the soul. This peace. This grace. All these things can be given to us. Free of charge. We don't deserve any of it. But that makes the gift greater, doesn’t it? We can buy from the Lord, without money.
In this World we buy physical things hoping to fill the longing inside. Instead, what we really long for is something that can never be physically boughten from a store. Jesus says this in John 7:37. That He is the One who has the freedom to give living water (The Holy Spirit) and come and eat that our soul may live (Which points to the Communion of Bread and Wine, a physical thing in which to remember a Spiritual thing.) And who is the love for David? The house of David? The True Messiah - Jesus the Christ.
Verse 4-5: States that Jesus will lead His people and they will not be a people like Israel, just one nation. But the idea of Gentiles (Non-Israelites) running to the Lord Jesus, to make a new nation. An invisible nation. Those who belong to the Body of Christ. Those who belong both to the invisible Church and the visible Church. The Bride of Christ.
Verse 6: You must obey and follow the Lord, while there is still time. Call upon the Lord, who hears, while He is calling you to Himself. Because there will come a day, when the calling - is sadly over.
Verse 7-9: States that we are to continue to do the things that god has called us to do. For those of us, who seek the YHWH of the Bible. We are to continue in righteous living as instructed in 1 John 3. And those who hate God, will continue to be lovers of sin. But we must not be lovers of sin, who say we love God. For this is the way that He has determined it to be. We must not fight this. For the Lord is wiser and smarter than man. And if this is the way that He has destined it to be. Then we must submit and fulfill what He has called us to do.
Verse 10-11: States that the Lord has a system. Just as the rain cycle waters the Earth. So the Lord’s system of His Word cycling though the hearts of men on Earth - causing the outcome that He has designed. The Lord is in control of all things. Including the salvation of all the men and women He choses.
Verse 12-13: States that for those of us whose Joy is the Lord. Will rejoice with the creation that God has made, as well as His plan for salvation for men. Instead of evil, we will have peace. Instead of problems, we shall have praise. Not because we will have an easy life. But because we will have the right perspective. And nothing can hinder those whose hope is the Lord. And in our hearts we know that if the Lord is for us - Who could be against us?
Psalm 30:11-12
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth (mourning attire) and clothed me with gladness,that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Isaiah 56
The Lord God of the Bible. Started His Covenant with the people of Israel. But in the days of Isaiah he prophesied about times, like today. Where someone can come to faith to the God of the Bible. No matter what his background. No matter who her family is. No matter how much money he makes. No matter what she looks like. No matter the race or previous religion. No matter anything other than the heart of those who long to love the God of the Bible. This New Covenant will stretch beyond the seas and into the hearts of anyone who hears the Name of the Lord - Jesus - and believes in His Name. But it doesn’t end there. Instead it is just the beginning of the journey. And after the starting point of bedeviling is established. We move onto the next point. And that is living… How is a New Believer and an Old Believer to live? How is one who worships the Lord of the Bible to act?
Verse 1-2a: States the heart of God. This echoes Micah 6:8.
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Here. The Lord speaks to His people about what He expects from them. To those who ‘Do this’. Not to those who know this, or talk like this. But to those who do it. Those who live it.
Verse 2b-8: This is all about keeping the Sabbath. Now the Sabbath is NOT a reference to going to church on Sunday. In fact that never has been something that God has asked us to do. If you want some more study on this subject, please go to this link. Where I have already hit this topic…So we don’t spend a year writing and reading this blog post:)
Anyhow. Entering the Lord's Sabbath Rest is super important. As it is our reliance on the saving power of Jesus and His sacrifice for us. We also must keep our hands from evil. In this day and age, that isn’t very easy. But with the Holy Spirit. We can do it. And when we keep the Sabbath and as we enter into His Rest, we will never have to worry about being kicked out or being separated from God. Because it is the Lord who joins us all to Himself. And He will not leave us. This new group. This new invisible nation. This new universal and global Church. Will hold tight to Jesus and the Commandments. As we know that it is His leading for us. This new universal and global Church will be considered a house of prayer. And He will gather new ones (Like the Gentiles - those who are not Israelites and who are the Church) and join them with the original ones (Those who are Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews: His original people) to make up His complete Bride.
Verse 9-12: Now we are talking about those who hear but do not do. Remember how the Lord told us ‘to do’ things and blessed is that man? (Isaiah 56:2)
Now we have the revealing of those who say that they are followers of the Lord and in high positions of leadership. Yet they are disobedient and not doing what they are supposed to be doing. The God of the Bible has eyes that see all things. He is telling us that He sees us, when we are disobedient. He sees us when we are ‘loving to slumber’. Those who love their sin. This refers to Philippians 3:2. Which warns us about False Teachers. False Prophets. And False Leaders. And False Pastors. Those who preach only for a price. Those who fill their bellies and starve their sheep. While they preach peace and hoard their money. Even though this goes on today. The Lord is not blind. And He will have vengeance against those that are leading His people in the wrong way.
Isaiah 57
Verse 1-2: States that a good man dies and no one thinks twice. And no one knows why they die. But they leave this sinful world and enter into peace.
What about those people that don’t listen to the words of the Lord?
Verse 3-10: States that those who are disobedient to the Lord. Better come close and listen to the warning that the Lord has for them. He speaks to those who have grown up in false religions and curse the Lord of Heaven. He asks them, “Who are YOU mocking?” The Lord states: Aren’t you all just sinners who love your sin? Aren’t you the ones who have committed spiritual adultery against the Lord? And have loved sexual immorality? Have killed your children in abortion? Have delighted yourselves around immorality? delighted yourself with worldliness? Sexuality and beauty? Money and power? Pride and things? Busied yourself with dieting and fitness? Busied yourself with hours in front of the television watching things that are evil? Have you not delighted yourself with the love of self? You have given yourself over to other gods. Like a wayward wife, you have taken to the beds of these gods and slept with them in a union of adultery. With the love of these other gods, the Lord of Hosts has looked upon your shame and mocked the journey you made to get were your are at. Instead of turning to the Lord, you have journeyed to the gates of hell and in sin found new strength for life. A new purpose and a new hope. But that Hope wasn’t Jesus.
Verse 11-13a: States. Who was it for, that these people wandered? It wasn’t fear of the Lord that makes the sinner love sin. Who is the fear directed at? It is the fear of man? It is the love of self?
The Lord will declare to these sinners their righteous deeds, but it is no use. As it will not count for anything good. As their evil deeds, far outweigh their good. And when it is revealed. There will be a plethora of idols that are uncovered. These idols of the heart, will give away their unfaithfulness to the Lord.
Verse 13b: But for those who get rid of their idols and fear the Lord, will inherit the afterlife with Him.
Verse 14-19: States that the Lord is preparing His Way to be the Best Way. This God of Holiness, has the name ‘Holy’. He lives in the heavens and will give newness of life to those He loves, despite their evil pasts. The Lord promises that He will not be angry forever and explains why He was angry and that it was because of sin. But instead of continuing in His anger, that He will forgive and let us, who love Him, live in Peace with Him.
Verse 20-21: The Lord ends with a warning for those who long to still do wicked. And for those who still long to be wicked. And that is that they will not have the peace that the Christians will have. And He ends His thought process, as He does in Isaiah 48:22. That there is no peace for the wicked.
Isaiah 58
Fasting.
In today’s modern day. Fasting is used and abused. We have books and diets which use the idea of Fasting. My aunts growing up would ‘Fast because bathing suit season was around the corner’. But this only shows a hint into the using of the term 'Fasting'. What bout the books at the 'Christian Book Store'? The Daniel Fast. The 40 Day Fast. The Jesus Fast. The Fit and Fast. Blah - Blah - Blah. It all makes me sick.
The Lord knew that the idea of Fasting would be stripped naked and drug across of the mud, and the idea of giving something up for His Name - contaminated. But thankfully. He set up real guidelines and warnings to those who Fast for the Lord.
Verse 1-2: We are called to Seek the Lord. He knows the True Believers will seek the Lord, and follow His Commandments. We will honor Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Verse 3a: But there will be those that “Fast” for the Lord, but complain that the Lord didn’t answer them or acknowledge them. These people complain. And the Lord reveals to them the answer they seek…
Verse 3b-4: States that the reason that the Lord didn’t honor their fast. Is because… they fasted for themselves and dishonored others. This goes exactly opposite of the original intent. These people instead Fast for their own purposes and their true colors come out, as they fight and bicker with others instead of loving each other. Do you Fast for your own body? Do you long to loose weight and ‘Fast’ to get the results you long for? Do you long to look spiritual to others? And tell everyone about your prideful ‘Fasting’ experiences? Do authors sell the idea of ‘Fasting’ as getting healthy and fit? Do authors exploit the idea of ‘Fasting’ to get other things out of it, instead of just obedience and seeking the Lord? If so… this is dangerous territory. As the Lord takes these things serious.
The True idea for Fasting. Is to deny yourself of pleasure to put the Lord in the number one position in life. Usually it is food. But it can be other things as well.
Verse 5-8: States the True rules for Fasting. And for Living.
- Humble yourself.
- Bow before the Lord God.
- Get rid of all your wickedness and sin.
- Give all your cares and worries to the Lord.
- Give your food to the poor. The food you would have eaten, make and give away.
- Let the homeless stay at your house and serve them.
- Clothe those who have no clothes.
- Put your own needs last.
This is the kind of "Fasting" that the Lord honors.
There is a great balance between Fasting and Living for the Lord. Fasting is just a extra shot, in the cup of a latte’. If I am making sense to you. It isn’t that we are to Fast and Seek God only while we “Fast” but instead it is extra love and time that we seek, to honor Him and get our priorities straight.
This is an example of how we are to be living. For the Lord. “Seek Justice. Love Mercy. And walk Humbly before God.”
Verse 9-11: Now the Lord tells us about more rules of ‘Fasting’. And for Living. And how the Lord will hear you when you call to Him.
- Take away the man-made rules.
- Stop blaming others.
- Take responsibility for yourself.
- Stop speaking evil things.
- Pour yourself out for the needy and hungry.
- Help the ones that need help.
This is the kind of "Fasting" that the Lord honors. The Lord will honor this kind of Fast and answer the person that longs for the Lord.
Verse 12: Then the Lord will take the broken person and restore him to life. The Lord will make him a new creation.
Verse 13-14: And once your a new creation in Christ. You will get to enter His Sabbath Rest. That is, you get to enter into the New Covenant with Jesus. As He did all the work for our salvation. And we will enter into that ‘Sabbath’ rest. That peaceful rest. That peace that passes all understanding. That peace - that God promised to those who believe in Him and in the Name of Jesus Christ.
And that is love. All this. He did for us. In all this. He guided us.
Because He is a God of Love.
He is Love...
And He Loves you...
Isaiah 55:6English Standard Version (ESV)
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
call upon him while he is near;
If you feel the Lord calling you. To love Him. To come and buy from Him - Free of Change. To come and buy Salvation. Do not delay. While there is still time. While His love is still near to us. Click here to Surrender your life to Jesus. And start your journey, with the Most Loving God of the Universe.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. And may the Lord make His Face Shine upon you and give you Peace. Peace that passes all understanding.
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