This study comes from Reading Plan week 58, Isaiah 40-48. Other studies from this week's reading:
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Introduction It’s truly amazing to try and count the number of times that Israel strayed from God and was brought back into a right relationship with Him, whether during the period of the judges, the kings, or until Christ’s First Coming. Over and over and over again, God adhered to a pattern of judgment, grace, and redemption which is once again explained through Isaiah as it relates not just to historical Babylon, but to the future iterations or “types” of Babylon to follow. Israel’s chance for redemption did not end with it’s rejection of Christ and His acceptance by Gentiles, but will experience one final, ultimate fulfillment in the End Times. What happened historically in Isaiah’s time repeats itself throughout history and is due to happen one last time again. |
1But now, thus says the Lord, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed I have called you by name; you are 2When you pass through the And through the rivers, they will When you walk through the fire, you Nor will the flame burn you. 3For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. 4Since you are precious in My Since you are honored and I love I will give other men in your place 5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the And gather you from the west. 6I will say to the north, ‘Give them And to the south, ‘Do not hold them Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of 7Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My Whom I have formed, even whom I |
[Read v.1-7] Q: What are the 3 things God has done for Israel according to v.1?
It is the complete, biblical picture of salvation that includes the past, present, and future combined into God’s plan of redemption. His calling is unique, yet tied to His will for them to carry out His work and ways.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 Q: What do the references to water and fire in v.2 represent? A: Waters generally refer to persecutions from men, fire to personal afflictions in the course of this life. God’s people are not exempt from experiencing these things, but protected in the course of them.
[Note: We know that Babylon as a biblical entity occurs again and again throughout Scripture, that the original, historic Babylon teaches about a repeated pattern throughout Jewish history until its final fulfillment in the Last Days. A possible interpretation of v.2 is that “the waters” represents the Egyptians, “the rivers” the Babylonians, “the fire” the Greeks, and “the flame” the Romans as this pattern repeated itself.]
Q: What are the words which connect v.1 and v.3 to solidify the entire opening message that regardless of earthly circumstances, Israel is safe and protected by God? A: “Redeemed” (v.1) and “ransom” (v.3). The literal Hebrew meaning of the word “redeemed” means “to ransom by a price paid in lieu of captives”. This is the very picture of what Christ did on the cross for us, paying our ransom so that we would no longer be captives to sin.
Q: How is it possible that Egypt and the others are given by God in Israel’s place?
Q: What is God’s motivation? Why does He say that He will do this on Israel’s behalf? A: There are 3 reasons given in v.4:
God’s communication of these things is supposed to alleviate Israel’s fears of the circumstances, knowing that He is working for their good.
Q: What action will God undertake which will act as proof of His affection for Israel? A: According to v.6, He will return them to the land of Israel from wherever they have been dispersed throughout the earth. (Note how this has happened more than once and is again a recurring element of the overall pattern.)
Q: What is intimated in v.7 to reveal to us God’s overall, combined goals for these actions? A: For His name and glory.
Point: What began here has repeated itself throughout history, and has a final fulfillment to come in the End Times. God is not through with Israel yet. What happened then will happen again. |
8Bring out the people who are blind, And the deaf, even though they have 9All the nations have gathered So that the peoples may be Who among them can declare this And proclaim to us the former Let them present their witnesses Or let them hear and say, “It is 10“You are My witnesses,” “And My servant whom I have So that you may know and And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God And there will be none after Me. 11I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me. 12It is I who have declared and And there was no strange god So you are My witnesses,” “And I am God. 13Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can I act and who can reverse it?” |
[Read v.8-13] Q: What are the 2 basic groups that are being compared and contrasted in these verses? A: Those who cling to the One True God, and those who cling to false gods.
Q: Of what kind of formal “meeting” or venue does the language used in these verses speak of? A: The references to “present their witnesses” and “let them hear” are legal terms describing, if possible, a courtroom-type of hearing wherein every nation is gathered together at the same time to hear and provide evidence for their god.
Q: What is the specific role of Israel within this context? A: “You are My witnesses” (v.10 & 12). Their testimony as outlined here highlights God’s divinity, sovereignty, salvation, and power over every entity real or imagined. God’s people are supposed to be a stark contrast in both knowledge and faith concerning spiritual matters, not blind or deaf as the non-Believers are described.
Q: What is the repeated theme in these verses that teaches about the relationship of God to all peoples on the earth? A: The repeated theme is salvation.
Point: God’s opening message to Israel in v.1-7 of His plan of redemption for Israel is expanded here to encompass everyone. There is no salvation for ANYONE apart from it being effected by God and God alone. |
14Thus says the Lord your “For your sake I have sent to And will bring them all down as Even the Chaldeans, into the 15I am the Lord, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.” 16Thus says the Lord, Who makes a way through the And a path through the mighty 17Who brings forth the chariot and The army and the mighty man (They will lie down together and They have been quenched and 18“Do not call to mind the former Or ponder things of the past. 19Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the Rivers in the desert. 20The beasts of the field will glorify The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people. 21The people whom I formed for Will declare My praise. |
[Read v.14-21] Q: What is God promising to do in v.14? A: He’s promising judgment on Babylon. They were very proud of ships which they used to navigate the Tigris and Euphrates to the Persian Gulf, which they tried to escape in when the Medo-Persian Empire overthrew them. It’s a kind of turnabout on the fact that they trusted in their own strength to save them.
Q: Why is God alluding to what He did to Egypt in v.17-18? A: It’s encouragement that just as He intervened to save them from the Egyptians by providing a miracle crossing of the sea and destruction of the pursuing army, so God will again provide like protection and salvation of Israel returning out of Babylon to Israel. So it will also be in its final fulfillment in the Last Days.
Q: Of what are v.18-21 speaking? What does it describe? A: It speaks of spiritual revival not just for Israel alone, but for the rest of the world as well. Just as Israel was once guided across the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land, so they will be guided in their return to same, but with an even greater outpouring of God’s Spirit. The beasts represent the Gentiles who previously had no understanding of how to be reconciled to God.
This probably speaks of the spiritual revivals which accompanied Israel’s historic returns to God after every major invasion/captivity, to the advent of Christ’s First Coming, and to the spiritual revival that is repeatedly prophesied in conjunction with Christ’s Second Coming. Point: God’s plan of salvation – while giving a primary role to Israel – is for all mankind. Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! Romans 11:12 |
22“Yet you have not called on Me, But you have become weary of Me, 23You have not brought to Me the Nor have you honored Me with your I have not burdened you with Nor wearied you with incense. 24You have bought Me not sweet Nor have you filled Me with the fat Rather you have burdened Me with You have wearied Me with your |
[Read v.22-24] Q: Just as there is a repeated pattern of judgment and restoration, what other part of this repeating legacy is being described here? A: Israel returns to God for a time, but then slips back into a sinful lifestyle. Rather than being obedient to the Law and fulfilling it from a right and loving heart, their sin pollutes and destroys their relationship with Him. Historically, they repeat this behavior, and this is how they will treat Christ at His First Coming as well. “You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the Lord of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?” says the Lord. Malachi 1:13 Point: While there is a “one-time” component to initially coming to God, the biblical definition of salvation is adhering to and walking in God’s ways, forsaking the sin of the old life for obedience to the new. What was initiated has to be carried out each and every day going forward. |
25“I, even I, am the one who wipes And I will not remember your sins. 26Put Me in remembrance, let us State your cause, that you may be 27Your first forefather sinned, And your spokesmen have 28So I will pollute the princes of And I will consign Jacob to the ban |
[Read v.25-28] Q: How does THIS legal proceeding or court case compare to the previous one in v.8-13? A: This is exclusively limited to His people in regard to their personal behavior. If they would return to God, He would be their Advocate; but if they will not, they will be convicted for their sins.
Q: How has this come true historically? Where does this leave Israel today? A: Historically they have been consigned “to the ban” at various times, both during Isaiah’s time and in repeated instances thereafter. Where it leaves Israel at today is in preparation for a final redemption. They have returned to the land, but have yet to return en masse to Christ. There is a final work of redemption yet to come both TO Israel and through them to the world as outlined in End Times Scripture. |
Overall Application
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