Read 202.) Isaiah 57:1-59:21. We soon say goodbye to Isaiah. We've three chapters here. God will accuse the wicked, express comfort toward the contrite, tell us of true fasting and close with the matters of sin, confession, and redemption. Here we go.
Chapter 57 through verse 13 will lay God's charges to the account of the wicked. What kind of things does God especially hate? Check out those first 2 verses will you? Is that ever an amazing thought? God will take a righteous person to spare them from evil! The charges pick up with verse 3. Sorcery, adultery, prostitution, mockers, rebels, liars, human sacrifice, idolatry… and at idolatry He stops to go on at great length about it. The Lord MEANT His First and Second Commandments. No other Gods and NO idols! His people had done all of these things! Beginning at verse 14, we read of the hope for those who will humble themselves. God is willing to come and to be with them and to give them peace, but the last two verses assure, with a long-famous line, "There is no peace for the wicked."
Chapter 58 tells of God's chosen fast. This is a fascinating chapter in that it is not really about fasting hardly at all! A close read from verse 6 on tells us that it is truly about one amending all their ways, to turn from committing any injustice toward others to engaging in acts of mercy and helps toward all those who are in need. He is saying He would rather see such acts of His people than that they would engage in fasts without there being acts of compassion extended to those less fortunate. Note each occasion of 'if' 'then'. If you will do this, then I will do that! So, 'if' you will 'fast' by performing deeds of mercy to those less fortunate, 'then' I will hear you when you call, and I will answer and I will bless and I will help! Go for it and start 'fasting'! See what the Lord will do for you!!!
Chapter 59 opens with the issue of sin and its consequence. Sin separates you from God! The first 11 verses go there, and it results in that which we read in verses 9 thru 11, that of being lost in spiritual darkness. And so confession begins in verse 12. What good will it do? Verses 16 thru 20 tell us. This is literally speaking of those in Israel who will make such a confession in the very End-Times. Their humiliation and confession will result in Christ's Return in the end of their Great Tribulation, and He will save this repenting remnant of Israel. The closing verse speaks of their being eternally saved, having God's Holy Spirit in them! The last 2 readings are going to be filled with incredible words of Israel's Millennial glory, as well of some concerning their future Tribulation. It's what the Book is all about!
ForeverKingdom,
Harold F Crowell
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