Days of Grace in Action

Days of Grace in Action
Isaiah 54-59

Introduction:

When the Lamb was slain in Isaiah 53, the day of Grace that superseded the age of the Law began. 

As the prophet pictured the death and resurrection of the coming Messiah, the Lord began to show him "Grace in Action." The old evaluations of the Law no longer applied. A new day of forgiveness arrived with the resurrected Son of God. 

The ensuing chapters of Isaiah are filled with new valuations, and they reveal the great mercy expressed in the Great Grace which fell among the disciples. Instead of heavy judgments and awesome events of punishment, an avenue to the Throne of Grace was opened. 

Instead of the constant moving in and moving out of favor, based on Israel's repentance or sin, God exercised a level of grace that surpassed anything the ancient world could fathom. With the prophecy of the Messiah also came the "Day of Grace" that never ends. The song rightly says,

O, the love that drew salvation's plan! 
O, the grace that brought it down to man.
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
--At Calvary! (William Newell, 1868-1956)

Grace poured out for all mankind and would precipitate the enlargement of vision and domain for God's covenant people. Hence, the opening lines of Chapter 54 require provision for the 5,000 at Pentecost and the 3,000 afterward. Listen as the prophet expresses the magnitude of such Grace change.

Isaiah 54:1-3
Sing, O childless woman! Break out into loud and joyful song, Jerusalem, for she who was abandoned has more blessings now than she whose husband stayed! 2Enlarge your house; build on additions; spread out your home! 3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams! And your descendants will possess the cities left behind during the exile and rule the nations that took their lands. 
TLB

Grace is poured out first on Jerusalem, the city of great sorrow, which was fresh with memories of slavery and recurring captivities. Grace, coming forth from the heavenly Jerusalem, breaks over the earthly Jerusalem like a soothing balm. The corporate mind of its citizenry expressed itself in such deleterious terms it caused God to embrace them and give assurances of His love. Edification is a major component of grace. Grace encounters sadness and calls for song. Grace looks in the face of shame, grief and abandonment and declares an end to it.

Isaiah 54:4-17
4 Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood will be remembered no more, 5 for your Creator will be your "husband." The Lord Almighty is his name; he is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth. 6 For the Lord has called you back from your grief--a young wife abandoned by her husband. 7 "For a brief moment I abandoned you. But with great compassion I will take you back. 8 In a moment of anger I turned my face a little while; but with everlasting love I will have pity on you," says the Lord, your Redeemer. 

9 "Just as in the time of Noah I swore that I would never again permit the waters of a flood to cover the earth and destroy its life, so now I swear that I will never again pour out my anger on you. 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills disappear, but my kindness shall not leave you. My promise of peace for you will never be broken," says the Lord who has mercy upon you. 

11 "O my afflicted people, tempest-tossed and troubled, I will rebuild you on a foundation of sapphires and make the walls of your houses from precious jewels. 12 I will make your towers of sparkling agate and your gates and walls of shining gems. 13 And all your citizens shall be taught by me, and their prosperity shall be great. 14 You will live under a government that is just and fair. Your enemies will stay far away; you will live in peace. Terror shall not come near. 15 If any nation comes to fight you, it will not be sent by me to punish you. Therefore, it will be routed, for I am on your side. 

16 I have created the smith who blows the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. 17 but in that coming day, no weapon turned against you shall succeed, and you will have justice against every courtroom lie. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. This is the blessing I have given you," says the Lord. 
TLB

Above, verses 8 and 9 contain some of the most compassionate words in the Bible. Read through these passages and let them soak into your spirit. "Creator-husband"-that's it. That's the whole of the Song of Solomon. That is Jesus and His Bride. 

Oh, reader, these promises go way beyond the mindset of Law-dependant Israel. This reaches to today and saturates the message of the gospel with renewed vigor. Let this set of verses become the texts for Sunday sermons. Let this message pour out from a heart filled with the grace of God and then see the results. 

There is THE event, in verse eleven. God is about to rebuild His people on the foundation of the apostles and prophets-Jesus being the chief cornerstone, and we are fitly joined with Him to make the Holy Temple. 

Verse 15 declares that the enemies of God's people are not sent by Him to punish His people. The invaders will be defeated. Take that, ISIS! 

"IN THAT COMING DAY (verse 17)" is the key wording necessary to properly interpret these passages. It is also a key verse for one of the great verses of Scripture. Hanging on to these verses are literally millions who suffer danger and despair. Comfort beyond measure is hidden in these "blessed assurances." Courtroom lies abound in these days. Contrived accusations and purloined witnesses crowd the judicial systems of the world. BUT God!

(This verse was given me in a post office encounter with a believing brother many years ago. He spoke them as prophecy and as a special word from the Lord. He knew nothing about my going to court that day (confronting a law suit against me based on twisted words). I entered that courtroom and before the day was over, I heard my accuser offer $10,000 for damages to me and drop the suit. Do I believe this verse? Yes! I can prove it.)

This is the heritage of the saints! 

If one reads through to chapter 57, it will become evident that the nation Israel is viewed as "spiritual Israel," incorporating all of God's covenant people. The prophet weaves the whole cloth, by references to both his contemporary circumstances and those of the age which would begin with Calvary's power.

Isaiah 56:3-8
And My blessings are for Gentiles, too, when they accept the Lord; don't let them think that I will make them second-class citizens. And this is for the eunuchs too. They can be as much mine as anyone. 4 For I say this to the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths holy, who choose the things that please me and obey my laws: 5 I will give them--in my house, within my walls--a name far greater than the honor they would receive from having sons and daughters. For the name that I will give them is an everlasting one; it will never disappear. 

6 "As for the Gentiles, the outsiders who join the people of the Lord and serve Him and love His name, who are His servants and don't desecrate the Sabbath, and have accepted His covenant and promises, 7 I will bring them also to My holy mountain of Jerusalem and make them full of joy within My House of Prayer. 

"I will accept their sacrifices and offerings, for my Temple shall be called 'A House of Prayer for All People'!" 8 For the Lord God who brings back the outcasts of Israel says, "I will bring others too besides my people Israel."
TLB

Jesus, being full of truth and GRACE, challenged the religious establishment of His day. In His righteous indignation, He brought the strap against those who desecrated the "House of Prayer." No, Isaiah's prophesied house of prayer is His Spiritual one that cannot be desecrated. That is why "in three days" was spoken by Jesus. Paul said the Law gave way to a greater law of Grace. 

Chapter 55
Who could not love this chapter? It is so rich with blessings you want to say like Peter, "No Lord, not just my feet--wash me all over." One wants to bathe in these verses.

Isaiah 55:1-56:1 1 "Say there! Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine and milk--it's all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that doesn't give you strength? Why pay for groceries that do you no good? Listen and I'll tell you where to get good food that fattens up the soul!" 

3 "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you, to give you all the unfailing mercies and love that I had for King David. 

4 He proved my power by conquering foreign nations. 

5 You also will command the nations, and they will come running to obey, not because of your own power or virtue, but because I, the Lord your God, have glorified you." 

6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call upon Him now while he is near. 7 Let men cast off their wicked deeds; let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy upon them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon! 8 "This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are My thoughts the same as yours! 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours. 

10 "As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, 11 so also is My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. 12 You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field--all the world around you--will rejoice. 13 Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord's name very great and be an everlasting sign [of God's power and love]. 
TLB

This IS the Grace Plan! Grace is free. It is not of works. The question is eternally valid, "Why waste time on things that will not satisfy and feed the soul?" Thousands of endeavors by the churches of today need to answer this question. 

To receive this nourishment, it is necessary to approach God with open ears. Hear what is being said, "He will make an everlasting covenant with us." This is the everlasting life part of John 3:16. This is the "unfailing mercies" extended to King David (Much is said of the blessings of Abraham, but who preaches the blessing of David?). 

Notice, that one of the blessings is preaching (commanding) to the nations. Notice also, the reason is that His people are "glorified." The Glorious Church is to command the nations, for they are drawn together by God's power resting upon that body (Isaiah 55:5). 

Verses 6-9 
"Seek the Lord" and He will abundantly pardon. (In the next few chapters such pardon will be seen in abundance.) Verse 6 is the heart of the gospel appeal. Jesus said, "Ask and it shall be given you, Seek and you will find, Knock and it shall be opened to you." When men seek the Lord and find Him, they willfully cast off their sins and banish their wicked deeds. This is the plan of God for redemption and the plan reflects His way of being and doing. 

Verses 10-13
Verse 11 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. His Word is the only infallible word.

My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. 12 You will live in joy and peace.

Who sends His Word out? He does. Once sent, it accomplishes all He intended. It finds favor and prospers everywhere He sends it. The end result is joy and peace for His people. One would think there would be more joy and peace among Word people than there is! 

The sower and the seed.
Jesus taught about the sower and the seed. He pointed out how briars and thorns seek to keep the Word from being effective, but in these verses, His Word overcomes the briars and thorns. The difference is this--Jesus was talking about broadcasting the Word to all hearers. In this passage, God is addressing His people. (O' how the Word prospers in His chosen ones!) 

Chapter 56
The first eight verses seem disjointed from the remainder of the chapter. I believe this is because the chapter break should begin with verse 9 and be connected to Chapter 57. As we have dealt with this passage earlier, there is but one other point which must be made.

Isaiah 56:7-8
7 I will bring them also to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and make them full of joy within my House of Prayer. 

"I will accept their sacrifices and offerings, for My Temple shall be called 'A House of Prayer for All People'!" 8 For the Lord God who brings back the outcasts of Israel says, "I will bring others too besides my people Israel." 
TLB

This is the spiritual Temple of His Grace. God has not occupied the Temple at Jerusalem since He departed it in Ezekiel. MY TEMPLE is now in the hearts of man and His dwelling is in the Temple above. Examine these verses for the "I" passages. Note who He brings, "the outcasts of Israel," and joins to others. National and religious Israel did cast His people out and as the Gospel Word prospered, the heathen (Gentiles) were brought in. There is room in His Temple for you and me. 

Chapter 57
The last few verses of Chapter 56 are reasonably joined to those of Chapter 57. A change of tenor is noted in that the Lord reveals His Grace in the face of their demeanor.

Isaiah 56:9 to57:1
9 Come, wild animals of the field; come, tear apart the sheep; come, wild animals of the forest, devour my people. 

10 For the leaders of my people--the Lord's watchmen, his shepherds--are all blind to every danger. They are featherbrained and give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie there, love to sleep, to dream. 11 And they are as greedy as dogs, never satisfied; they are stupid shepherds who only look after their own interest, each trying to get as much as he can for himself from every possible source. 

12 "Come," they say. "We'll get some wine and have a party; let's all get drunk. This is really living; let it go on and on, and tomorrow will be even better!" 
TLB

Pardon me, but is this a commentary on modern leadership? It sounds to me that God is saying, "Those Shepherds, who could have prevented the ravishing of my flock, were too interested in other things to do their job?" THAT is the exact case today! The wild animals (devourers) have every right to come against His people, for the gate has been left open. O, I wonder will this text ever be preached?

Isaiah 57:1, 2
The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. 2 For the godly who die shall rest in peace. 
TLB

So, now we know a principle of heaven!

Isaiah 57:3-58:1
"But you--come here, you witches' sons, you offspring of adulterers and harlots! 4 Who is it you mock, making faces and sticking out your tongues? You children of sinners and liars! 5 You worship your idols with great zeal beneath the shade of every tree and slay your children as human sacrifices down in the valleys, under overhanging rocks. 6 Your gods are the smooth stones in the valleys. You worship them, and they, not I, are your inheritance. Does all this make me happy? 7 You have committed adultery on the tops of the mountains, for you worship idols there, deserting me. Behind closed doors you set your idols up and worship someone other than me. This is adultery, for you are giving these idols your love instead of loving me. 9 You have taken pleasant incense and perfume to Molech as your gift. You have traveled far, even to hell itself, to find new gods to love. 10 You grew weary in your search, but you never gave up. You strengthened yourself and went on. 11 Why were you more afraid of them than of me? How is it that you gave not even a second thought to me? Is it because I've been too gentle that you have no fear of me?

12 "And then there is your 'righteousness' and your 'good works'--none of which will save you. 13 Let's see if the whole collection of your idols can help you when you cry to them to save you! They are so weak that the wind can carry them off ! A breath can puff them away. But he who trusts in me shall possess the land and inherit my Holy Mountain. 14 I will say, 'Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones. Prepare a glorious highway for my people's return from captivity.'" 

15 "The high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: I live in that high and holy place where those with contrite, humble spirits dwell; and I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts. 16 For I will not fight against you forever, nor always show my wrath; if I did, all mankind would perish--the very souls that I have made. 17 I was angry and smote these greedy men. But they went right on sinning, doing everything their evil hearts desired. 18 I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them andcomfort them, helping them to mourn and to confess their sins. 19 Peace, peace to them, both near and far, for I will heal them all. 20 But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still, but always churns up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace," says my God, "for them!
TLB

Beginning in Isaiah 57:3, the Lord changes His focus to the general public (whom the leaders have left as prey for the ravenous wolves). God calls them witch's sons, illegitimate children, children of liars and sinners. These "offspring of deceit" never stop searching for idols and new religions. 

God asks the question: "Have I been too gentle?" 

Because many pursued man-made righteousness and did good works, they felt justified in their endeavors. (They probably took up money for orphans; started charitable foundations, campaigned for the environment and ran relays to raise cash for veterans. They attended rallies and supported candidates they felt were worthy. They probably gave to the poor and needy and even had accurate scales in business.) God said He smote these evil men because "they went right on sinning, doing everything their evil hearts desired." 

Right in the middle of God's appraisal of the public, He breaks loose with grace passages that apply to the truly righteous.. The latter half of verse 13 and all of 14 and 15 constitute a much different tone. The Lord offers them a different outcome.

1. He who trusts in me shall possess the land and inherit My Holy Mountain.

2. I live in that high and holy place where those with contrite, humble spirits dwell.

3. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant heart.

Surprisingly, God extends His grace to the charlatans He knows are gross sinners. After telling them He is aware of their transgressions, He says, "I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway!" Grace is like that! God looks into the future and sees them repent and turn to Him. Grace is forward looking. God says He will heal them, lead them, comfort them and help them. Indeed, "God is good and His mercy endures forever." 

Chapter 58 
The title of the opening lines of this Chapter should be "Just look at them now." It is one thing to see into the future and call those things that be not as though they were, but it doesn't necessarily change the "nasty now and now."

Isaiah 58:1-2
Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast; tell My people of their sins! 2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and are so delighted to hear the reading of my laws--just as though they would obey them--just as though they don't despise the commandments of their God! How anxious they are to worship correctly; oh, how they love the Temple services! 
TLB

Does this sound familiar? 

Could these verses apply to modern Christendom? Actually, these worshippers exceed modern ones. Isaiah is describing the "religious hypocrite (The Judas principle)." 

Isaiah uses the "straw man" method, by having the subjects offer their paucity hypothetically. (I can imagine Isaiah adjusting his voice and mockingly offering their statement of faithlessness.)

Isaiah 58:3ff
We have fasted before you,' they say. 'Why aren't you impressed? Why don't you see our sacrifices? Why don't you hear our prayers? We have done much penance, and you don't even notice it!' 
TLB

All the elements of sound religious practice are proffered (shown in bold type), and the subjects are amazed that God is not "blown away" with their efforts. Any church official would ascribe these activities as being "top notch," but what does God say? He doesn't answer their prayers, but He does answer their argument.

Isaiah 58:4-5
I'll tell you why! Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting, and you keep right on oppressing your workers. 4 Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with Me. 5 Is this what I want--this doing of penance and bowing like reeds in the wind, putting on sackcloth and covering yourselves with ashes? Is this what you call fasting?
TLB

The Lord then defines a fast and what is acceptable to Him. Why would He do this? The culture and society of that day had re-defined almost every aspect of the spiritual field. The same is true today. The Rabbi's of redefinition have taught the people "their view of what is acceptable to God."

Isaiah 58:6-7
6 No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn. 7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don't hide from relatives who need your help
TLB

Tangible evidence of a true heart! 

What follows is a further definition of holy living. It ends with a declaration: "The Lord Has Spoken." This is not conjecture for these are promises. Recipients don't get to say, "I wonder what He meant by that?" A clear and final word has been given. "If-Then" conditions are laid out.

Isaiah 58:8-14
If you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then, when you call, the Lord will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' He will quickly reply. All you need to do is to stop oppressing the weak and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! 

10 "Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. 11 And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12 Your sons will rebuild the long-deserted ruins of your cities, and you will be known as 'The People Who Rebuild Their Walls and Cities.' 

13 "If you keep the Sabbath holy, not having your own fun and business on that day, but enjoying the Sabbath, speaking of it with delight as the Lord's holy day, and honoring the Lord in what you do, not following your own desires and pleasure nor talking idly- 14 then the Lord will be your delight, and I will see to it that you ride high and get your full share of the blessings I promised to Jacob, your father." The Lord has spoken.
TLB

Some of the richest promises are offered to the people, "If" they will repent. The grace of God wants to shower blessings on His people. Just review what God said He would do.

1. God will shed his own glorious light upon you.

2. He will heal you;

3. (Your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you), and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

4. God will answer when you call.

5. The Lord will guide you continually, and

6. Satisfy you with all good things, and

7. Keep you healthy too; (and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.) 12 Your sons will rebuild the long-deserted ruins of your cities, and you will be known as "The People Who Rebuild Their Walls and Cities."

8. The Lord will be your delight, and I will see to it that you ride high and get your full share of the blessings I promised to Jacob, your father.

That's eight, the number of new beginnings. God is saying, "I will start with you at your point of repentance and make these things happen in your behalf." Grace does that! 

Chapter 59
Should this chapter have a title it would be, "A national confession of sin." Isaiah pleads with the people and then offers a litany of unconfessed sin. He points to the Lord and virtually says, "If My people will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, I will hear from heaven above and heal their land."

Isaiah 59:1-8
1 Listen now! The Lord isn't too weak to save you. And he isn't getting deaf! He can hear you when you call! 2 But the trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God. Because of sin he has turned his face away from you and will not listen anymore. 3 For your hands are those of murderers and your fingers are filthy with sin. You lie and grumble and oppose the good. 4 No one cares about being fair and true. Your lawsuits are based on lies; you spend your time plotting evil deeds and doing them. 5 You spend your time and energy in spinning evil plans that end up in deadly actions. 6 You cheat and shortchange everyone. Everything you do is filled with sin; violence is your trademark. 7 Your feet run to do evil and rush to murder; your thoughts are only of sinning, and wherever you go you leave behind a trail of misery and death. 8 You don't know what true peace is, nor what it means to be just and good; you continually do wrong and those who follow you won't experience any peace either.
TLB

What shall we say? Does this not describe the "national" scene today? This next passage uses a repetitive phrase, "No wonder."

Isaiah 59:9-15
9 It is because of all this evil that you aren't finding God's blessings; that's why he doesn't punish those who injure you. No wonder you are in darkness when you expected light. No wonder you are walking in the gloom. 10 No wonder you grope like blind men and stumble along in broad daylight, yes, even at brightest noontime, as though it were the darkest night! No wonder you are like corpses when compared with vigorous young men! 11 You roar like hungry bears; you moan with mournful cries like doves. You look for God to keep you, but He doesn't. He has turned away. 12 For your sins keep piling up before the righteous God and testify against you. 

Yes, we know what sinners we are. 13 We know our disobedience; we have denied the Lord our God. We know what rebels we are and how unfair we are, for we carefully plan our lies. 14 Our courts oppose the righteous man; fairness is unknown. Truth falls dead in the streets, and justice is outlawed. 

15 Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who tries a better life is soon attacked. The Lord saw all the evil and was displeased to find no steps taken against sin.
TLB

Isaiah confessed their corporate sin; he leaves no stone unturned. He even shows the futility of their mis-applied faith.

You look for God to keep you, but He doesn't. He has turned away.

Oh Church, it is time to review our practices and those of our people! 

The Lord, in His grace, cries against their situation. The question of history was asked to Isaiah at the beginning of His work, "Who will go for Me?" Because no standard has been raised against gross sin, the Lord declares He will bridge the gap and defend His people. How we need this today! Of course, Isaiah is talking about Jesus in these passages-like a Father speaks of His Son.

Isaiah 59:16-21
6 He saw no one was helping you and wondered that no one intervened
. Therefore He himself stepped in to save you through His mighty power and justice. 17 He put on righteousness as armor and the helmet of salvation on His head. He clothed Himself with robes of vengeance and of godly fury. 18 He will repay His enemies for their evil deeds--fury for His foes in distant lands. 19 Then at last they will reverence and glorify the name of God from west to east. For He will come like a flood tide driven by Jehovah's breath. 20 He will come as a Redeemer to those in Zion who have turned away from sin. 

21 As for Me, this is My promise to them," says the Lord: "My Holy Spirit shall not leave them, and they shall want the good and hate the wrong--they and their children and their children's children forever. 
TLB

Jesus is seen in this passage, both as triumphant avenger (the Second Coming) and as the great Redeemer (at Calvary). His intervention goes beyond what man could do on his own. He brings the power of heaven and the glory of God with Him and establishes His justice and righteousness. Notice: "driven by the breath of Jehovah" and "foes in distant land." Not just Jerusalem and Israel will be affected in this intervention, but the whole world. 

Closing the chapter is God making a promise about His Holy Spirit. The work of the Spirit in the hearts of men will bring about generations who will love the good and hate the wrong! Such is the work of grace and the gospel.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 06.07.2015

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Thanks to C. R. Oliver and the Newsletter Division for allowing the use of his Bible studies for this book.