I hope to cover chapters 2-6 in this post. The pace will be brisk, but I shall try to
stay on topic.
Chapter 2:1-5 deals with hope for a new Jerusalem in the
future. Isaiah jumps into the very
distant future in these five verses, as he speaks of an everlasting peace among
nations as all nations will become God fearing and obedient to God’s Laws. Only through Jesus could this happen. There are familiar phrases in verse 4, “they
will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks”.
In verses 6-9 Isaiah shifts abruptly back to the current
condition of Judah, and he is speaking to God.
He goes on to describe the people as turning to pagan practices and
bordering worshiping money also. They
are so busy making new idols to worship, they don’t take the time to assess
their situation. In verse 9 Isaiah urges
God “do not forgive them”.
The remaining verses in chapter 2 refer to the day that God
will personally visit Judah. But instead
of referring to this “Day of the Lord” as being a glorious one, Isaiah warns
that this will be a dreadful day when God exacts justice on His disobedient
people. The words he uses are harsh because he wants to be certain that they understand the disastrous road they are
traveling.
Chapter 3 – A Vivid Description of Jerusalem
As you read this chapter you will see Isaiah describe utter
chaos in Jerusalem. Note how he
describes how leaders will be selected in verses 6-7. Note in verse 9 that they parade their sins
in front of everybody. {This suggests
that they are proud of their rebellious acts against God. Sound familiar? It’s alarming when people try to out-do each
other in sinful atrocities. The winner
is always the one who is willing to stoop the lowest. Let’s be careful not to get caught up in
this.} It goes on to address the women
who are preoccupied with out-doing one another with self-adornment and an
outward show of riches. Isaiah is giving
fair warning against this attitude in this chapter. He goes so far as to detail some of the
practices and the punishment that will come, in hopes that the people will
repent and turn back to God and His commandments. Isaiah is using the strongest language he
can. As we read this book, we see that
he continually searches for words that will penetrate the hearts of God’s
people, which should reveal his level of frustration as well.
Chapter 4 is relatively short but vivid. Here he refers to the “Branch” of the Lord,
and its beauty and splendor. But his
main theme in this chapter is concerning the few left in Jerusalem that have chosen
to lead a righteous and Godly life. They
will not only be spared from God’s punished, but they will be glorified. {Isaiah is especially concerned with the
women in Judah, as his references to them are scathing, to suggest that their
behavior has become disgraceful.}
In the first seven verses of chapter 5 Isaiah uses the
parable of a vineyard to describe the city of Jerusalem. It is very simple to follow and is very
appropriate as he says that the vineyard is producing nothing but bad fruit,
and God has wasted His time in caring for it with such a labor of love.
Chapter 5:8-30 – Judgment is Pronounced
Isaiah gets a little more detailed as he writes about the
behavior of God’s people. Early in this
chapter he speaks of those who greedily gobble up land, so much more than they
need, leaving others to suffer without.
He rails against those who drink heavily and actually have contests with
drinking. But he mentions in verse 16
that God will invoke justice when he visits.
You will find an appropriate warning in verse 20 where he is describing
everything as being backwards. {You have
heard me mention this phrase on occasions past, suggesting that our standards
are turned around. This verse describes
it to a tee.} Isaiah goes on to warn
them that they will be brought down by military invasion from a foreign nation,
describing some of the horrors of war that should open some eyes.
Chapter 6 - Isaiah’s Commission
It is at this point that Isaiah chooses to share his
experience and his calling from God. The
setting for Isaiah’s call was a worship service in the Temple in
Jerusalem. God revealed Himself to
Isaiah, which places this prophet in very special company. He points out the exact time of this event as
being the final year of King Uzziah’s reign.
He does his best to describe the glory of the Lord in the Temple, going
on to describe the seraphim which were placed in the Holy of Holies. He describes how one of the seraphim
pronounces the cleansing of Isaiah by touching his mouth with the hot
coal. The seraphim had come alive,
worshiping God singing of His holiness and greatness. They sang “Holy Holy Holy”. {The word “holy” means “separate”. The significance of singing the word three
times means complete in its separateness.
Not only is God separate from humans, but He is separate from everything
on earth, in the heavens, and in the universe.
This hymn of praise was being used as a reminder of God’s power and
position.} In verse 4 he tells of the foundation
of the Temple shaking as it can barely contain the glory of God Himself. It is in verse 5 that shows how frightened
Isaiah had become, as he actually pronounces his own condemnation. This is when the seraphim in verses 6 and 7
cleanses Isaiah of his sins. {This was
necessary before God could commission Isaiah.
The same principle applies today, that we cannot be called by God until
we have been cleansed and our sins have been atoned for. Jesus took care of that for you and me, and
all others that will accept this indescribable gift.} In this act and pronouncement, Isaiah had
received pardon, making him presentable to God.
This was a necessary step in the commission process. Then in verse 8 Isaiah heard God say “Whom
shall I send, and who will go for Us?”
It was then that Isaiah answered the call, as he responded “Here am I;
send me”. Then God commissions
Isaiah. It is short and simple. Go.
Tell. {Sound familiar?} As you read verses 9 and 10, you must realize
that this not to be understood as an intended result, but rather an inevitable
one, God knowing ahead of time how Isaiah’s words will be received. The chapter ends with Isaiah asking “how
long” and God’s answer being less than encouraging. Note that Isaiah was not responsible for how
his message was received, but was responsible only for delivering it accurately
and completely.
Next post – Chapters 7-12
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