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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (10 of 10)
Focus Text: Isaiah 66.10-14
A profile of Isaiah would not be complete without mentioning Isaiah’s love for God and for country. Although it is not stated in just so many words, only a deep and abiding love could have motivated such tenacity in the prophet; his endurance of persecutions, taunts, and ridicule came from a heart fully devoted to the cause of righteousness. Actually the love which Isaiah had was but a reciprocal love which he had seen first in Jehovah. We will examine God’s love and the joy that that love brought to the heart of Isaiah.
The word “love” is mentioned in Isaiah’s book but four times and these all fittingly appear in the sections devoted to Israel’s future under Messiah’s reign (chapters 40-66). Our look at Isaiah will close with an overview of one of these marvelous texts. “Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory.” (Isaiah 66.10-11). Re-read this text and pay particular attention to the richness of the blessings that Isaiah foresaw in spiritual Israel’s future; note particularly the phrase “…That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory.” Certainly an abundance of glory was light years away from the actual conditions at the time Isaiah prophesied!
But notice further: “For thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.’” (Isaiah 66.12-13). Hardly could one imagine a more moving and tender picture! One truly amazing aspect of this picture is that Jew and Gentile are depicted as recipients of God’s amazing goodness and unbridled affections. As children “dandled on the knees” so would future generations know God’s overflowing love! How fond a picture! God, as it were is tending His children as a fond parent or grandparent, bouncing His beloved little ones on His knees!
Finally, “…And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” What a tremendous promise and what a warm picture of love and affection. “All the comforts of home” is but a meaningless phrase where love does not live. Yet, Israel’s future was a time of love, comfort, and peace. Messiah would reconcile the enemies of God to one another and to the Father. Comfort was to become a way of life even as peace flowed like a river through the habitation of God’s people. Messiah’s reign was to exist within the Church of our Lord and the Church of the Lord was to be spiritual Israel (see Philippians 3.3 and Galatians 6.16).
The refreshing seasons of love that we presently enjoy as believers were foreseen by Isaiah, God’s prophet of comfort and love. Punishment is sure for those who rebel, but so are everlasting blessings for those who are obedient.
Questions:
1. Why did Isaiah use such rich and picturesque language to prophesy of the gospel age?
2. Why would the idea of comfort be so appealing to those to whom Isaiah spoke and wrote? Why is it appealing to any age, even to ours?
3. Speaking of physical Israel, Paul said to the Romans, “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel…” (Romans 9.6). Who or what is spiritual Israel?
4. From whom did Isaiah learn such marvelous love?
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