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by Sandy Shaw
In Isaiah Chapter 57 , we are reading of things, which Israel did before they were carried off captive into Babylon. Society had decayed before the Exile. Israel had become idolatrous and unfaithful, and to this people God has sent Isaiah.
They are now going back to their own land - they are returning home - and God is warning them so that they will not revert back to their old ways. God is reminding them of what they had done - the sins that had weakened them - and which had displeased God - and which had brought judgement upon a whole nation.
God is saying to Isaiah - "Now remind My People - refresh their memories - warn the new generation so that it will not happen again, or the consequences might have to be repeated.
There are times when Jesus says things to us - now you did this - you said that - you displeased me - you disobeyed me - whatever it might be.
The Holy Spirit is the Finger of God and he has a knack of putting his finger on something and pointing it out.
Verse 1 - One thing happened before they were taken off to Babylon as prisoners and captives. The righteous perished. We do not know how many. Those who were righteous in the sight of God - some of those who were living holy lives - pleasing and obeying God - died!
No one asked why! No one pondered it - no one wondered. Devout men died and no one understood what God was doing - or even enquired.
Isaiah explains it here. God took them so that they would be spared from evil. Those who were pleasing God - and walking uprightly - were taken out of this world - and God gave them peace - and in death they found rest.
Society was unmoved by the loss of godly leaders. This is the mark of a serious spiritual malady in society – nobody feels such a person will be missed – their greatest need was godly men and women. There can be times when God does that. Others had to go through it - Isaiah - Jeremiah - Daniel.
If you want an AIM - a GOAL - a VISION – get it from the risen JESUS.
Verse 3 - Does that sound like 2025? Immorality had produced children who did not have the security of a father and mother.
Remember – every child has two parents – every child which comes into our world has a father and a mother.
People mocked - they sneered - they stuck out their tongue at God and His prophets and His Word. They were rebels because of the way they had been brought into this world. That explains a lot in our 2025 world.
Verse 6 - They had turned to worship idols and God had been displaced from their lives. The people were worshipping false gods. There was immorality beneath the trees - and in the valley they were sacrificing children.
Today we kill them in the hospitals before they are born and then give a knighthood - and then elevate to the House of Lords - the man who made it legal to do this.
Verse 8 - In their homes they put up pagan symbols. Behind their public profession their lies a secret paganism. These were symbols of idolatry – of pagan worship. They were forsaking GOD - and that leads to all kinds of tragedies - and judgements.
Deuteronomy 6 verse 4 – Israel was to be a distinct people – with the Word of God on their door frames. Something else was happening in Israel now!
There was an outward profession but a practical atheism. All this wearied and weakened the nation.
Verse 11 – They did not fear GOD. The fear of God had gone out of the lives of these people – they had misinterpreted God’s patience – God had been silent – God had withheld His Hand in judgement – Peter speaks about this in his letters.
A loss of the fear of the Lord can lead to carelessness. They were more afraid of people than they were afraid of GOD.
Verse 10 - Hopeless was a word used in prayer – they would not admit to the situation being hopeless.
Verse 11 – There was a loss of the fear of God. They tried to do it all by themselves. Surely there would be no future for this people – and no other answer but that God would be finished with them.
He is preparing to come to them and revive them and bring them back to Himself.
We have no right to the refreshing grace of God which they and we so need – but now God speaks to them – grace rises higher than logic or justice.
Verse 14 – There is a future for this people – what an encouragement to Israel and to us. God is going to come into Babylon and bring them back to Him – build up – prepare the road.
“Lord God – we can hardly believe what we are reading in these verses – but we see much of it before our eyes today in the society around us. As we humbly bow before You, have mercy – Your love and grace and forgiveness and power are available, but so few are hungry and thirsty and eager. Holy Father, we look to You and pray in Jesus Name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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