God Rescuing The Nation
March 1, 2021
Commentary
God observes that there was no one to stand for truth and intercede in behalf of a sinful society. Like a warrior He goes forth to fight for His people (v. 16). Isaiah describes the clothing that God had already prepared for the salvation of Israel. Righteousness is His breastplate and salvation is His helmet (v. 17). The breastplate and helmet are also described as the armor of the Christian in Ephesians. His other garments are vengeance and zeal. He supplies righteousness and salvation for His people as He zealously executes vengeance on His enemies (v. 18). Because of this people everywhere will acknowledge His glory, majesty and strength (v. 19). He will be the redeemer of those Israelites who turn to Him in repentance (v. 20). He will inaugurate His Covenant, pouring His Spirit on believing Israelites and redeem them by instilling His words within them (v. 21).
Because of Israel’s willful, persistent rebellion the nation became unable to take action against its sins. Sin fills the vacuum left when God’s truth no longer fills our lives. Only God can defeat sin and redeem us. He would rescue the nation from enemy armies and punish wicked Israelites as well. He would also rescue His people from sin, because this is an impossible task for any human. Whether we sin once or many times, out of rebellion or out of ignorance, our sin separates us from God and will continue to separate us until God forgives us and removes it.
Application
I am able to respond to God’s will and distinguish between good and evil because the Holy Spirit dwells within me and has redeemed me (John 14:26).
Isaiah 59:16– 21 (NET)
16 He sees there is no advocate; he is shocked that no one intervenes. So he takes matters into his own hands; his desire for justice drives him on.
17 He wears his desire for justice like body armor, and his desire to deliver is like a helmet on his head. He puts on the garments of vengeance and wears zeal like a robe.
18 He repays them for what they have done, dispensing angry judgment to his adversaries and punishing his enemies. He repays the coastlands.
19 In the west, people respect the Lord’s reputation; in the east they recognize his splendor. For he comes like a rushing stream driven on by wind sent from the Lord.
20 “A protector comes to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their rebellious deeds,” says the Lord.
21 “As for me, this is my promise to them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is upon you, and my words, which I have placed in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and descendants from this time forward,” says the Lord.
Illustration: Ten Dollar Rock Worth Two Hundred Twenty Eight Million
A gem dealer was strolling the aisles at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show when he noticed a blue-violet stone the size and shape of a potato. He looked it over, then, as calmly as possible, asked the vendor, “You want $15 for this?” The seller, realizing the rock wasn’t as pretty as others in the bin, lowered the price to $10. The stone has since been certified as a 1,905-carat natural star sapphire, about 800 carats larger than the largest stone of its kind. It was appraised at $2.28 million. It took a lover of stones to recognize the sapphire’s worth. It took the Lover of Souls to recognize the true value of ordinary-looking people like us. (On Line Leadership Journal – Redemption by Wanda Vassallo)