God’s Protection of Israel
July 25, 2021
Commentary
The Lord confronts the nations and the islands in judgment (v. 1). The reference to nations and islands suggest all the world’s people. God told the nations that because He controls history, they really have no control over the future (vv 2-4). The Lord affirms that He is the one who brings events to pass (v. 4). He notes that the alliances between the nations will not help them as God’s will is carried out (vv 5-7). In fear, the nations everywhere will be driven to help and encourage each other (v. 6). However, rather than turn to the true God, these idolatrous people from the islands will get more and more involved in idol worship (v. 7).
God chose Israel through Abraham because He wants to and not because the people deserved it (vv. 8-10). Although God chose the Israelites to represent Him to the world they failed to do this; so He punished them and sent them into captivity in Babylon. In contrast with God’s choosing and helping Israel, He will not protect nations who oppose her. They will perish (vv. 11-12). The Lord says to his people, “Fear not (vv. 10, 13, 14)!” The Jewish remnant faced the challenge of a long journey home and the difficult task of rebuilding. This could bring many causes of fear, but there was one big reason not to be afraid. The Lord was with them and would give them great success. With the Lord’s help Israel will defeat the nations as if she were threshing and winnowing grain (vv. 15-16).
Even though Israel was in exile because of sin and unbelief, she still was not rejected by God.
Application
When I get concerned about the future, I just need to talk to God, who knows the generations of the future and He knows the generations of the past.
Isaiah 41:1– 16 (NET)
1 âListen to me in silence, you coastlands! Let the nations find renewed strength! Let them approach and then speak; let us come together for debate.
2 Who stirs up this one from the east? Who officially commissions him for service? He hands nations over to him, and enables him to subdue kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, like windblown straw with his bow.
3 He pursues them and passes by unharmed; he advances with great speed.
4 Who acts and carries out decrees? Who summons the successive generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, am present at the very beginning, and at the very endâI am the one.
5 The coastlands see and are afraid; the whole earth trembles; they approach and come.
6 They help one another; one says to the other, âBe strong!â
7 The craftsman encourages the metalsmith, the one who wields the hammer encourages the one who pounds on the anvil. He approves the quality of the welding, and nails it down so it wonât fall over.
8 âYou, my servant Israel, Jacob, whom I have chosen, offspring of Abraham my friend,
9 you whom I am bringing back from the earthâs extremities, and have summoned from the remote regionsâ I told you, âYou are my servant.â I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10 Donât be afraid, for I am with you! Donât be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen youâ yes, I help youâ yes, I uphold you with my victorious right hand!
11 Look, all who were angry at you will be ashamed and humiliated; your adversaries will be reduced to nothing and perish.
12 When you will look for your opponents, you will not find them; your enemies will be reduced to absolutely nothing.
13 For I am the Lord your God, the one who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, âDonât be afraid, I am helping you.â
14 Donât be afraid, despised insignificant Jacob, men of Israel. I am helping you,â says the Lord, your Protector, the Holy One of Israel.
15 âLook, I am making you like a sharp threshing sledge, new and double-edged. You will thresh the mountains and crush them; you will make the hills like straw.
16 You will winnow them and the wind will blow them away; the wind will scatter them. You will rejoice in the Lord; you will boast in the Holy One of Israel.
Illustration: Can’t Expect God’s Blessing When We Shun Him
Just after 9/11, Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne, was interviewed by the Early Show on CBS. The interviewer asked, ââŹĹHow could God let something like this happen?” She answered, ââŹĹI believe God is deeply saddened by this just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, our government, and our lives, and being the gentleman that He is I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and protection if we demand that He leave us alone?” (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).