Praise For The Preservation of Israel
June 20, 2022
Commentary
It seems that the nations around Israel have many myths about sea monsters. “Leviathan” was a seven-headed monster and enemy of God’s created order (vv. 1-2). To slay “leviathan” was a great achievement and the Lord promised to do it (Ps 74:14). When the battle is over at the end of the tribulation and the Lord has conquered evil, Israel can enter her glorious kingdom without fear. In the song of the vineyard, Israel is probably the predominant one. The vine also refers to Christ and His Church (John 15), and the godless Gentile society, “the vine of the earth” (Rev. 14:18). The vineyard will succeed because “I the Lord do keep it” (v. 3). God promises to water and protect this vineyard from the “briars and thorns” (which some suggest) refers to the enemies of Israel (vv. 4-6).
In order for Israel to bear fruit, God had to discipline the disobedient nation (vv. 7-13). God will use suffering to purge His people and prepare them for their kingdom (v. 9). God’s purpose in judging the earth is not vengeance but He wants to correct us and bring us back to Him. He did not punish Israel just to make them suffer, but He wanted to cure them of their idolatry.
The defended city (v. 10) is in reference to the fact that during the millennial kingdom these cities, which were considered impregnable shall need no walls. This will be a time when all the world shall worship the Lord and such cities shall be emptied. The people will have no need of them.
Application
God will never punish me for my sin just to get even or to make me suffer. He only does it because He loves me and wants to make me better equipped to serve Him.
Isaiah 27:1– 13 (NET)
1 At that time the Lord will punish with his destructive, great, and powerful sword Leviathan the fast-moving serpent, Leviathan the squirming serpent; he will kill the sea monster.
2 When that time comes, sing about a delightful vineyard!
3 “I, the Lord, protect it; I water it regularly. I guard it night and day, so no one can harm it.
4 I am not angry. I wish I could confront some thorns and briers! Then I would march against them for battle; I would set them all on fire,
5 unless they became my subjects and made peace with me; let them make peace with me.”
6 The time is coming when Jacob will take root; Israel will blossom and grow branches. The produce will fill the surface of the world.
7 Has the Lord struck down Israel as he did their oppressors? Has Israel been killed like their enemies?
8 When you summon her for divorce, you prosecute her; he drives her away with his strong wind in the day of the east wind.
9 So in this way Jacob’s sin will be forgiven, and this is how they will show they are finished sinning: They will make all the stones of the altars like crushed limestone, and the Asherah poles and the incense altars will no longer stand.
10 For the fortified city is left alone; it is a deserted settlement and abandoned like the wilderness. Calves graze there; they lie down there and eat its branches bare.
11 When its branches get brittle, they break; women come and use them for kindling. For these people lack understanding, therefore the one who made them has no compassion on them; the one who formed them has no mercy on them.
12 At that time the Lord will shake the tree, from the Euphrates River to the Stream of Egypt. Then you will be gathered up one by one, O Israelites. 13 At that time a large trumpet will be blown, and the ones lost in the land of Assyria will come, as well as the refugees in the land of Egypt. They will worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.