It is Best to Obey The Lord
November 21, 2019
Commentary
In spite of their failures, God reminds Israel that He alone is the Lord and has called them and chosen them to be His people (v. 12). Further, God states His omniscient power over the creation in such a way that when He calls nature to obedience, both heaven and earth stand up together (v. 13) and obey Him instantly. The fact is the Lord loved Israel so much that He would bring judgment on Babylon and the Chaldeans. God chose Cyrus, a heathen king, to free his people from their captivity in Babylon (vv. 14-15). The Lord has never kept a secret about this fact He has said (v. 16)
Isaiah emphasizes the total blessing of prosperity from God upon those who have surrendered to His lordship and authority. However, this blessing does not come by accident, but by total obedience to His commandments (vv 17-18). Though His people may come under temporary judgment they still have access to the God of peace. By contrast, there is no peace unto the wicked. To those who turn their back on God there is only worry and sorrow. True peace comes only from God.
The Lord had constantly been teaching and guiding Israel through the law. But they had not paid attention to his commands. Had they obeyed the Lord in the first place, they would have experienced peace and not war (vv. 18-19) and none of their children would have been killed. God urged His people to leave Babylon quickly (v. 20). After the Egyptian exodus God provided water from the rock in the deserts (v. 21). It implies He will do the same for them in this exodus from Babylon. In contrast with joy (v. 20) for those who obey the Lord there is no peace for the wicked (v. 22).
Application
In Isaiah’s day the people had grown accustomed to the security of their bondage. It is easy for me to also become complacent with my comfort and affluence. I don’t want God to have to put me into the furnace to remind me that I am here to be a servant and not a spectator.
Isaiah 48:12– 22 (NET)
12 Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I summoned. I am the one; I am present at the very beginning and at the very end.
13 Yes, my hand founded the earth; my right hand spread out the sky. I summon them; they stand together.
14 All of you, gather together and listen! Who among them announced these things? The Lordās ally will carry out his desire against Babylon; he will exert his power against the Babylonians.
15 I, I have spokenā yes, I have summoned him; I lead him and he will succeed.
16 Approach meālisten to this! From the very first I have not spoken in secret; when it happens, I am there.ā So now, the Sovereign Lord has sent me, accompanied by his Spirit.
17 This is what the Lord, your Protector, says, the Holy One of Israel: āI am the Lord your God, who teaches you how to succeed, who leads you in the way you should go.
18 If only you had obeyed my commandments, prosperity would have flowed to you like a river, deliverance would have come to you like the waves of the sea.
19 Your descendants would have been as numerous as sand, and your children like its granules. Their name would not have been cut off and eliminated from my presence.
20 Leave Babylon! Flee from the Babylonians! Announce it with a shout of joy! Make this knownā proclaim it throughout the earth! Say, āThe Lord protects his servant Jacob.
21 They do not thirst as he leads them through dry regions; he makes water flow out of a rock for them; he splits open a rock and water flows out.ā
22 There will be no prosperity for the wicked,ā says the Lord.