Isaiah 57

Study Guide 59: Isaiah 55-66 LORD OF GLORY Overview The last chapters of Isaiah’ s great work are rich in promise. They begin with an invitation to experience redemption (Isa. 55-59), and conclude with a picture of the glory that will come with history’ s end (Isa. 60-66). Isaiah had already touched on many aspects of God’ s eternal purpose. At the time of fulfillment: The Sovereign Lord will come with power (Isaiah 40:10). The Holy One of Israel will bring judgment on earth (Isaiah 41:14-15). The God of Israel will make the barren land rich (Isaiah 41:17-18). The warrior Lord will triumph over all His enemies (Isaiah 42:13). The Saviour will bring all Israel back from captivity to the Promised Land (Isaiah 43:5-6). Israel’ s King will blot out their transgressions (Isaiah 43:25). The Redeemer will pour out God’ s Spirit on Israel’ s descendants (Isaiah 44:3-4). The Servant will not only restore Israel, but Gentiles as well will know God’ s salvation (Isaiah 49:6). The Lord will comfort Israel and bring her joy (Isaiah 49:13). The Sovereign Lord will cause the Gentiles to acknowledge the favored position of Israel as God’ s chosen (Isaiah 49:22). The Righteous Lord will establish justice, and a holy people will light the way for all nations (Isaiah 51:4-5). Now, further enriching and expanding our vision of the future, Isaiah went into more detail about what will happen on earth when the Sovereign Lord comes to embrace His own and make all things right.

Commentary Timeless Principles: Isaiah 54-59 Before defining what lies ahead, Isaiah unveiled some of the timeless principles that are expressed in God’ s dealings with men. Invitation (Isaiah 55:1-13). The nation to whom Isaiah preached failed to respond to the prophet’ s message. The kingdom kept firmly on its road toward divine judgment. But Isaiah also gave an open invitation to individuals! He called out to everyone who recognized his or her need: Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Isaiah 55:1The person who hears the invitation is to respond in faith, and come into a covenant relationship with God. In that relationship, the benefits of the promise (which will one day be given to all) will become the present possession of the individual now. Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David. Isaiah 55:3This invitation is open to all, including the wicked man, who is to forsake his way and his evil thoughts. To every individual who comes, God promises mercy and pardon (Isaiah 55:7). It is at this point that God declares, “ My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). God does not deal with us on our terms, but on His. Jesus picked up this same theme in His instruction to His disciples to love their enemies. [God] causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:45-48God initiates relationship with those who are His enemies, and He does so with love. As His people, we too are to take the initiative and to love aggressively. In order to have this kind of loving involvement with others, we must look to God for our example, because loving enemies is foreign to humankind. God’ s invitation to the wicked promises that when they respond to Him, life-change will follow. They will have joy, peace, and fruitfulness (Isaiah 55:12-13). LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT Write Isaiah 55:8 on the chalkboard. As your group members come in, ask them to make guesses about how God’ s thoughts are not like ours, or His ways like our ways. Then read Isaiah 55:7, which is linked to Isaiah 55:8 by the “ for.” It is God’ s willingness to have mercy on and pardon the wicked that sets Him apart. If you wish, explore the implications of Matthew 5:45-48 for us today. How can we be more like God by adopting His attitude toward people who have made themselves our enemies? The excluded are welcomed (Isaiah 56:1-12). In Isaiah 55:1-13 individuals within the chosen nation respond to God and find the blessings to which most citizens are blind. Now the prophet made it clear that more than the chosen people are invited to experience salvation: Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “ The Lord will surely exclude me from His people.” And let not any eunuch complain, “ I am only a dry tree.” Isaiah 56:3According to the Mosaic Law both foreigners and eunuchs were excluded from worship. There was the promise that some day, at the time of the end, all nations could taste God’ s salvation. That blessing was to await the work of Messiah. But God wants to let the excluded know that they are welcome now. “ Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares — He who gathers the exiles of Israel: “ I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:7-8History shows this principle in operation. Rahab in the days of Joshua, Ruth in the later day of the Judges; these were pagans who responded to God and found a place in His love. Even that wicked city, Nineveh, which repented under the prophetic preaching of Jonah, finds a place in the Bible record. The New Testament explains that those once “ excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world” have now been “ brought near through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12-13). The unexpected dimension of God’ s promise is His intention to “ create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace” (Ephesians 2:15). Not only are the excluded welcomed, they are welcomed on the same terms and to the same inheritance as the chosen! We have a tendency to deal with the excluded as if they were really different from us; so different that to be acceptable they must first become like us. God accepts each person as he is, whether foreigner or eunuch, and brings him and us together into the New Covenant that Christ is. When we evaluate others on the basis of how they are different from us, rather than seeking to affirm our potential oneness in and through Christ, we miss the wonder of our covenant-keeping and covenant-making God. Restoration is possible (Isaiah 57:1-21). Why do righteous people sometimes pass from the scene when they are most needed in society? Isaiah’ s insight into this question is: The righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. Isaiah 57:1-2In contrast, the majority of Israel could not be considered righteous. In fact, God declared Israel to be the offspring of adulterers, prostitutes, and sorceresses! (Isaiah 57:3) She had turned from God, who had entered into a marriage covenant with her, and had actively, even lustfully, sought out foreign gods (Isaiah 57:4-9). Since God did not act in judgment immediately, Israel assumed she was safe. But God warned that He would expose her “ righteousness and works” and that neither would save His wayward people (Isaiah 57:12). God says, however, that restoration is possible. “ The man who makes Me his refuge,” He explains, “ will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain” (Isaiah 57:13). God will restore and build up His people when their lifestyle and attitude are acceptable. I live . . . with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15God promises peace, healing, guidance, comfort, and an attitude of praise to those who depend on Him (Isaiah 57:18-19). While there is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 57:20-21), a right relationship with God will bring inner, and even international, peace. Reality not ritual (Isaiah 58:1-14). Ritual and ceremony had a significant place in Israel’ s worship of the Lord. But faith is not summed up in ritual. Too often a Christian’ s lifestyle can become simply following a pattern of “ religious” duties. In Isaiah’ s day the people fasted and carefully followed the prescribed rituals, even as they complained that God did not seem to hear their prayers. God’ s answer? Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Isaiah 58:3-4What kind of “ fasting” does God call us to? Isaiah went on, relaying this timeless message from God. Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter? Isaiah 58:6-7The one who finds restoration and peace in covenant relationship with God will express that commitment by sharing God’ s love with people. His worship may contain ritual elements, fastings, and festivals. These are not wrong. But at the heart of the believer’ s lifestyle must be a loving representation of God to the world. God Himself must redeem (Isaiah 59:1-21). How bad is bad, and what is God going to do about evil? Isaiah summarized the iniquities which had separated Israel from God. The only way to get the full impact of the strength and beauty of his words is to read the passage, sensing the power of Isaiah 59:1-15. Note how far Israel strayed from God’ s intention for her: The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace. Isaiah 59:8God Himself must intervene and redeem. His own arm must work salvation. When the Redeemer comes to Zion and the covenant is established, then not only will sins be forgiven but the words of God and His Spirit will become one with God’ s people. Where there is sin, oppression, injustice, or thoughtless arrogance that dismisses and discards other human beings, then God must act. For those who remain hardened there will be retribution (Isaiah 59:18), but God’ s deepest desire is to redeem. And so we are called to enter into a covenant of peace and personal relationship with God. He then will change the hardness of our hearts, and plant within us His living Word. LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT Seeking parallels between Old Testament and New Testament passages can be one of the most rewarding approaches to Bible study. List on the chalkboard these chapters and titles. Let your group members choose one to study with a friend. As they read, each pair is to come up with at least five verses or passages from the New Testament (or Old) which suggest the same truths. When each pair has had about 10 minutes, reassemble. Work through each chapter, having group members read relevant verses and telling the New Testament parallel.

Portrait of History’ s End: Isaiah 60-66 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3Isaiah’ s prophecy lifted high the torch, which is the Lord Himself! Now, in the last chapters of Isaiah, we catch a glimpse of the day toward which history is moving. When we reach that goal, we will see and share His glory, as all life’ s mysteries find final resolution in joy. The sleepers awake (Isaiah 60:1-22). The feeling we get reading Isaiah 60:1-22 is that God’ s people have been dozing and dreaming as they drifted along the stream of time. Then, cutting through their dreams comes a vibrant call: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1Israel’ s newly opened eyes see a stunning sight. From all around the sons and daughters that were lost are gathering. The riches of the nations are brought to Israel. They see God’ s glorious temple not on time’ s horizon, but here! You will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy. Isaiah 60:5The once-forsaken and hated shake off depression as they become the pride of mankind. Most wonderful of all, in those days of splendor God promises: The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Isaiah 60:19-20Ruins restored (Isa. 61-62). The good news of time’ s end focuses on restoration. The man of God is anointed: To bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1All who mourn are comforted with the word that the ancient ruins will be restored and devastated lands made fruitful. Isaiah made it clear that this picture of restoration is not primarily physical but spiritual: Its first concern is to clothe men “ with garments of salvation, and arrayed . . . in a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). When the Lord makes “ righteousness and praise spring up before all nations” (Isaiah 61:11), then the days of endless blessing will come. When the Saviour steps into full view: They will be called the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called sought after, the city no longer deserted. Isaiah 62:12The land and the people will be filled with praise. Yearnings satisfied (Isa. 63-64). These chapters begin with God’ s great saving acts at the end of time. His purifying judgments precede the days of blessing (Isaiah 63:1-6). When God has completed His final act of judgment, His restored people will praise Him (Isaiah 63:7-10). I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us. Isaiah 63:7Then comes a recapitulation of their feelings before they had experienced God’ s salvation (63:11-64:12). They remember the times of sin, of repentance, of desire for God once again to “ rend the heavens and come down” (Isaiah 64:1). In the prophet’ s eyes, God had already acted. All those longings had now been filled. The emptiness was only a dim memory. For the glory of the Lord had come down, and His splendor shone all around. God’ s response reviewed (Isaiah 65:1-25). Now God responded to the cry of His people. Throughout history God had revealed Himself, though His people had stubbornly rejected the message. To those who rejected, judgment came: But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget My holy mountain, who spread a table for fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. Isaiah 65:11-12To those who respond to God’ s message, He will give bountifully: Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. Isaiah 65:17-18The glory of God, and His presence, makes all things new. Judgment and hope (Isaiah 66:1-24). The Book of Isaiah ends with a repetition of the twin themes that mark not only his messages but the writings of all the Old Testament prophets. God sets before men a clear vision of two pathways. One leads to judgment, the other to hope. Each man chooses the path he will follow. Of those who turn from Him the Lord says: They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring upon them what they dread. Isaiah 66:3-4Yet the birthpangs of judgment can bring forth joy. The Lord says a day will come when all people who have responded to Him will live in fellowship with each other and with their God: I will extend peace to her like a river. . . . As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:12-13Those two ways, to judgment and to hope, remain open today. And what lies at the end of each is known. “ As the new heavens and the new earth that I will make will endure before Me,” declares the Lord, “ so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before Me,” says the Lord. “ And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against Me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” Isaiah 66:22-24The place to which each pathway leads is sure. The choice remains ours.

Teaching Guide Prepare After reading the chapters, return and meditate on Isaiah 65:17-25.

Explore

1. As students come in ask them to guess how God’ s thoughts and ways are different from ours (Isaiah 55:8). Use the approach outlined in “ link-to-life” above.
2. Graphically illustrate the impact of Jesus’ return on society. Have group members read Isaiah 59:1-21. Then give each one a full sheet of the day’ s newspaper. Ask each to carefully cut from the paper any items that would not be found in a newspaper after Jesus’ kingdom has been instituted. Then tape the newspaper pages around the room. The gaps will graphically illustrate how different this world will be when Jesus reigns! Then brainstorm. Can you list headlines for stories that might replace the ones you have cut out?

Expand

1. Find parallels between principles expressed in Isaiah 55-59 and familiar New Testament truths. See the “ link-to-life” suggestion above.
2. Together work through Isaiah 64-65. Discuss each section and give each a title that will serve both to summarize and outline the passage.

Apply To conclude this week’ s study, organize the following possible memory verses into a responsive reading. Isaiah 60:19-20Isa_65:17-18Isa_66:12-13Isa_66:22-23