Isaiah 65
-God permits Himself to be sought
and found by those who did not ask for Him or really seek Him, to a nation that
did not previously call on His Name. He has said to them, “Here am I, here am I
(Isaiah 65:1).” God then speaks of His long suffering in the face of Hebrew
rebellion, with those who walked in a crooked way to His commands and followed
their own thoughts. Those also who continually provoked the LORD to His face
and worshipped idols unceasingly. They sat among the graves in pagan ritual and
spent the night in immoral secret places. They ate swine’s flesh and the broth
of unclean meat in their pots. They denied the Sovereign King and did not want
Him to come near them claiming to be holier than others. These are what God
calls smoke in the nostrils of the Almighty, “a fire that burns all the day
(Isaiah 65:2-5).” God declares He will repay for these unholy atrocities. He
promises not to keep silent. Both the sons and their fathers for generations
will pay the price of rebellion against their Creator. Their idolatry and scorn
will weigh heavy upon them (Isaiah 65:6-7). *Application* Those who think they
are getting away with living for themselves are in for a rude awakening. God
sees all and has the last word on every matter, physical and spiritual.
-However, the LORD says He will
act on behalf of His servants in order not to destroy the remnant of promise.
He will bring forth righteous offspring from Jacob and an heir of His mountains
from Judah. His chosen ones will inhabit this good land and dwell there. This
is the people who seek Him. On the other hand, those who forsake the LORD,
forget His holy mountain, set a table for Fortune (false prophecy), and fill
cups with mixed wine for Destiny (a god of fate who the Jews worshipped in
Babylonia) will be destined for the sword and bow down to the slaughter. God
called them, but they did not answer; He spoke, but they did not hear. They did
evil in His sight and chose that in which God did NOT delight (Isaiah 65:8-12).
-The contrast is given as to the
haves of God and the have nots who rejected God. His servants will be
characterized as well feed, having drink, rejoicing, and shouting joyfully. The
wicked will be hungry, thirsty, shamed, crying out with a heavy heart, wailing,
and having a broken spirit. The wicked’s name will be left for a curse by His
chosen ones. The LORD Himself will slay the wayward who go their own way. His
servants will be called with another name than this. The God of truth blesses
His people of faith. Their former troubles will be forgotten and their sins
will be hidden from His sight (Isaiah 65:13-16).
-Words on the new heavens and new
earth dominate the remainder of the chapter as this book begins to wrap up. The
former curses and sins of this current world will be remembered no more or even
come to mind. His new creation will cause gladness and rejoicing forever. This
New Jerusalem will be incredible! The voice of weeping and sound of crying will
be heard no more. The next verses appear to go back into the millennial reign
of Christ to a degree as longevity, but natural causes still exist. The land
will be repopulated in this era and agricultural prosperity is abundant. Their
labor will not be in vain, “for they are the offspring of those blessed by the
LORD.” Their descendants also will be with them in the reign and joy. In this
time God will answer before they even call. He will hear will they are still
speaking. “The wolf and lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw
like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm
in all My holy mountain,“ declares the LORD (Isaiah 65:17-25).
Verse to Memorize: Isaiah 65:17
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