The Day of Salvation: Isaiah 25-35 (1)

Pray Psalm 47.8, 9.
God reigns over the nations;
God sits on His holy throne.
The princes of the people have gathered together,
The people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted.

Read Isaiah 25, 26.

Reflect.
1. What “mountain” is referred to in Isiah 25.6ff (cf. Is. 2.1-4)? What happens there?

2. As you read through these two chapters, make note of what they do who have come to know the salvation of the Lord (cf. 25.9; 26.1-6; 26.7-9)?

Meditate.
With the return to thinking about “that day” that comes in chapter 24, the prophet’s mood changes significantly. From threats of judgment and condemnations of sin, Isaiah turns to celebrate the promised salvation of the Lord, to which he pointed in chapter 24.

He praises God for His faithfulness and care for His remnant (25.1-5) – all those who waited on and trusted in Him (v. 9). Isaiah rejoices in the expanding of that remnant to include “all people” (vv. 6, 7) who confess God and have believed in His salvation. A great day is coming when even death will be defeated, and tears will be no more (v. 8). The mountain of the Lord’s house (Is. 2.1-4, cf. Is. 25.10ff) will overcome all its enemies and become a strong fortress among the nations.

Now (ch. 26) Isaiah prepares a song for “that day” (Is. 26.1) when the Lord begins to save His people. It is a song of mission (vv. 1-3), peace (v. 3), and victory (vv. 5, 6; 25.10-12), looking forward to the day when righteousness will prevail on the earth (vv. 7ff). The upright are those who desire the Lord, seek Him early, and obey His righteous commandments (v. 9).

God grants His grace to all people, though the wicked reject it (vv. 10, 11). But to those who trust in Him, God will grant them His peace and show them His grace as they rejoice in and obey Him (vv. 12-15). The people of God have known much trouble, but this was only the pangs of birth bringing to life the renewed blessings of the Lord (vv. 16-19). Those who were dead in their trespasses and sins have now become alive in the grace of God (v. 19; cf. Eph. 2.1-10), and they go forth like the morning dew to bring the refreshment of God’s salvation to the world (cf. Ps. 110.3).

Judgment is coming to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. But a day of salvation lies beyond that time of suffering and trial, and the people must look toward that day and be faithful to God, even as they prepare for the judgment which is to come (vv. 20, 21).

Prepare.
1. Our world is under the wrath of God at this moment (Rom. 1.18-32), and it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God (1 Pet. 4.17). We may have to endure a season of suffering and trial, but, following Isaiah’s prophecy, what can we look forward to beyond that?

2. Why do you suppose the prophet emphasized the importance of singing about the Lord’s salvation? When should we sing about His salvation? Only when we’re in a worship service? 

3. Isaiah says we must trust in the Lord. What does that mean? How could you tell whether someone was trusting the Lord? How is trusting the Lord related to desiring Him (26.9)?

Having said that the Lord will reign in Zion and Jerusalem, Isaiah leads us to the mystical meaning of the passage. Thus Zion is interpreted as a high place that is good for surveillance, and Jerusalem is the vision of the world. In fact, the church of Christ combines both: it is high and visible from everywhere, and is, so to speak, located on the mountain. Cyril of Alexandria 375-444 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 25.6-7

Lord, I have plenty of reasons to sing Your praise throughout the day, especially as I think of…

Pray Psalm 47.
Jesus is exalted in glory and reigning at the Father’s right hand. Rejoice in the promises outlined in this psalm, and pray that today you will be able to share the salvation of the Lord with someone in your Personal Mission Field.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 47 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
O clap your hands, you peoples all; with joy to God your songs intone!
Shout out to Him, and on Him call, He is the mighty, sovereign One!

High is the Lord, O, fear His Name! He rules, a King o’er all the earth.
Nations and peoples He has tamed, the heritage of His holy worth.

God has ascended with a shout, the Lord with sound of trumpet bold!
Sing praise to Him, let praise ring out! Let praise through all the world be told!

God is the King of all the earth: Sing praise to Him with glorious psalms!
He rules the nations by His worth, and on His throne receives their alms.

Princes of peoples gather all to Abraham and to our God.
Exalt the Lord, and on Him call – the earth is His, so praise our God!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).