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The Scriptorium

No Peace for the Wicked

The Lord speaks peace to His people.

Promise and Rebuke: Isaiah 56, 57 (6)

Pray Psalm 97.1.
The LORD reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!

Read Isaiah 57.19-21.

Reflect.
1. Who are the “far off” and the “near” of these verses (cf. Eph. 2.14-18)? 

2. Who can expect to know peace, and who cannot? Why?

Meditate.
God promises His people, as they sink into the coming reality of captivity in Babylon, that peace is coming for them.

Well, for all who heed His Word, repent of their idolatrous ways, seek Him diligently, and prepare for His coming salvation. For those who choose to continue in the ways that have resulted in Israel’s captivity, no peace will be found.

It’s curious how God describes His peace: as “the fruit of the lips” (v. 19). The fruit of the lips is peace, says the Lord, and He alone can “create” it. Godspeaks His peace to us, just as He spoke the world into being. Here God uses the same word that appears throughout the Old Testament for His work of creation in Genesis, only in a participial form: בּוֹרֵ֖אboreah – a Creator. This form of the verb describes something that is characteristic of God: He is always granting peace to those who heed His Word. It takes real spiritual power to know peace in the midst of temporal difficulties, and God can wield that power for all who trust in Him (cf. Phil. 4.6, 7). Jesus identified Himself with God when He told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14.27).

And that peace is offered far and wide, to the Jews (those who are “near”) and to all the families of the Gentiles (those who are “far off,” cf. Eph. 2.14-18):

Of the increase of His government and peace
There will beno end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9.7

The peace that God creates for those who heed His Word is the true healing (v. 19) they require, the healing of their soul. For when we can say, I have peace with God, nothing that might happen to us can bring any ultimate or lasting harm (Rom. 5.1-5).

But the wicked, those who refuse to repent and heed God’s Word, will never know peace (v. 20). They are like a troubled sea, always frothing and fretting, casting up wickedness and slime. The message should be clear for the people of Judah and Jerusalem: As you head off into captivity, do not let bitterness, despair, or continued transgression rob you of God’s peace. Repent, and look to Him Who creates peace for all who trust Him, and you will know the peace of His coming salvation, even as you endure the trial of captivity in Babylon.

That same message speaks to us each day as well.

Prepare.
1. Why is God’s peace the most important kind of healing?

2. Since God “speaks” peace to us, and does so continually, how would you counsel a troubled believer to know that peace (cf. Jn. 14.27, Phil. 4.6, 7)?

3. If God’s peace eludes us, what might this suggest about the state of our soul? What can we do to gain access to God’s peace?

For that joy that is after the fashion of the world is not true joy. Hear the prophet Isaiah: “There is no joy, says my God, to the wicked.” What the wicked call joy is not joy, such as he [David] knew, who made no account of their joy; let us believe him, brothers. Augustine (354-430 AD), Explanations of the Psalms 97.16

Thank You for Your peace, Lord! Help me to know and grow in Your peace today as I…

Pray Psalm 97.

Peace and rejoicing are kindred affections. Let this psalm lead you into both.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 97 (Rejoice, the Lord is King)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! O earth, lift up your voice; 
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Refrain v. 9
Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

His just and righteous throne ‘mid clouds and darkness stands; 
His fiery wrath consumes His foes in every land.
Refrain

Earth trembles at the sight of Jesus’ holy face; 
The mountains melt before His might and praise His grace.
Refrain

The heav’ns above declare His glorious righteousness.
And tribes and peoples everywhere; His Name confess.
Refrain

While Zion gladly sings, let all be brought to shame
who to vain idols worship bring and scorn His Name.
Refrain

All you who love the Lord, despise sin’s wicked ways!
Praise Him Who guides us by His Word through all our days.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

Where do the prophets fit with the rest of Scripture? How can I be a better student of God’s Word? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you gain a better approach to and understanding of the Scriptures. Watch this brief preview video, then register at The Ailbe Seminary and enroll in this free online course.

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.


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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).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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