God’s Eternal Covenant: Isaiah 59 (5)

Pray Psalm 69.13.
But as for me, my prayer is to You,
O LORD, in the acceptable time;
O God, in the multitude of Your mercy,
Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

Read Isaiah 59.15-20.

Reflect.
1. How is it evident that the people of Israel could not save themselves?

2. What does God promise to do for them?

Meditate.
It is not the good pleasure of God that His people should languish in sin, without justice, righteousness, or peace (v. 15). But what can be done? Israel cannot save herself, and no one could intercede for the people (v. 16). If Israel was to be saved from sin, God would have to do it Himself (v. 16). Let’s look at the various aspects of the salvation God promises here.

First, by “His own arm” God promised to satisfy His people’s need for righteousness (vv. 16, 17). The Law of God is righteous, but God’s people demonstrated throughout the period of the Old Testament that they could not keep the Law unto salvation. The righteousness the Law requires will be satisfied by God Himself in the day when He brings His salvation to His people (v. 17).

Second, God must enact vengeance against the wicked deeds of His people, to repay Himself, as it were, for the debt of sin they had incurred (vv. 17, 18). God Himself would “put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,” taking His people’s debt upon Himself, and repaying Himself by His own arm.

Third, the enemies that have constantly plagued, deceived, misled, and devoured His people must be destroyed (v 18). The salvation God promises here includes “Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies”, so that they will no longer have power to harass and destroy His people.

Finally, God will extend this great salvation even to the “coastlands” and all the peoples from west to east. The Spirit of the LORD will stand in the gap as Intercessor for all the people of God, and the Redeemer will come to the people of God, so that all “who turn from transgression” may know the blessings of His saving work (vv. 19, 20).

The promised Redeemer is the Servant Who will come to suffer and die for the sins of God’s people. Through Him, the Spirit of God will bring salvation to the world. 

Isaiah’s sermon is almost finished. One more glorious promise remains to be declared.

Reflect.
1. How does this promised salvation of God apply to you?

2. Why can only God accomplish the salvation we need? 

3. What does it mean to “turn from transgression”? What does God promise those who do turn?

[Isaiah] says that God shares salvation, which is exchanged for repentance and understanding with those deserving, who put on righteousness just as if it were their garment. Theodore of Heraclea (d.ca. 355), Fragments on Isaiah

Thank You for salvation, Father! Help me to grow in Your great salvation today as I…

Pray Psalm 69.
As you pray, let this psalm bring to mind the work Christ has done, and the suffering He endured, so that we might be saved. Give Him thanks and praise. 

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 69 (selected) (Greensleeves: What Child Is This?)
“Save Me, O God, deep waters rise and threaten to undo Me! 
No foothold in the mire I find; the floods must soon subdue Me. 
Hear, Lord, My weary cry; My throat is parched, unclear My eye. 
Foes long for Me to die and others’ debts are upon Me.” 

O God, our folly all You know, our wrongs from You are not hidden; 
Let those who in Your mercy go not by our shame be smitten. 
“Let none dishonored be because, O Lord, because of Me! 
You make Me dishonor see; on Me reproach is written.” 

O Lord, we make our prayer to You; receive our words, O Savior! 
Let lovingkindness see us through, and answer us with favor! 
Lord, lift us above the mire; deliv’rance is our one desire! 
Let not the floods conspire to swallow us forever! 

Let heav’n and earth now praise You, Lord, the seas and all their creatures, 
For You will save us by Your Word and build Your City’s features. 
There we will with Jesus dwell and know His blessings full and well. 
His glorious Name we’ll tell to every man and creature!

T. M. Moore

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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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