The Servant Our LORD: Isaiah 61, 62(6)

Pray Psalm 27.4.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.

Read Isaiah 62.6-12.

Reflect.
1. How many different ways does God reinforce the certainty of His coming salvation in these verses? 

2. How does God refer to His people in this passage?

Meditate.
For 23 chapters (40-62) of meditations, visions, homilies, and reassurances, Isaiah has been working to supply the people of Judah and Jerusalem with hope, courage, and strength. He knows what they are about to face – deportation and captivity in Babylon, and the destruction of their city and temple. But he also knows that God is faithful, and the faithful God uses the prophet to recall His ancient covenant, and assure the people that a new covenant is coming, a better covenant, with an unprecedented salvation, by the work of a Servant Whose suffering will open the door to a new relationship with the living God.

Isaiah has telescoped this vision in ways to unveil the certainty of it bit by bit. Some who heard him would be alive to hear Cyrus, God’s servant, decree the return of Israel to their land. Some would see the ancient city and its temple rebuilt, albeit not to the extent of its previous glory – thus leaving them to look ahead for more of what Isaiah has promised.

The LORD has sworn. Surely. Indeed. Surely. Isaiah is emphatic concerning the faithfulness of God. By His power He has raised up Babylon, and by His power He will throw them down. And by His power, He will fulfill all His promises to His people.

Their duty is to “Go through, go through the gates!” in faith, looking for the coming day of the Lord’s promised salvation, and not letting themselves or their hopes be overwhelmed or dashed by the temporary discipline they are about to endure.

They must pray earnestly (vv. 6, 7); cling to every Word of God, and praise Him for His faithfulness (vv. 8, 9); and take every next step in faith, determined to make a way for future generations and to raise the banner of God’s faithfulness wherever they are (v. 10). And they must never forget the Lord’s purpose for them: redeemed to be a holy people, sought out and loved by God.

We who are God’s people today are playing out our stage in the unfolding process of God’s salvation. What God expected of His people in Isaiah’s day, He expects of us as well. Let us take care to go through, prepare, build, and raise the banner of the Lord.

Prepare.
1. God calls His people to certain duties as they live toward His promises. How do you fulfill these duties each day?

2. Notice how Isaiah freely intermingles his use of LORD and Redeemer in talking about the coming salvation of God. What does this suggest about the Servant Who accomplishes this salvation?

3. How does the Lord proclaim “to the end of the world” the salvation He has prepared for His people? Where does your Personal Mission Field fit into this scenario?

So he says, “Don’t be silent and give no silence, that is, to the Lord who promises these things, until he has prepared and makes Jerusalem to sing on the earth.” He provides for the intercession made by the powers of all the people, that it should not be quiet or ever fall silent, but with shouts and unrestrained cries rouse him. The people’s intercession should never give God peace. Eusebius of Caesarea (260-340 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 2.52

Lead me today, Lord, that I may go through and…

Pray Psalm 27.
Only by keeping focused on the Lord, and dwelling in His presence, can we expect to know the fullness of His precious and very great promises. Let this psalm lift you up to the Lord and prepare you for following Him this day.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 27 (Joanna: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise)
Lord, You are our Light and our Savior most dear!
You guard us with might; therefore, whom shall we fear?
Though evil surround us, our enemies fall;
no harm shall confound us when on You we call.

One thing we request but to dwell with You, Lord,
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
no foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise!

Hear, Lord, when we cry and be gracious, we pray!
Lord, do not deny us Your favor this day!
Our help, our salvation, though others may fall,
preserve our good station when on You we call.

Lord, teach us; Lord, lead us because of our foes!
Hear, Lord, when we plead for release from their woes.
Had we not believed all Your goodness to see,
our heart sorely grieved and in turmoil would be.

Wait, wait on the Lord; persevere in His grace.
Hold fast to His Word; seek His radiant face.
Be strong, set your heart to abide in His Word;
His grace He imparts; therefore, wait on the Lord.

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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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).