August 3, 2008
Isaiah 58
As the book nears its close the prophet calls on his listeners to grasp the reality of sin. This provides the backdrop for a revelation of God’s purposes in judgment and salvation. He begins by describing a superficial religiousness (58:1-3a) which disguises the hypocrisy of a people whose personal lives (vv. 3b-5) and society (vv. 6-7) are corrupt. Only if Israel experiences a complete spiritual reformation and does away with “the yoke of oppression” will God answer His people’s prayers and sustain them (vv. 8-12). Only if God’s people honor Him will they discover the joy and blessing to be found in the Lord (vv. 13-14).
“They seem” (58:2). These folks went to church and consulted their pastors (prophets). They appeared religious. But is Sunday piety a good measure? Not in Israel.Many would be shocked to learn that one area of southwest Michigan, with the highest percentage of membership in one conservative Protestant denomination, has one of the highest rates of spouse abuse in the U.S.! Don’t mistake “religious” for true spirituality.
Fasting (58:3-7). O.T. fasts usually lasted from sunrise to sunset. Fasts were religious in character and undertaken to: (1) express grief (see 1 Sam. 31:13), (2) show one’s seriousness when appealing to God (see Ezra 8:23), (3) indicate repentance (see Jonah 3:5-10), and (4) honor the seriousness of the Day of Atonement (see Lev. 16:29-31). Later generations added other commemorative days to the religious calendar and remembered them with fasting (see Zech. 8:19).
In Christ’s time, the zealous Pharisee fasted each Monday and Thursday (Luke 18:12). Jesus condemned the practice of dirtying the face to show others one was fasting, but did not condemn fasting. He fasted 40 days just before beginning His public ministry (Luke 4:1-3). Though there are N.T. examples of fasting, the practice is not commanded (see Luke 2:37; Acts 13:2; 14:23).
Isaiah’s point is that fasting as an expression of piety is of far less concern to God than a righteous lifestyle. Spirituality is shown by the loving quality of our personal relationships (Isa. 58:4) and by our commitment to social justice and to helping the poor and oppressed (Isa. 58:6-7), not by fasting.
Isaiah 59
Sin alienates, and Israel’s “iniquities have separated you from your God” (59:1-2). Isaiah follows this announcement with a dread catalog of Israel’s sins (vv. 3-15) and the grim announcement that God has “put on righteousness as His breastplate.” As a warrior He advances to repay according to what men’s actions are due (vv. 16-19). Yet even now there is hope for those who “repent of their sins.” God will establish His covenant with them, and with their children (vv. 20-21).
Sin’s impact (59:2). The Scriptures tell us what sin is. Isaiah emphasizes the fact that sin separates us from God. While God is ready to forgive, even the believer who habitually practices sin is cut off from fellowship with the Lord (1 John 1:5-10). The N.T. emphasizes the devastating effect of sin on human nature. Sin curses us with spiritual death, a condition that will carry over into eternity unless we receive new life through faith in Christ (Rom. 5:12-21). Sin corrupts human nature; it turns our thoughts to evil acts, arouses wrong desires, and so weakens our wills that we choose the wrong even when we know what is good (see Eph. 2:1-3). This reality underlies the grim picture of life in a society of sinners portrayed in Isa. 59:3-15. Sin brings man under the divine wrath (Isa. 59:18). How terrible sin is. But how wonderful that we have a Redeemer.
Isaiah 60
The tone now shifts again as Isaiah describes the future glory of Jerusalem. Zion, another name for the Holy City and chosen people, is called to awake (60:1-3). Still drowsy, she is urged to look and see the glory of fulfilled hope (vv. 4-9). Nations that persecuted Israel will honor her (vv. 10-12), and nature herself will overflow (vv. 13-14) as God’s presence transforms not only the city but also her people (vv. 15-22).
The future glorious kingdom. One of the most persistent themes of O.T. prophecy holds that at history’s end God will set up a kingdom on earth. Its capital will be Jerusalem, and from the Holy City, the Messiah, a descendant of David, will rule over all the peoples of our planet. This theme is seen here, especially in Isa. 60:1-61:6, and in many other prophetic passages. In the O.T.’s bright vision of the future the kingdom comes following God’s crushing defeat of evil and the great spiritual conversion which sweeps Israel and extends to the Gentiles. The following passages express the O.T. prophets’ vision of this coming glorious kingdom: Isa. 2:1-4; 4:2-6; 9:6-7; 11:1-16; 24:1-13; 32:1-5; 33:17-24; 35:1-10; 52:7-10; 61:1-6; 66:15-23; Jer. 31:1-27; 33:14-24; Dan. 2:31-45; 7:1-28; 9:20-27; Mal. 3:1-5; 4:1-6; Ezek. 20:32-44; 34:20-31; Hosea 3:4-5; Joel 2:28-3:2; 3:9-21; Amos 9:9-15; Obad. 15-21; Micah 4:1-5; Zech. 2:1-13; 14:1-21.
“Look” (60:4). The text says, “lift up your eyes and look.” If we simply look around us and see the present distress we may well be discouraged. But if we look up, or if we look ahead, the situation is very different. Everything around us is transformed by the certainty that God is near.
God’s presence (60:19-20). The picture here is very like that provided in Rev. 21-22.
Reflection
We all need to be in a place where God can speak to us about sin. Are you still feeling the conviction of the Lord during sermons, or in your quiet time? If not go before the Lord and ask to hear what the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do…or not do.
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