Day 213 – Isaiah 64-66

Talking Points

• A great picture of God’s character and display of our gospel — our God “acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him” (64:4). Where we are powerless, He is powerful. Our hope in all things is to look to Him. No one has ever been disappointed whose trust is in the Lord.

• How are we to relate to God? He tells us: As a Father (64:8). The Hebrew word for father means “one who produces, guides, watches over.” Explaining this relationship further, God says that we are the clay and He is the Potter. Better still, He is the perfect Father and the most excellent Potter! Our trust is safe in Him.
• Watch this progression: God makes it clear that we have sinned. Each of us has “become like one who is uncle, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (64:6). God makes it clear that He sees our sins and is angered by them (64:5). The question rings out: “And shall we be saved?” (64:5). We need a Savior. And, looking to only hope for a Savior, our prayer becomes, “Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down…” (64:1).
• Isaiah ends in a common pattern of Scripture: God does not leave us without a hope. The beautiful promise made here is made again in Revelation. There is coming a day with no more crying or sickness. There will be a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem. Most of all, God’s people will be fully and finally glad in Him. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Thoughts

The book of Isaiah closes out with two pictures — one of comfort, peace, and eternal worship in the actual presence of the LORD for His people, and one of judgment for those “who have transgressed against [Him]” (Isaiah 66:24). The two pictures are in stark contrast. One depicts hope, the other despair.

So, today, what are you filled with?

In the New Testament, Paul, in his defense of the actual, physical resurrection of Jesus, our hope, says this: “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (2 Corinthians 15:19). Simply, our hope is not in this world, not in this temporary life, but in eternity.

But, what of those who are in despair, who don’t share our hope? Wouldn’t these two pictures move us to tell of the God who “[creates] new heavens and a new earth” in which we will “be glad and rejoice forever” (65:17-18)? Isn’t that what the whole book of Isaiah should move us to do? Isn’t that what he did — “the evangelical prophet,” who foretold so much about the Messiah? He warned of the coming judgment for sin. He urged people to trust in the LORD. He told of our gracious, compassionate God, and exhorted people to repent.

Let us, as we close out the reading of this book, not quickly forget its lessons, difficult as they are to understand at times. Instead, let’s strive to tell the story of the Messiah, of God who reached down, clothing us with “garments of salvation” and wrapping us “with a robe of righteousness” (61:10). What else would we do?