Today's passage continues the redemptive themes of the second half of Isaiah. The fulfillment of these verses will come, in part, at the restoration of Israel after the nation's sin-spawned exile. The full realization of these promises will apparently come through the Second Coming of our Risen King, Jesus Christ.
God explains that His redemptive plan will restore Israel like a rejected wife:
"'For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,'
says the LORD your Redeemer."
The Lord will not remove the blessings of redemption again, much as He promised not to flood the earth during the time of Noah:
"'Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,'
says the LORD, who has compassion on you."
That restoration will be glorious and will offer full rest and provision. The nation may have full security in God's protection from enemies, and there will be no more need or want. Yet, this sure redemption will come for those who have sought after the Lord:
"Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon."
In this passage, we also read about God's sovereignty and the efficacy of God's revelation through His Word. While the world's daily affairs often appear random, God's thoughts and plans do reign over all. His Word will indeed bring truth, conviction, and ultimately joy:
"... So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands."
In 2 Timothy 3:15-17, we read: "... From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
In addition, Isaiah promises that salvation will come to the Gentiles, too. This plan of restoration and redemption steps far beyond what the Israelites' minds would have comprehended. Its grandeur and ambition could only come from "the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." (Romans 4:17c)
QUESTIONS
1. What areas of your life or your community could use God's redemption?
2. In what ways has the revelation of God's Word changed you over the past week? Month? Year?
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