Bible Studies

MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH Lesson 70 and 71

by Henry Jaegers
11/07/23
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MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

By Henry Jaegers

TURNING A NEW PAGE IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH.

Lesson 70

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qrvNKe_t2T2unNkeQ_TTIeBKKXNbupHn/view?usp=sharing

As we continue our study, as we approach chapter 24, there seems to be a natural division in these chapters, 24-30. In the previous chapters, we focused on “That day”, as it pertained to Israel and the nations involved in her destruction. For instance, in the first five chapters, we focused on Judah's backslidings. Then in chapters 7-9, our focus was on Israel in the North who constantly sought the destruction of her sister in the South. In this section, the prophecy of Assyrian Captivity is pronounced as “That Day” as pertaining to Israel.

Then in chapters 10 to 23, the focus is now centered on the Gentile nations and how “That Day” applied to them.

There is no doubt that the main subject of Isaiah has become the main thrust of the book. But as we have discovered, “That Day “ is composed of two parts. One being negative and the other being positive.

As we continue to simplify the message, the first part, chapters 1-39, has to do with unrighteous men. But in chapter 40 a new focus begins, and it is the focus of “That Day in relationship to the righteousness of God. And it is noteworthy that in the remaining chapters, no mention of “That Day” is found. (Except one in a more neutral sense.

As to the times when these messages were given, from the majority opinion, the first five chapters were written during the reign of Jotham.,But I have a different idea because the backslidings did not happen during Good King Jotham’s reign, although the seeds of backsliding were not apparent until Ahaz began his rebellion against God. Perhaps. Ahaz may have started out well in getting the attention of Israel, but it was not long before pressure began to be placed upon him, he decided that he did not need God's help and began his rebellion shortly after.

After chapter fifteen, then the king of Judah was led by Hezekiah, who did well to re-establish the kingdom in righteousness. In chapters 36-39, we see what happened during the fourteenth year of Hezekiah, so by that time, his kingdom was well established. I reckon, that the remaining chapters from forty on were written during the times of Hezekiah.

Now from chapters 24-29, the day of the lord is described as a day to be avoided, as God describes in greater detail the horror of that time.

MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

By Henry Jaegers

Lesson 71

Chapter 24

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_MY_BE_JfvvOmY177XFZvqYKKsfsLoZd/view?usp=sharing

A Time to be Avoided.

What is God Going to Do?

Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. (Verse 1)

In case anyone has some misguided ideas of what will happen “In That Day,” God has spoken clearly in this verse about what can be expected. Let us examine what this verse has to say to us.

The first thing we are told is the source of that period is  “The Lord". It is designed, designated, and dictated by God. It is different from the time when men must face the consequences of their neglect. With these, there is still hope of God changing his mind if they accept His discipline. This judgment is final with no place for repentance (Unless, of course, men take the message seriously and begin their turn backward to the Lord )

The next thing to consider is what is He going to do. First, He is going to make it “Empty and Waste. It reminds us of the first word spoken by God in Genesis chapter one. It describes the period when God began His creation. It is described as “Void and without Form” That also aptly describes the condition of men without God. But it is different now. when God began His creation, it was not a result of preceding evil. There is no evil with God.

But now, God is describing a drastic change that is about to take place.  First, it will become empty. Have you ever considered the horror of that condition? Men who had memories of better and happier times will have them no more. And consider the word “Waste. It describes something that has no value. Even our most expensive and dedicated works which we have done will be worthless

The third thing that He tells us is, “That He turneth it upside down. What does that mean? Basically, it means that it will operate outside the normal course of things.” As an illustration, I recall the response of the world to the preaching of the Gospel in the book of Acts. Remember, that they were saying that the disciples with their message were turning everything that they held as important Upside down. But the fact was, the world was already turned upside down, With the message of the Gospel, the world was now to be turned right side up. It was already topsy turvy in its function as they chose to live their life without God.”

Then, finally, He tells us that the inhabitants of the world would be scattered abroad. How bad can that be? First, it involves a change of circumstances. Next, it involves not having your friends or families nearby to help you in time of need. Third, It might result in complete loneliness and dread of the future. Now who would ever choose to live under such conditions? But there will be no choice. It is a matter determined by God that describes what “That Day will be like., But we have only examined the first verse. What else does God have to say? Consider verse 2.

And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. (Verse 2)

If we were to condense these verses into a simple statement, it would be a time when no one can be trusted. Promises will be made but there will be no one accountable for their actions. When you face a problem, there will be no one available to help you. Imagine living in a world such as this. At this point, I am reminded of what Jesus said concerning what the times will be like prior to His coming.

 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (Matthew 24: 10)

Considering this, knowing beforehand the potential wickedness in every human heart (Jeremiah 17: 9) we should not be surprised when these things happen, either today or in the future. During “That Day, such things will be amplified.

The Cause and Effect of their Transgression on the Rest of the World

The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.  The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.  The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. (Verses 3-5)

It is hard to imagine the extent of the devastation that is prophesied here. But it is a promise confirmed, as we consider the amount of damage that was done by Nebuchadnezzar. We are told that he flattened that land to the point of dust and ashes. A place totally unrecognized by those who once experienced the former glory of that city with her magnificent temple. All of this is recorded for us in the later chapters of Jeremiah. Here, is demonstrated the difference between faith and reason. Faith takes God at His word and acts appropriately in anticipation of God's word being true. We are told that the purpose of prophecy is to inform and to prepare. Faith does that. But logic (Or reason) sees things as they are and makes no provision at all because they see it as something that cannot happen.

Then the words " the world languisheth and fadeth away), bring to mind the words recorded in the book of Lamentations, of the inward sorrow of that great city over its destruction. What is spoken as a prophecy, is now a history, described one hundred years later.

Then the verse closes by giving us a reason for all of this. Consider:

 Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant.

We might wonder how a people with such a rich tradition and experience of the workings of a living God, could fall so far. One simple word, "Neglect," gives us a clue. When things are going well, it is easy to take things for granted and forget the goodness of God in allowing and providing all of these mercies. But I am also reminded of the many times the word "Remember is so often used. It is not an easy thing to neglect what is most important to God. I am reminded of the church at Ephesus addressed in the second chapter of Revelation, that they left their first love."

Although we are not told what that was, it is wisdom on the part of God not to get specific, because whatever it was, Ephesus knew exactly. It happens when we get busy in our service to God, and unconsciously find ourselves in an empty condition because we have neglected something that God sees as important.

We see this illustrated in the home of Mary and Martha, where Jesus visited. Martha was so encumbered with 'busy activities,' that she failed to take time to welcome and give attention to her guest. Mary, on the other hand, welcomed Jesus warmly and sat at His feet, and heard his word. Jesus concluded that Mary had chosen "That better thing." And that is a good illustration of giving attention to what God sees as important. And the children of Israel were about to suffer these terrible things because they were guilty of neglect.

To those who are about to face the consequences of their neglect, this was not to be a happy time. But aren't you glad that God never ends with that as His purpose for us? Often it is our backslidings that are our greatest teachers, but let us beware of concluding that backsliding is ever a desirable choice. God has better things in store.

What Lies Ahead

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh. The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth. They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in. There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, and the mirth of the land is gone. In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction. When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done. (Verses 6-13)

At the time that this prophecy is given, to the nation of Israel, such a thing is unimaginable. To them, the seriousness of the judgment appears to be something that cannot happen to them, since they are "the chosen of God."  But judgment is no respecter of any persons. The curse that comes upon the whole earth is due to the failure of God's people to be faithful. It will start with the arrival of the King of Assyria, progress onto the King of Babylon and will find its final fulfillmentin the final kingdom of Anti-Christ.

The reality of all of this can be found as recorded in the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Jeremiah lived to see its beginning and testifies the sorrow of it in ""the Lamentations. Ezekiel prophesied during the actual time of Jerusalems destruction, but was able to see beyond to "The New Jerusalem through his final visions.

The portion of these verses to focus on is, " The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in." It is "the City of Confusionm" that  summarizes all that will take place. What is happening is nothing for which they can prepare themselves. Theverses themselves are the warning, but the devastation that occurs shall bethe reward of rejection and neglect.

Any previous joys will no morte be found and even the memories of them will fade and their focus will be on their present.  Butthere is still tie to turn back to God before all of this happens..

Unfulfilled Expectations

They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea. Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires, even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea. From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. (Verses 14-17)

As I reflect upon these verses, I am reminded of the time after the ten spies gave their report. God promised that because of their unbelief, that they would never experience entering the promised land. They would wander and die in the wilderness. And they were only eleven days journey from it.

 Thereis an expression that says “A day late and a dollar short.” And I wonder if that applies here. Maybe they thought that they could change God’s determination for them by Changing their direction. It was too late.

It appears that these subjects of judgement must have entertained some false hopes. That,perhaps god might change His mind. We might say that they had vision of granduer and this escape from reality gave them some inner comfort. But that is all that it is. The true reality is found in the closing statement:

 But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth”. That is the reality that they hoped to have escaped

 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.  The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.  And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. (Verses 18- 23)

In these closing statements, I would like us to consider a phrase used often in scripture. It is the phrase, "And it shall come to pass."  It is used two times in verse 18 and verse 21. It is usually used to express a change from one thing to another.

I recall, in the study on the life of Elijah, it was used frequently in a positive way as God prepared the next act  where God was preparing for Elijah's  arrival in his next step of faith. But before us, there is no Good News for a people about to face the negative activities pertaining to "That Day." To those who are to face that time He says; " that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.  The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again."

No matter how clever or creative a person my be, in his seeking to avert these things, all of his efforts will be no more than like being caught in a trap that he has set for others. No human ingenuity, can escape the determined judgments of God. It is a useless endeavour. God will reign and be exalted, despite the actions of men. When He refers as being removed as a cottage, that term goes back to chapter one where God refers to Zion as like a cottage of cucumbers. It means a cottage , that long ago has become useless and overgrown with cucumbers(Not like the vegetable that we eat, but a noxious weed type of growth.) That is the comparison made.

Then I refer you to the second statement found in verse twenty-one.

 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.  And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

In case those in high positions think that they will be exempt  because of their "High and lofty estate," God states that they shall be taken captive and suffer great humiliation when He comes to reign Gloriously.

As we close this chapter, the question we must ask, in preparation to all of this is, what should be the  proper response that should take place in light of what this chapter tells us? The answer is found in Chapter 25.