Immediately, in chapter 65, God replies to Isaiah’s prayer of intercession. For anyone with ears to hear, his answer is not encouraging for the majority of the nation. He did not hide his heart. So, what did God say? …
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Isaiah Prays: Devotional 2.89
As the prophet reviews the current situation as it is, he places God at the center. Sion, with its sanctuary, once reflected the glory of God. Men praised God because of it. It is God’s glory in Sion that lies burnt and ruined. Isaiah repeats the sentiment he expressed in verse 15: God has withheld himself. That is the core of the current problem, as well as the key to its solution. …
God “Opens Up”: Devotional 2.88
But yet, in spite of all his wrath, God does respond positively to Isaiah’s intercession in Isaiah 65:8-9. He will save a faithful remnant (grapes with juice in them). He describes their blessings (Isaiah 65:8-10). Then, from 65:11-16, the Lord describes the punishment he will give to the unfaithful of his own people. He contrasts these punishments with the reward he will give his faithful remnant. The following five sentences summarize the closing four chapters of Septuagint Isaiah: It used to be like this with Israel. It will soon be this other way. Nevertheless, I will redeem and bless my faithful remnant. I will extend my blessings and redemption to Gentiles (Isaiah 65:1). The world is about to change. …
Final Cycle of Repetition: Devotional 2.87
Chapters 63-66 conclude both Volume 2 and the entire book. Within this cycle of repetition, God in his own words reveals and explains his heart in a directly open and bluntly clear way. His words span the course of Israel’s entire history from its inception to its future, eternal end. Within this overview, God does not neglect to mention his inclusion of Gentiles within the community of Sion and Jerusalem, whom he chooses to bless. …
Cycles of Repetition in Isaiah Volume 2: Devotional 2.86
Isaiah Volume 2 is not arranged chronologically. It contains three cycles of repetition, much as the book of Revelation repeats itself in cycles. Each cycle in Isaiah presents a somewhat different focus. Cycle one gives the most detail concerning the suffering Servant himself. Cycle two emphasizes God’s believing people, both among those of Israel and among the Gentiles. Cycle three contrasts the results for apostate Israel against results for believers, who live in the new Jerusalem. This group includes ethnic Israelites and Gentiles together. It shows the reader God’s end goal right into eternity. All three cycles deal with Israel’s past history, the first coming of God’s Servant, and the eternal results of the salvation he brings. …
One God, One Marriage: Devotional 2.84
The sanctified Zion, made holy by the Servant’s sacrifice of himself, will gladly submit herself to God. Argument and complaint, disobedience, and outright rebellion characterized Old Testament Israel’s relationship with their God. Occasionally, when hard-pressed by their enemies, Old Testament Israel turned to their God. But because of the work of God’s Servant and the outpouring of his Spirit, the newly created Zion will be completely different. Like a crown of beauty and a royal diadem in God’s hand, they will gladly submit themselves to him, as a satisfied woman to her own husband… God has joined believing Israelites with believing Gentiles. There is one God and Lord, one marriage of God to his people, and one bride in the holiest of all matrimonies. …
Septuagint Isaiah 62:1-2: Devotional 2.83
In this portion of Isaiah, the prophet writes mostly about God‘s relation with his people. Part of his great plan includes an influx of Gentiles. Zion will be different from the time of the Servant’s Advent forward. A new day is dawning. And with that new day, in honor of the Lord Servant, his christened one, God provides a new name.
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