July 31 A READ ISAIAH 63–66
Isaiah’s Prayer and the Lord’s Reply
OVERVIEW
Isaiah closes his great prophetic work with a stirring prayer of intercession for the house of Israel. While acknowledging their waywardness and frequent rebellions, he nevertheless claims God’s promises on their behalf to redeem them and to refashion them into a people for his glory. God’s response is both stern and comforting. The rebels will be punished for ignoring God’s frequent invitations. Idolatry, covetousness, rebellion, and disobedience will be rooted out of his people. In addition, a rich store of glory and blessing awaits God’s faithful ones: a new heaven and earth, no more tears, no premature death, no want of food, and no violence in nature. Isaiah concludes by summarizing the major themes of his book: God exalts the humble and contrite; the Messiah is coming to take vengeance on his enemies; all nations will see God’s glory; and all flesh will one day worship the Lord.
MY DAILY WALK
The book of Isaiah is a sobering reminder of the painful consequences of
• taking God lightly;
• ignoring his promises (and thereby forfeiting his blessing);
• ignoring his warnings (and thereby incurring judgment); and
• ignoring his invitations (and thereby missing the joy of a personal family relationship with God).
Isaiah’s prophecy is long. It contains more chapters than any other Old Testament prophetic book. But his message is simple and concise—judgment and comfort: judgment for those who fail to heed God’s voice, comfort for those who do.
Give yourself a spiritual hearing test right now. Are you tuned in to hear God’s voice? Do you answer when he calls (6:8), or is your line constantly busy? There will come a day when the phone quits ringing forever. Spend the next few minutes telling God what you have learned from the book of Isaiah.
THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE LORD NEVER SEE EACH OTHER FOR THE LAST TIME.
INSIGHT
The Book of Re-Revelation | Isa. 63:1–66:24
For a “divine commentary” on the concluding chapters of Isaiah, consider the following passages in Revelation where the same themes are addressed:
new heaven and new earth (65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1)
the Judge in bloodstained garments (63:1-3; Revelation 19:11-13)
no more weeping or crying (65:19; Revelation 7:17; 21:4)
peace like a river (66:12; Revelation 22:1-2)
INSIGHT
Old Testament News | Isa. 65:1–66:24
Notice how much “news” there is in chapters 65–66: new nations brought into the fold, a new name for God’s people, new heavens and a new earth for their inheritance, and a new order of worship!
Judgment against the LORD’s Enemies
1Who is this who comes from Edom,
from the city of Bozrah,
with his clothing stained red?
Who is this in royal robes,
marching in his great strength?
“It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation!
It is I, the LORD, who has the power to save!”
2Why are your clothes so red,
as if you have been treading out grapes?
3“I have been treading the winepress alone;
no one was there to help me.
In my anger I have trampled my enemies
as if they were grapes.
In my fury I have trampled my foes.
Their blood has stained my clothes.
4For the time has come for me to avenge my people,
to ransom them from their oppressors.
5I was amazed to see that no one intervened
to help the oppressed.
So I myself stepped in to save them with my strong arm,
and my wrath sustained me.
6I crushed the nations in my anger
and made them stagger and fall to the ground,
spilling their blood upon the earth.”
Praise for Deliverance
7I will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love.
I will praise the LORD for all he has done.
I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel,
which he has granted according to his mercy and love.
8He said, “They are my very own people.
Surely they will not betray me again.”
And he became their Savior.
9In all their suffering he also suffered,
and he personally* rescued them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them.
He lifted them up and carried them
through all the years.
10But they rebelled against him
and grieved his Holy Spirit.
So he became their enemy
and fought against them.
11Then they remembered those days of old
when Moses led his people out of Egypt.
They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea,
with Moses as their shepherd?
Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit
to be among his people?
12Where is the one whose power was displayed
when Moses lifted up his hand—
the one who divided the sea before them,
making himself famous forever?
13Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea?
They were like fine stallions
racing through the desert, never stumbling.
14As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley,
the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest.
You led your people, LORD,
and gained a magnificent reputation.”
Prayer for Mercy and Pardon
15LORD, look down from heaven;
look from your holy, glorious home, and see us.
Where is the passion and the might
you used to show on our behalf?
Where are your mercy and compassion now?
16Surely you are still our Father!
Even if Abraham and Jacob* would disown us,
LORD, you would still be our Father.
You are our Redeemer from ages past.
17LORD, why have you allowed us to turn from your path?
Why have you given us stubborn hearts so we no longer fear you?
Return and help us, for we are your servants,
the tribes that are your special possession.
18How briefly your holy people possessed your holy place,
and now our enemies have destroyed it.
19Sometimes it seems as though we never belonged to you,
as though we had never been known as your people.