July 31, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Isaiah 59 - No place in the Bible is it as clearly stated as verse 2 when God says that sin separates humanity from God.  Though sinful people pray, God is aware of their prayer but He sill does not listen to them, until, of course, they call to Him for salvation.  People without the Lord don't know what it is like to have peace, verse 8.  When God looked for a redeemer, He did not find that person among humanity.  God Himself had to come and save, verses 16-21.

Isaiah 60 - Once again the Lord describes the glories during the Kingdom Age yet to come.  Both Jews and Gentiles will rejoice in His light, verse 2,3.  God will bring joy and glory to Jerusalem, verses 15, 19, 20.

Isaiah 61 - The opening verses of this chapter speak of Christ's ministry in both His first and second coming.  Jesus read from this passage as recorded in Luke 4:16-21 and He only read up to the opening line of verse 2, "to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."  That described His work during His first advent.  The rest of verse 2 and then verse 3 speak of the work He will do upon His 2nd coming.  Note the words of verse 10 which can refer to the Lord, Himself, but also to those He redeems.  He will clothe His own with "robes of righteousness" which speak of the believer's acceptance before the Lord.

Isaiah 62 - God promises to continue to work on behalf of His people.  He refers to their land being called "Hephzibah," which means, "My delight is in her," and "Beulah," which means marriage, verse 4.  These are encouraging words for His people, but they are encouraged also to cry out to Him and "do not keep silent, and give Him no rest," verses 6,7, until He brings these things to pass.

Isaiah 63 - The Lord speaks about treading on the winepress of His anger, verses 2 and 6.  He will bring vengeance against those who have rejected Him.  Isaiah cries out for Israel and speaks of God's affliction as He observes the affliction of His people, verse 9.