Isaiah 49:13-18 A Promise to Believe

Isaiah 49:13-18 contains one of the most reassuring promises in Scripture.  Like the previous section in Isaiah, God continues to tackle the unwillingness of His people to believe His Word.  In this case, a wonderful promise is in Isaiah 49:13, but it is followed up with unbelief (cf. Isaiah 49:14).  Difficult circumstances call into question the validity of God's promise.  Isaiah 49:15-16 contain two beautiful images that reassure God's people.  Isaiah 49:16 provides an easy road to the Gospel as God reminds us of the hands of our Savior (cf. John 20:19-20, 27).  When circumstances tempt us to think God has forgotten us, remember His hands. 

Isaiah 48:16-22 Theology Through Rebuke

There are times in Isaiah's Gospel when God teaches His Church through a rebuke of His people's condition.  That's the case in Isaiah 48:16-22.  Isaiah 48:17 describes our Lord in terms of His ability to teach and lead His people.  However, Isaiah 48:18 states that God's people did not pay attention to His instruction.  The rest of Isaiah 48:18-21 explain all the good things that would have happened if God's people had paid attention to His instruction.  Then, the section closes (Isaiah 48:22) with a frightening reminder of reality: "There is no peace...for the wicked."  All through Isaiah, God has been warning His people that they cannot expect future deliverance if they look like the nations around them.  Isaiah 48:22 provides a strong call for God's people to turn from their unbelief and begin to pay attention to His instruction.  These preaching portions provide numerous opportunities to teach God's people how redemption in Christ leads to a new life.

Isaiah 48:1-11 How God Deals with His Stiff-necked, Hard-headed People

In Isaiah 48:1-11, theology is conveyed through a description of God's people.  They have a hollow confession (Isaiah 48:1-2).  God's characterization of His people in Isaiah 48:3-8 is not very flattering.  Especially look at Isaiah 48:4, 8.  Ouch!  This teaches us about our original condition as sinners and also helps us realize our default setting in the face of God's instruction.  Thank the Lord that Isaiah 48:9-11 contain God's gracious response.  This explains what troubling circumstances are designed to do in our lives.  Isaiah may be pointing to Christ in Isaiah 48:8 by way of contrast.  In the next chapter, Isaiah 50:5, our Lord Jesus Christ is described as having open ears to God's Word.  Through faith in Him, by the power of the Spirit, we, too, now can move from being rebels to patriots.  Isaiah intends to move us out of "rebel" status by teaching us that God is refining our faith in the fire (Isaiah 48:10).

Isaiah 45:14-25 Why We Must Be Religious Bigots

The key to this section of Isaiah is the repetition of the concept of the Lord being the only God and, therefore, the only Savior of the world.  Notice the repetition and restatement of this idea in Isaiah 45:14, 18, 21 (twice), 22.  What's important to remember is that God makes these exclusive, narrow claims for His people.  Isaiah is not written for the agnostics or atheists, but for the Church.  All along our study Isaiah has pleaded with us to part company with society and its idolatry.  So, here we're shown one God (Isaiah 45:14, 18-21), two destinies (Isaiah 45:15-17), and one way (Isaiah 45:22-25).  The last section contains an invitation/application.  Isaiah 45:24 is an excellent way to move from Isaiah's Gospel to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the One through whom righteousness is received.  Help God's people see their idolatry and urge them to "turn to" the Lord and "be saved..."  An interesting hermeneutical issue is the way in which Paul picks up on Isaiah 45:23 in Philippians 2:10-11.

Isaiah 43:22-28 and the Potential Danger of a Busy Church

In Isaiah 43:22-28 God provides a description of a major sin His people were committing against Him.  Something had gone wrong with their sacrificing (Isaiah 43:23-24).  We know from Isaiah 1:11-14 that there was all kinds of religious activity going on, but no worship.  The fatal combination of going to worship and sinning was nauseating God (cf. Isaiah 1:13).  It's pretty easy to make a connection with our current situation where the Church is looking more and more like society and less and less like the Savior.  We have more ministries operating than ever before, but we share the same morality as the world.  Thankfully, tucked in the middle of the negative assessment of our worship experiences is the Gospel of Isaiah 43:25.  In Christ, those who have their sins forgiven also have the desire and capacity to worship God in a way that satisfies Him.