BOOK OF ISAIAH - CHPATERS 58 - 62

A study on the last 27 chapters of Isaiah helps us to understand the end of the present age. Use this brief outline as a study guide as you read the verses yourself.

 

 

SECTON THREE - CHAPTERS 58-66 

 

Further prophecies concerning the coming of a new age, expressed with a greater sense of frustration at the failure of earlier prophecies to materialize but with enduring hope in the older predictions (see chapters 60 - 62). A notable emphasis is placed on the distinction between faithful Judeans and impious or corrupt ones. Some scholars believe chapters 34-35 were originally part of this section so we will look at them at the conclusion of this section. In this section the prophet speaks to the moral shortcomings of the believers--the difference between the faithful and unfaithful becomes a focus. Chapters 60-62 and parts of 65-66 insist that full redemption will take place and the nations will come to the one true God at the end of the age.

58.1-15 True piety and false piety (faith). The prophet focuses on proper religious practices that the Judeans are performing hypocritically. Why has glorious restoration not fully taken place? The exiles have returned, but the land is still under foreign control. The prophet says that the people’s sin has prevented full restoration from taking place.

This sounds a lot like us. We often get mired down in sin and cannot move forward with God. Many times we don’t even recognize our sin. That is why David prayed for God to show him his true heart. Then David could repent and move forward. God shows us many things about ourselves in order for us to admit/confess to it--then we are to allow Him to work it out of us. When we refuse, we get stuck. There is a deeper walk or abiding with the Lord that we must voluntarily enter into. God wants to have a deep personal relationship with His people. Close--not far away!

58.1-7 Fasting and justice. God is showing us that we often observe ritual and fasting--but we sometimes do so for our own benefit, not out of true devotion. True fasting is to give up one’s own desires. They were fasting and going about their own business and withholding wages from their laborers. Sometimes we pray and fast for divine intervention and justification in our own quarrels against others. This is a selfish purpose. God wants our hearts to be humble.

God’s presence will return to us when our heart is right. Fasting casts a light on our shortcomings first.

58.8-12 When our heart is right we will experience breakthrough. The Lord is teaching us to be compassionate towards others and He wants to build His character in us. He knows our weakness and will “rebuild” us if we yield to His wisdom and leadings.

58.13-14 The Lord wants His people to rest on the Sabbath. In ancient days they kept doing business and pursuing their own affairs. God made the Sabbath for us to rest and meditate on His word. In our modern society, it is go to church for an hour, and then go play. Maybe God is trying to tell us something here?

59.1-21 Rebuke, confession, and reconciliation. The prophet reprimands the nation; the faithful among the nation acknowledge their misdeeds, and the prophet announces that God will bring justice and mercy to the people.

59.1-8 Sin and its consequences. “It is your iniquities that have been a barrier…it is your sins that have made Him turn his face away.” These verses sound a lot like our nation’s justice system. It sounds a lot like our political system and our corrupt financial system. God is calling us out to a higher standard of living or walking in the spirit. Are we in heavy debt buying things? Do we selfishly seek only for ourselves? The Lord wants us to walk like He walked. Sometimes we need to examine our lives. These verses can also point out that all men need the personal salvation the Lord is offering. In any case, we must turn from our ways towards His way.

59.9-15a Confession. The Judeans lament their fate. The faithful confess their sins. Instead of distancing themselves from those responsible for misdeeds, they acknowledge that they share in the responsibility for the nation’s sin.

There are many people praying for our nation. As we pray for our country, we realize that we too have fallen short. What can we do? That is a question each person must ask the Lord. He will show you what He wants.

59.15b-21 God’s response. God brings justice, which is good news for the faithful and bad news for everyone else. The penitent Judean’s who turn back to the Lord will enjoy salvation, not the whole nation. In verse 21 the Lord makes a covenant with the penitent.

Again, God is speaking to the church. Only God knows our heart. Many give lip service. Often times there is grave sin within the church. God is pleading that we turn back to him. Judgment begins at the house of God. God is often disappointed in us. We are each personally responsible for our walk with God--your brother cannot change your heart.

60.1-22 Royal city, royal nation. God will rule the nation (world) in the future, and the nation (Israel and believers) will enjoy royal status as kings and priests. We are talking millennial here!

60.1-3 Light shines in darkness. The prophet speaks to Zion which becomes a light to the nations. We are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Up to now both Christianity and Judaism have failed to do this.

60.4-16 Zion and the nations. Because the nations of the world will recognize and fear God, they will bring tribute to Zion (vv 1-11). We see many nations going to Israel today. Tourism is bringing the wealth of the nations to Israel. The Christian nations want to go there to experience the Bible. Jerusalem’s gates are today, always open. In vv 12-13 we see the rebuilding of the temple. Today there is a group known as the Temple Institute who are prepared to rebuild the temple and institute the priesthood. In the days of the Antichrist, he will set himself as God in the temple. There are some tribulation prophecies here and some millennial prophecies.

60.17-22 The city is transformed. These passages sound very much like Revelation 21 and 22. Ancient scripture says the divine presence is surrounded by extraordinary bright light. (Ex 24.16-16; Isaiah 4.5; Ezek 1.26-28; 10.14; 43.2; Ps 104.2)

61.1-9 Jubilee for Jerusalem. These verses describe Yeshua as the King in the millennium, and believers serving as kings and priests. Our mission will be to serve and teach the nations about the Lord. Zechariah 14.7-11; 16 shows a glimpse of this time.

61.10-11 Doesn’t this sound like the wedding feast of the Bride and Groom?

62.1-5 Triumph for Zion. Describing how God will bless us…eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, those things which God has prepared for those who love Him. This is describing the millennial kingdom.

62.6-7 Until that day, the Lord has set watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem. They will prosper who pray for the peace of Jerusalem. It is our duty as Christians to pray for Israel until Jerusalem is the Lord’s capital. We have been grafted into Israel and Jew and Gentile will come together in a day yet to dawn. Read Romans 9 thru 11.

62.8-12 God addresses Zion. The Lord confirms the prophecy--there will be national redemption for Israel and we will reap the harvest. The world will know that the Lord, He is God. It will be a glorious future! Catch the vision.

 
Tomorrow: Chapters 63 through 66