Today’s Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5; SOAP: Isaiah 2:5
Observation: A prophecy about Israel’s future and ours
God gave Isaiah a message about Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah’s words would have been questionable at best and totally unbelievable at worst in the minds of his listeners – who had been warned of exile and destruction if they did not repent of their idolatrous ways. His words were nonetheless true and coming. Yes, the words were given to a nation about to go into exile because of their idolatrous ways – but Isaiah points them to a better day of hope and restoration.
From the book of Genesis forward throughout the Old Testament there was the promise of one who would crush the head of the serpent, and one who would save His people from their sins. Then there is the passage where Isaiah talks of how God was preparing a way where there seemed to be no way … or consider the words of the Apostle Matthew, when he said:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
Matthew was connecting Jesus [Immanuel, God with us] to the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14, where he said:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Whether this prophecy of Isaiah is solely referring to the birth of Jesus is debatable among scholars but clearly God’s inspired word through Matthew attributes truth to this understanding.
While we look forward to the second coming of Christ, the people of Judah were given hope and would have been looking forward to the first coming – the first Advent – the coming of the Messiah.
Application: What can we learn from this?
Clearly Isaiah is giving hope but he is also giving them an instruction to not wait to follow the LORD but to live in His ways now. They would enjoy peace “now” if they submitted to Him and faithfully walked in His ways. The same is true for us in this world of chaos and idolatry that seems to hold no hope and demands us to wait – on what at times can appear to be an unbelievable promise – but is nonetheless the hope of our faith.
I love this quote from the LGG devotional and I think it best sums up for us what Isaiah was telling the people then – and can still speak hope to us today:
“That is the character of our God. No matter what we have done or how we (personally and corporately) have turned against Him, He is the God who restores. He sent His Son as the redeemer of our souls. He is the hope we have, the promise of restoration. When we walk in His guiding light, we see the future hope we have in Him.”
LGG Devotion, day 1 of 2022 Advent, The God who Restores
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, while this is a message for the tribe of Judah in the days of Isaiah, Your prophet – I thank you for the hope it brings to all nations. For by faith, those who have believed in Your only begotten Son, will be among those who dwell in Your Kingdom. Blessed be Your glorious and gracious name! In the Name of the One in whom I have placed my hope and faith – Amen.
Your Turn: Reflections on the Word Read
Even though God promised to judge His people for their sin, He offered a glimpse into the future glory of Jerusalem.
- What does this reveal about His character?
- What does this mean about us, in our season of waiting?
(I invite you to share your thoughts/answers in the comment section …. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior please message me and let me share with you the greatest gift you will ever receive.)