Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Seven

I can’t even imagine the confusion this prophet must’ve experienced as he was instructed from God what to write. It’s a roller coaster ride through these next chapters: 47-50. 

God speaks judgment to Babylon, the empire that will be His vessel to punish His chosen people for idolatry, because they went too far in their oppression. Yes, God allowed the 70 year captivity, but He’s also a God of vengeance, their Redeemer, and the LORD of heavens armies (vs. 3). This idea also carries into Revelation 16:19, 17:5-6, and all of 18 when people will again think they are the almighty “I am” (vs. 8, 10).

Apparently Israel isn’t off the hook in chapter 48 for God speaks to their sin and yet speaks of new things, hidden things, that are coming. It will be for His own sake, to show His faithful love, and He tells Israel His identity once again. He’s the first and the last, the past and the future, He’s their Creator, Sustainer, and highest authority, therefore, they should leave Babylon as they did Egypt. 

Chapter 49 is called a Messianic passage because it speaks of Jesus the Messiah as the roller coaster heads up to the top again. This encouragement of God coming to earth as a human, called from His mother’s womb (vs. 1), God’s Servant, will be a light to the nations (Luke 2:29-32), and His salvation will reach the end of the earth (vs. 6). It will be a time of God’s favor, people will come out of spiritual darkness, and there’s shadows of the new heaven and earth when there will be no hunger or thirst, and He’ll guide us on level ground back to Him.

Zion is a name for Israel that focuses on salvation and rescue, although she’ll feel abandoned in Babylon, God comforts her in verses 15-26 promising restoration of their nation once again. He’s their Savior, their Redeemer, and the invincible One of Jacob and you can take that to the bank! 

Yahweh must again remind His people (ch. 50), and that includes believers today, that He is the Sovereign One with complete dominion over the earth. Whatever happens, He remains in charge. 

Beautiful references to Jesus’ future ministry is seen in verses 4-6; He taught His disciples, He walked daily with them, and He completed the process of suffering on our behalf while remembering His Father’s help. His face was set on Golgotha, the cross, and He knew He would be vindicated. His advice for us today is remember to trust and rely on Him as His chosen people as well, knowing the enemy will come against us but He’s on our side. It must’ve been so comforting for Isaiah to write not only rebukes and judgments, but also these future, far future, and even far, far future prophecies that will carry us to His Return. They remain on the top for a while so let’s enjoy these next few chapters to come.