The land of Israel and Isaiah 53.

There’s something strange about the land called Israel. In area so small, it’s difficult to see on a world map, yet it is desired by many nations. Many wars have been fought on it across the centuries. Satan longs to sit enthroned on the Temple mount and the surrounding Nations covet it. The prophesied final conflict between Christ and Satan is centred in Jerusalem whilst the invading hordes encounter the judgement of God on the plains of Armageddon. So much of what is taking place in the World today shrinks in importance with events surrounding what many term ‘The holy Land.’

 

 At this moment the ‘Promised Land’ seems locked into a cursed prison. Many consider it forsaken by God. The greater portion of the people are agnostics or atheists and although a lot of the country has been made productive, much more needs to be done. Still, we need to remember it has a destiny. It’s a land unique and a country mentioned by scripture with words which make it ‘alive and with feeling or sleeping and waiting.’

Abraham and his descendants were promised to inherit this land, with blessings and consequences. The reason stemmed from the fact that the Lord claimed the land as His own. Israel were tenants of the land, not owners. Obedience to their covenant with Yahweh meant prosperity, disobedience brought on them, judgement, and ultimately captivity in a foreign land. There were certain specific expressions of immorality and lawlessness which Yahweh abhorred. Shedding of innocent blood placed a burden of guilt on them [Deuteronomy 19:10]. King Manasseh drowned the land in innocent blood and much more, 2 Chronicle 33:1-18, and the Nation and land suffered. Jeremiah quotes the Lord about how the land ‘felt’ and said it ‘mourned [12:10-13].

Centuries before the Babylonian captivity King Solomon built a temple. When it was dedicated his prayer mentioned the time when the Nation would go into captivity. Solomon, based his prayer on a prophesy by Moses in Deuteronomy 28-31 that repentance would pave the way to return [2 Chronicles 6:19- 42]. However, sin against the Holy One of Israel required retribution [Jeremiah 51:5]. Jeremiah also recorded the land was cursed [Jeremiah 44:22]. How could the curse be lifted? When the penalty is paid, the period of the curse passes. But it is only by the shedding, the covering of a poured- out life, symbolised by the blood of sacrifice! Christ Jesus we are told was cursed by being crucified on a ‘tree’. This was based on Deuteronomy 21:23 in the mind of the Jews. The blood of innocents cried out for justice and it was the blood of an unblemished innocent that responded. Christ's shed blood paid the prices justice demanded, cleansed the land an delivered a far greater threat of judgement. Reject His substitutionary act of grace and the wrath and justice of the Father falls without respect to persons.

Zechariah spoke and wrote about the cleansing of the land, 3:9, in one day. This would be achieved by the Promised One known as ‘My Servant, the branch.’ Later, in 13:1 Zechariah points to ‘in that day’ when a fountain will be opened for the cleansing from sin and uncleanness. This would also have far reaching consequences for the land. Throughout this book are references to Jesus and various deeds fulfilled in the Gospels. For the Land of Israel, the prophets foresee a future of vitality, beauty, safety and the centre of the Kingdom of God. Isaiah writes , it will be a time when the wolf and lamb get along, the leopard and the young goat lie side by side by side as will the calf and young lion [Isaiah 11:6].

Ezekiel sees it a time when no famine will occur, fruit will multiply and the fields will increase their yields. The people and the land will be free of uncleanness [Ezekiel36:25-32]. A most glorious picture of this coming time is recorded in Isaiah 62. The people will be the delight of the Lord and the land is Beulah, that means it is married.

Is it any wonder that the Servant unveiled in Isaiah 53 will be exalted, extolled and lifted high [Isaiah 52:13].  As the apostle Paul said, He has a Name above every name, and before whom all will bow the knee.

©Ray Hawkins August 2019

 

Israel as the wife and Isaiah 53.

Hosea and Gomer form the love story in the Bible entitled Hosea. It has all the elements of a great novel, love, betrayal. Heartbreak, forgiveness and reconciliation. The added dimension of this book is that Yahweh takes it and uses it to explain His love for Israel. He also uses this analogy to express various truths for His followers today. In a world where marriage is being shredded by people with a Hollywood type of easy come easier go mentality. Among the truths are: loves mercy and forgiveness, God makes Himself an example of being a husband and father. He also gives a purpose for going Himself the title husband [Your Maker is your Husband’ Isaiah 54:5] and Israel the title ‘wife’.

According to Malachi 2:16 it was so that there would be godly offspring. Another reason for the Lord’s insistence through scripture, on not being unequally yoked (c/- 1Corinthians 7:14). There are very severe consequences for unfaithfulness in marriage. Adultery was a death sentence. How is it then that the nation termed Yahweh’s wife wasn’t stricken by stoning? For the people had gone after the gods of the surrounding nations. At the very least He could have divorce her. However, He hates divorce [Malachi 2:16, although He did condone separation, with the purpose of reconciliation. This is why we read in Hosea the effort Yahweh went to rekindle the nation’s love for Him. Love may forgive and restore, but God’s holiness and justice demanded their judicial rights, death!

Throughout the book of Hosea, the reader can sense the anguish of God. Speaking to one of the tribes, Ephraim, he says, “How can I give you up” [Hosea 11:8]. To another, Zeboim, “My heart churns within me”. He promises to heal their backsliding and turn away His anger, but how? Hosea 13:14, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.” Redemption was understood through the Nation’s animal blood sacrifice which foreshadowed Isaiah 53 fulfilment. Only then could iniquity be removed and the people be restored to their previous relationship. Here will be expressed the reality of Calvary. Paul writes it up so well in Ephesians 5:25, ‘Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for Her.’  The husband took his wife’s condemnation. He died in her place! Has that made her a widow? Fortunately, no! The husband of Israel, the sinless Messiah embraced her guilt and took the sentence. Judgement consumed the sin but the righteousness and purity of the Husband prevailed unscathed. His victory clothed Him in a new, glorified, resurrected body. One day, known only to the Heavenly Father, the wife will also wear her glorified body.

Those insisting Yahweh has removed the nation from His promised program fail to understand this love. If it was true, what an indictment on His power, foreknowledge and grace. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, wrote the following. ‘Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah …and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’ [Jeremiah 31:31, 33].

Surely, that would have put a smile on Jeremiah’s heart and face.

Next. The land of Israel and Isaiah 53.

 

 

 

Israel – The Servant…Isaiah 41:8-10.

Job is the earliest book of the Scriptures. There, in the first eight verses, we read that he was a very prominent, well respected man. Yahweh crowns him in a confrontation with Satan as “my servant”. That title expresses a relationship with the Lord as well as an honoured role. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wear this title (Exodus 32:13}, Moses is also honoured in this way. When Israel was created it too was endowed by being so called [Leviticus 25:42,55]

To be Yahweh’s servant held a great privilege wrapped up in a heavy responsibility. Let us briefly consider areas into which Israel was to live out this relationship. Isaiah 43:21 ‘This people I have formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.’ Is God on some type of celestial ego trip? Of course not! It’s in praising Him we are expressing His person, His mission and His grace. The Psalmists show us the way. It does the heart good to personally write out your praises for the eternal Lord God’s influence and intervention in your life .

The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had been formed and chosen to be Yahweh’s witness. In the midst of nations their covenanted relation with Yahweh, the distinctive sacrificial system combined with the Law and promised Messiah made them unique. To be a faithful witness required instruction, then implementation. Here began their descent into compromise and dishonour. They knew what to believe and how to live. But they didn’t believe what they knew, so, were unable to live out what was required. Their call to be a ‘light unto the Gentiles’ failed to shine. Reading the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel we cringe at their betrayal. Trouble is, a similar betrayal takes place in the Church.  

Isaiah 43:7 informs the reader of God’s special purpose for Israel, His Servant. They were for His glory. Their condemnation included tarnishing His Name by mixing Him and His covenant with the idols of the world’s religions and their depraved morality. Being scattered amongst the Gentile nations was to be their ‘eye-opener.’ However, the Servant must be chastised for gross neglect and betrayal. The fullness of the law’s justice would destroy them. So it is, we read that the Person of Isaiah 53 stood in their place.  He was stricken, smitten, afflicted and pierced through for their transgressions. What was the witness being given? No one treats the call of the Lord carelessly. He calls all to give an account, even to the chosen ones.

Therefore, it is the realisation of the need for a Redeemer to step in between judgement and the promises of God. The Messiah had not yet come, the Kingdom of God was still a dream and the Servant stood condemned. How could they keep their calling? Only because of Heaven’s ability to see the future. The Anointed saviour had already been crucified in the mind of God. Only for that fact Isaiah 9:6-7, the promised Kingdom and ruler, would have never seen the light of day. The suffering servant of Isaiah 53 is the most critical Person for Israel’s redemption and continuance and also our salvation.

Jesus lays claim to fulfilling the criteria for the beloved Servant. From the moment He began His ministry in Luke 4:18 by quoting Isaiah 61 Jesus testified in word and deed to being ‘the Servant.’ When we consider His crucifixion from the brutality of the soldiers to His final breath each aspect related to fulfilling justice. They weren’t aware of this, but the Judge was. Jesus was wounded [pierced through], bruised [crushed], stripes given [blows that cut into His body] to deal with the peoples’ grief, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, peace [restored relationship] and the offering for sin.

It is only by the sinless life of the suffering Servant that the prophetic record concerning Israel will happen. Praise the Lord for the bodily resurrection of the Christ. Our prayers, in accordance with Christ’s, will be fulfilled when God’s kingdom is operational on earth.  

copyright August 25 Ray Hawkins. 

Next...Israel as 'wife' and Isaiah 53.

 

Israel – God’s Son and Isaiah 53.

 Reading Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Fathers in the ancient world held a number of functions, depending on the various cultures. In Israel he was the Head of the family, also a priestly role and also the Judge. It is important to understand this when doing a study of ancient nations. Within Israel the father’s position is stressed with a subtle command. ‘You shall honour your father and mother that your days may be long on the earth.’ This is quoted in the New Testament to the Disciples of Christ, (Ephesians 6:1-3).

In Exodus 4:22-23 the tribes of Israel are described as Yahweh’s son. Pharaoh was dismissive of that the title and its implication. As he hardened his heart against Israel severe judgement awaited which brought much regret upon his family and nation.  God always calls to account those who violate His Name and people. Even His chosen Nation discovered this.

At Mount Sinai, Israel agreed to the Covenant relationship between God and themselves. Part of the Ten Commandments stressed the importance of obeying each household’s parents.  In Deuteronomy 21:18-22 outlines a scenario in which a father has life and death power of his son. The son is labelled as, stubborn, rebellion, ‘will not obey,’ and one who was a ‘glutton and drunkard.’ Before the father can execute judicial authority, he must present his reasons to the city Elders. Condemnation meant stoning to death.

Reading through the history of Israel it’s failure as a son emerges time after time. They get disciplined constantly, but apparently to no avail. How is it then that the Nation still exists, especially in the light of Malachi 1:6, ‘A son honours his father … if then I be a Father where is my honour …’ This was a constant source of irritation to the Lord God which caused the verdict of death on it. They took the Father’s Name in vain. they profaned His holy Name among the Nations. To profane meant that the holy Lord God of creation and redemption was placed in the same league as the pagan gods. Reading the prophet Ezekiel this charge is levelled against all classes of society many times.

The Biblical principle is that the wages of sin is death. Israel the son was doomed to die. But this posed a dilemma for God. He had stated that Israel would one day be ‘Head of the Nations’. That it would be the dwelling place of the great King. That it would be the Nation through which the Messiah would come. But it must die, unless another with the credentials of Son appeared on the scene and took the Nation’s place.

 At His baptism, as an adult, and on the occasion of His transfiguration [Matthew 3 and 17] Jesus was declared to be the Son of God. No one else could have the credentials to be the Lamb for Israel’s deliverance and forgiveness. The ruling Elites of Israel rejected His claim and deeds and condemned Him to die. Jesus placed His call, authority, credibility on John 5:39 and that Genesis to Malachi spoke of Him. Anyone reading the Gospels must be confronted by the insistence of Jesus in calling God “Abba-Father”. The trouble was the people’s unbelief! Anger so overwhelmed that they took up stone to kill Him. They didn’t believe their scriptures. They didn’t bother to investigate. That’s the Devil’s strategy. Therefore, blindness of soul kept them from recognising Jesus as the Promised One. They had no idea that, in their ignorance and hatred they were in fact making possible the Nation’s forgiveness and existence. Such is the Sovereign grace and over-ruling power of God. Yes, it is delayed but their National salvation and restoration is guaranteed.  As the son in disobedience to his father must die, so Jesus as The Son of God must die to pay that penalty. He must fulfil the Passover Lamb’s role. At the same time, He will be their sin offering, their burnt offering, their fellowship offering. All of this would be of no avail without the testimony of Isaiah 53:1Lamb1, “He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied” The resurrection foreshadowed.

Israel lives because Jesus is the Son of God and took their penalty as the disobedient son. He was also the Lamb of God in its many expressions.

Copyright August 2019

Next: Israel, The faithless servant