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