But now thus says the
Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Isaiah 43:1
NRSV.
When Deuteronomy 32:3-4 is placed
alongside of Isaiah 51:1 something unique is presented to the World. God is
described as the Rock [see other devotionals] and then the prophet writes,
‘Look to the Rock from which you were hewn.’ To re-enforce the bond between
Yahweh and Israel, such words as ‘The Rock who begot you, DT.32:18, Father,
Isa.63:16, Husband Isa 54:5.
At
least eleven times the prophet highlights God’s role as potter. ‘Yet, O Lord,
you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are the work of
you hand.’ Isaiah 64:8. Yahweh is the ‘hands on’ Lord Almighty. The ‘clay’ He
took consisted of the genes of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The intensity
associated with His relationship with Israel is often stated as His love for
those three special and different men.
There
is always a purpose underlining what He does. Yahweh’s intention for Israel is
recorded for our understanding within Scripture. chapter 43:7. ‘I have created
him for my glory’ tells all of us Israel’s status in God’s eyes. The other
Nations may despise the Potter’s work, or be envious of its uniqueness but
Yahweh holds it as precious.
As
a work of art expresses the creative heart of the artist so too Israel was to
display the glory of God. They were formed to be His witnesses in the midst of
pagan idolatry and worship of demons. This Work of Yahweh was to confront all
other Nations with the declaration ‘Yahweh is God alone, there is no other’.
His character was to be made known through them as holy, righteous, faithful
and the God who does not lie! One other interesting role the Nation was called
upon to express. ‘You are holy, You, who inhabits the praises of Israel.’ In
some way, Hold would ‘fashion’ out of the genuine praises of this Nation a
feeling place.
We may find this strange, even egotistical,
until we look back into the ancient world and its religious systems. There were
virtually no grounds on which the people could stand and give praise to their
gods. Fear dominated the service and sacrifices. How could you praise that idol
which required child sacrifice or depraved worship. God was raising a people
whose worship came from a redeemed people with the hope of the Messiah. From
gratitude to Yahweh for mercy, forgiveness, providence and protection song of
praise would arise. What a magnificent collection can be found in the Bible,
especially I the book of Psalms and even in Revelation!
Israel
expressed the glory of the Lord of Hosts in praise. It was as though they were
to be His choristers and performers on the world’s stage. Their melody, harmony
and message, was to capture their ‘audience’ with the wonder and glory of
Yahweh. The psalms of course resound with this testimony. Unfortunately, Satan
sought to drown out their praises through stifling their voice and scattering
the ‘choir.’
What
seemed to be a successful strategy for silencing the song actually added to the
Lord’s glory! He achieved His purpose of fulfilling His word concerning the
Messiah, the cross and salvation.
Yahweh
will fulfil what He promised regarding Israel.
Some key aspects such as the millennium Kingdom are coming. The Nations
of the world will join them, especially at the Feast of Tabernacles to
celebrate the Lord’s power and glory (Zechariah 14). Isaiah is captivated by
the idea of his nation shedding their laments and entering into the courts of
the Lord with singing during that time. At least 18 times the prophet wrote about
the people, the land and even the Heavens singing praises to the Lord. Why? For
He has done marvellous things and He, He alone, is worthy of praise.
Ray Hawkins 2020/18/3.
