C. Restoration secured through Israel's glorious King (The King of Peace), ch. 58-66
Israel's false worship contrasted with true worship, 58:1-14
Israel's confession of sin, and the Redeemer's remedy, 59:1-21
Israel's radiance and peace in the Light of the Redeemer, 60:1-22
Israel's joy in the completed Gospel of the Anointed One, 61:1-11
Israel's complete restoration; the Lord's complete destruction of her enemies, 62:1-63:6
The Remnant's prayer for Divine intervention, 63:7-64:12
The Lord's response to the Remnant's prayer, 65:1-25
The Reason for rejection of the nation, 65:1-7
The Reservation of a remnant, 65:8-16
The Revelation of the new heaven and the new earth, 65:17-25
The Rest of trusting His Word,
versus man's religious delusions, 66:1-4
The Rebirth of Israel through travail,
versus the recompense to the Lord's enemies, 66:5-9
The Rejoicing of Jerusalem in continual consolations,
versus the consumption of the Lord's enemies in eternal fire, 66:10-24
[points a., b., c. adapted from JVMcGee]
a. The Reason for rejection of the nation, 65:1-7
1. I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name. 2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way [that was] not good, after their own thoughts; 3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; 4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels; 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
I am sought of them that asked not for me...-
Verse 1 can be translated in two ways:
Paul quoted v.1 (from the GK Septuagint) in Rom 10:20,
applying it to the proclamation of the Gospel to the gentile nations that had not been seeking the LORD. Although they did not seek Him, He made Himself known to them, and many came to salvation.
According to the nuances of the HB text, the verse can also be translated:
"I made myself available to those who did not ask for me;
I appeared to those who did not look for me.
I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’
to a nation that did not invoke my name." [NET]
This reading applies to the Jewish people (cp. Rom 9:4,5). Though they were privileged to have God's Word, they disregarded what He said, and placed no confidence in 'My Name' {ie., Who I Am}.
I have spread out my hands... unto a rebellious people...-
In v.2-5, the LORD is speaking about the Jewish people (as confirmed by Paul's quote of v.2 in Rom 10:21).
When God's Word is rejected by those who have opportunity to hear it, the LORD sends His messengers beyond them to people who will receive it. Thus, in the early days of the church, the message went to the Gentiles when the Jews rejected it (eg., Acts 13:46).
a people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face...-
A brief list of Israel's offenses follows:
that sacrifice in gardens...-
ie., They worshipped in the idolatrous groves, rather than in the LORD's Temple;
and brought their offerings to devils, rather than to the LORD. Jer 3:6; Deu 32:16-21
that burn incense upon altars of brick {lit., upon bricks}...-
Bricks made fireproof places to burn incense before household idols. eg., Isa 66:3(d)
which remain among the graves... in the monuments...-
ie., They were pre-occupied with death, and demons,
in pursuit of occult powers for communion with the dead.
which say... I am holier {more sanctified} than thou...-
This sounds like the self-righteousness of the Pharisees (eg., Luk 18:10-12).
However, in the context of the above list, it probably relates to a 'superior spirituality' claimed by those who engaged in the occult practices which are condemned here.
The specific items mentioned were representative of their spiritual corruption. Disregarding God's Law, they delved into a 'deeper level' of occult spirituality, by which the initiated were set apart from the common man (making them, in their own sight, 'holier' than others, v.5; Isa 66:17; cp. Rev 2:24).
However, their attitude and practices caused God's anger to rise and burn continually. Throughout his ministry, Isaiah repeatedly warned Israel against these and other sins. Today, the western 'Christian' nations, which have long been privileged to have God's Word, are also guilty of rejecting it and turning instead to all sorts of false spirituality.
6 Behold, [it is] written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, 7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
...it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense...-
The LORD keeps a full accounting of our lives. The wages of sin will be paid out, in due time. Though the LORD delays judgment, allowing time for sinners to turn back to Him, the day of reckoning will come (Gal 6:7,8; 2Pet 3:9,10). The judgment, which Israel deserved, was rapidly approaching, as Isaiah wrote. Despite those now historic judgments, false spirituality continues unabated and continues to accrue God's wrath, as the Day of the LORD approaches.
8. Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and [one] saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing [is] in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. 9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. 10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
as the new wine is found in the cluster...-
Though the LORD must deal harshly with Israel, His unfruitful vineyard which produced 'wild grapes' {stink berries} (Isa 5:1-7), He will preserve a 'cluster of good grapes,' the believing Remnant, whose hearts are right toward Him. Isa 10:20-22; 26:2-4; Rom 11:5-7
I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains... (v.9)-
The 'seed' and 'inheritor' is the Messiah, the elect {chosen One}.
The inheritance, 'My mountains,' refers to the land of Israel, from which the nation was exiled (Eze 6:2-10), and to which they will be restored, when the Inheritor returns, at His second coming (Eze 36:5-12). Having been redeemed by Him, the remnant will enter into the blessings of the Messiah's long anticipated Kingdom, in the Holy Land. Eze 36:22-28
mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
The LORD's 'elect' {chosen one} is Christ (1Pet 2:4-10). The 'servants' of God are the believing remnant who are identified with Christ, as His spiritual children (His seed, His generation; Psa 22:30; Isa 53:10). The remnant, belonging to Him, is also referred to as 'elect.' v.22; Rom 11:5-7,28; 1Pet 2:9,10
Sharon shall be a fold of {for} flocks, and...
the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people that sought me.-
The LORD will make the land of Israel to be a place of peace and safety for the Remnant.
Historically, Sharon, the western coastal region along the Mediterranean Sea, had been a thoroughfare for the armies of Egypt and Assyria. This region will be devastated during the Tribulation period (Isa 33:9). But in the Messianic Kingdom, the land will be restored and enemies will no longer pass through. Isa 35:2; Joel 3:17; Zech 9:8
Achor means 'trouble.' In this valley, located about 8 miles east of Jerusalem, the sin of Achan was confessed and put away from the nation (Josh 7:25,26). Figuratively, the valley of Achor depicts the Time of Jacob's Trouble (in the Great Tribulation), which will humble the people of Israel and turn them to the LORD. The time and place of judgment will become a 'door of hope' and a place of peace, for the believing Remnant (Jer 30:7; Hos 2:15).
11. But ye [are] they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. 12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did chose [that] wherein I delighted not.
but ye are they that forsake the LORD... that prepare a table for that troop...-
In contrast to the believing remnant, who sought the LORD (v.10c), the nation had forsaken Him, to serve false gods.
The word 'troop' {HB= gad} was the name of one of Jacob's sons (Gen 30:11; 49:19).
It was also the name of a Babylonian deity, the god of 'Fortune.'
that furnish a drink offering unto that number...-
The word used here for 'number' {HB=maniy} referred to a Babylonian deity of 'Fate' or 'Destiny.' It is similar to the HB word 'manah' meaning to count or number.
However, these words ('a troop... a number') also have broader significance. The people honored multiple false gods with their offerings, as they sought to increase the chances of improving their lot in life, and of accumulating wealth and fortune.
but ye are they that forsake the LORD... therefore will I number {HB=manah, appoint, destine} you to the sword...-
Except for the believing Remnant, the nation was destined for judgment, from which they would not escape. As they had bowed to their idols, they would bow before their slaughterers.
...because when I called, ye did not answer... when I spake, ye did not hear...-
13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: 14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. 15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: 16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry...-
The LORD makes a radical distinction between unbelieving Israel and the believing Remnant of Israel (Rom 9:6-8).
Likewise, He discerns between professing Christians and His truly born-again children. To the eyes of men, they may look the same (Joh 1:11-12; Mat 13:24-30,36-43). The Rapture of true believers will usher them into the joys of heaven (1The 4:16-18), while the false church, will suffer the judgments of the Tribulation period (Rev 2:22; 17:1,2).
Those, who "eat... drink... and sing for joy," are those who have been redeemed, through faith in the Messiah and the salvation which He has provided. Isa 55:1-4; Joh 6:35; 7:37; 16:20-22
ye shall leave your name for a curse... the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name...-
In Scripture, a 'name' is often much more than a title. The Name of God encompasses all that He is, His character, purposes, actions and reputation (eg., v.1; Isa 9:6; 25:1; 30:27).
The 'name' (character) of unbelieving Israel has been described in detail above: eg., they called not on the name of the LORD (v.1), they provoked Him to anger with occult practices (v.2-5), they blasphemed Him in their high places (v.7), they worshipped false gods (v.11). Therefore, the LORD would destroy them, but they would leave behind their 'name' (ie., the remembrance of the sinful characteristics, for which they were judged). Their memory would be a curse.
The unbelieving nation would be destroyed, but the believing Remnant would be saved through their identification with the Messiah. Their 'new name' would reflect His characteristics (cp. Isa 62:2 with Jer 23:5,6; 33:16).
Whereas, unbelieving Israel had been a curse, believing Israel will be a blessing. (cp. Zech 8:13, where the names 'Judah' and 'Israel' apply to the nation, whether believing or unbelieving). While they were in unbelief, God said they were not His people, but He will bring them back to Himself (Hos 1:9-11; 2:15-23; Rom 9:25-27).
Some misuse v.15 to teach that God has cursed 'Israel,' has replaced it with the 'Church,' and has called His servants by the new name 'Christian' (Acts 11:26(c)). However, the testimony of Scripture (in multiple promises spanning all of the prophetic books) is that, far from being done with Israel, the LORD's purpose is to purge Israel of sin and to restore the believing nation under their Messiah, the son of David (eg., Jer 31:31-40; 32:36-44; 33:25,26).
...he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless... by the God of truth... ...he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth... (v.16)-
In contrast to cursing, by the name of those who trust Fortune and Fate and forsake the LORD (v.11), the Source, of blessing in the earth, is the God of truth.
This word for 'truth' {HB='amen} occurs twice in this verse. Elsewhere, in the OT, this word is translated 'Amen' or 'So be it.' In the NT, the Messiah is called 'the Amen' (cp. 2Cor 1:20; Rev 3:14). It is He, by whom God's purposes are fulfilled in the earth. At His first coming, the Messiah identified Himself, not only with the truth, but as the Truth (Joh 14:6; 18:37). The Remnant will know the blessings from the God of Truth, because they trust in the Truth of God who is their Savior and King.
c. The Revelation of the new heaven and the new earth, 65:17-25
17. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever [in that] which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Here, as in Revelation 21, the Millennial Kingdom and the Eternal Kingdom (in the New Heaven and New Earth) are previewed together.
It is as though two translucent pictures overlay one another. Both pictures are of one Kingdom. Their distinctions relate to time. The Millennial Kingdom on earth will endure for one thousand years, after which the earth and the heavens will be destroyed by fire (Rev 20:1-15; 2Pet 3:9-13). But the Kingdom of the LORD and of His Anointed will continue uninterrupted, for ever and ever, in the new heaven and earth. Psa 45:6; Dan 7:13,14; Rev 11:15; 22:3-5
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more thence {ie., from that time forward} an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree [are] the days of my people, {Some trees live for centuries.} and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
In v.17-25, some elements, of the picture, apply to the Millennial Kingdom while others pertain to the New Heaven and Earth. For example:
While the 'redeemed of the LORD' initially populate the Millennial Kingdom (Isa 51:11), the children born to them will have the sinful Adamic nature. Therefore, unless those children are saved from the curse of sin, by being 'born again,' they will be excluded from the Eternal Kingdom (Joh 3:3,5).
There are other differences. But many elements will be constant 'from that time forward' for eternity. cp. Isa 62:4,8,9; 25:8; 51:3,11; 60:20,21
24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
...before they call, I will answer...-
What comfort this assurance is to the believing Remnant! cp. Isa 64:12
Because their new hearts will desire what God desires, He will readily answer their requests (cp. 1Joh 5:14,15).
...the wolf and the lamb... together...- cp. Isa 11:7-9
The groaning of the creation will be ended. Rom 8:19-23
...dust the serpent's meat...- The serpent is symbolic of Satan.
Although serpents grovel in the dust, serpents never ate dust as food, nor will they in the future. Rather, this expression is figurative of Satan being brought down to the dust of death, in ignominy before those whom he influenced, and in defeat before the One against whom He rebelled. Gen 3:14,15; Psa 22:29; Isa 14:13-19; Rom 16:20; Rev 12:7-9; 20:1-3,10
they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain...-
The 'holy mountain' encompasses the whole of the LORD's Kingdom, which will be centered in Jerusalem (Mt. Zion), during the Millennial Kingdom (cp. Mic 4:1-3), and in the New Jerusalem, in the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev 21:1-3).