Isaiah 59
BBCIsaiah 59:1
- The Iniquities of Israel (Chap. 59)59:1-8 It is Israel’s sin that holds God back from delivering them; the fault cannot be laid at Jehovah’s door. Their hands, fingers, lips, and tongue are all active in murder and lying. There is widespread perversion of justice and dishonesty. People conceive evil and bring forth crime. Their activities are as dangerous as vipers’ eggs and as useless as a spider’s web. Sin controls every area of their liveswhat they do, where they go, what they think. They care nothing for peace and justice, preferring what is crooked. What was true of Israel is also true of the entire human race (Rom_3:15-17). 59:9-15a Speaking for the believing remnant, Isaiah now confesses their sin as his own. He acknowledges their injustice, unrighteousness, blindness, deadness. They growl with impatience and moan in despondency. There is no justice and no deliverance. Their transgressions had multiplied in God’s sight and testified against them. They denied the Lord and wandered far from Him. They spoke in the language of oppression, rebellion, and falsehood. Justice is driven back, righteousness stands afar off, and truth falls a victim in the street. Uprightness is refused admission, truth is nowhere to be found, and the godly man is assaulted. 59:15b-21 When the LORD looks down, He is grieved that there is no justice. He marvels that there is no man (intercessor or mediator) capable of handling the situation, so He steps in and does it Himself. His own arm (strength) brings Him victory and His own righteousness upholds Him. He dons the armor and moves out against His foes in righteousness, salvation, vengeance, zeal, and fury. He gives the Gentiles exactly what they deserve, so that, at last, all the people from east to west are forced to acknowledge that He is Lord, for He (the Messiah) comes in like a flood, driven by the breath of Jehovah. He will come as Redeemer to the godly remnant in Zion. Then God will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, as we also read in Jer_31:31-34; Heb_8:10-12; Heb_10:16-17.