Read Isa. 60:19-61:3, Chapter by Chapter, Isaiah 57-61 (6)

·       57:14-21: The preceding warnings against turning after idols (because you are impatient as you wait upon the LORD) leads to the LORD affirmation about faith: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit. God will not always be angry with Israel, even though it is His right.  He will do His spiritual work, bringing peace to the one who is far off as well as the one who is near.  But as always, there will be no peace for the wicked.

·       58:1-14: Some apparently had complained that they had been involved in fasting but that God had not responded (v1-3).  This is a typical response for Israel (and many others).  They trusted in their religious activity.  But God’s response was that their fasting was not true fasting because their hearts were not right.

·       59:1-8: Again, God tells Israel that their way is not hidden from Him.  It is not that God is incapable (which the enemies of Israel in Isaiah’s day made this claim, and likely many in Israel were saying the same thing).  The problem is not God’s inability but Israel’s sin that separates them from God.

·       59:9-15a: These are the words of confession, from a righteous Israelite, perhaps from the prophet Isaiah himself.

·       59:15b-21: The LORD’s response is to assure them, that since there is no one else who can do it, He will provide salvation for Israel.  The Redeemer will come out of Zion (v20). This was quoted by Paul in the same context of God’s promise to keep His word to Israel, in Rom. 11:26.  In other words, while the atonement was provided for Israel in Paul’s day, they still had not come as a nation to faith in the Messiah.

·       60:1-22: Yes!  The light will shine.  The Gentiles will come to the light of Israel when they finally have trusted the Messiah.  The wealth of the Gentiles (v4-7) /the coastlands (v8-9) will be brought to Israel because the LORD will have glorified her.  Those nations who don’t come will be ruined (v10-12).  Lebanon and the sons of those who afflicted Israel will bow to Israel (v13-16), bringing great wealth (v17-18).  God will be the glory and the light of Israel!

·       61:1-3: Part of this passage was quoted by Jesus at the synagogue of Nazareth (Lk. 4:18-19).  They help us see that even after Jesus provided atonement for sins, yet Israel is still waiting.  The three verses are Messiah’s total ministry.  In Luke Jesus quoted through the first line of v2.  The rest speaks of the day of vengeance when Israel will finally be submitted to Messiah.  Jesus did not quote the part that would be fulfilled in His second coming.

·       61:4-11: Israel will then be restored to glory and will be praise to God.

Ideas for memorization: 57:15,21; 59:1-2,8,20; 60:19-20.