Isaiah 65 (v13-16)

This chapter begins God’s assurance that He will answer the prayer of the previous passages.  We should note carefully what the LORD says.

·        65:1-7: God here acknowledges that the humble confession of sin by the one(s) who prayed (64:6-7) is well placed.  Israel has in fact sinned (v1-2) and she will be judged for her idolatry (v3-7).  God’s indictment in the opening verses is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Rom. 10:20-21.  Paul understands that God is saying that the Gentiles, the nation that was not called by My name found Him even though they did not seek Him.  On the other hand, Israel was a rebellious people who walked in their own way, rejecting God’s outstretched hands all day long.

·        65:8-16: God then assures Israel that He will bring salvation.  There will be a wonderful restoration involving the land and the people (v8-12).  The way God will do this will, as always, be true to His word and character.  There will be a clear distinction between the holy remnant, His servants and those of Israel who will not turn to Him.  As Paul would point out, they are not all Israel who are of Israel (Rom. 9:6-13; 2:25-28).  There will be a redeemed nation, but made up of those who have come to God through the Messiah.  Zechariah’s prophecy indicates that of the nation in the end times, only one third will make up the believing remnant (Zech. 13:7-9).

·        65:17-25: The blessing on that remnant is assured in the words of the LORD, promising the great blessings of the Messianic Kingdom.  It appears, in the context of Isaiah, that this is what is spoken of here.  Revelation 21-22 speak of this time on earth when the New Jerusalem seems to be present over the earth as the blessings of the Kingdom of God are experienced on earth.

Let us note again the description of God’s people in v13-16.  There is a clear distinction between the remnant and the rebellious.  It will be true in the chosen nation, that God’s grace is received only by those who have come to Him.  This also explains how it is that, for example, in Isa. 63, Israel is blessed and Edom is not.  Edom was like their father Esau who wanted to inherit the blessing but was rejected because he found no place for repentance (Heb. 12:17).

Let us trust God’s word that this also explains how it is that not all people today, upon death, will be ushered into the blessings of eternity in God’s presence.  The issue is not the person’s good works because all are guilty, not deserving eternal life (Rom. 6:23).  God’s grace is received by those who recognize their need and who turn in repentance to trust God’s grace.  

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. (Titus 3:4-6)