Isaiah 59:1-8, Sin and Glory in Israel

Isaiah 59 is such a rich chapter.  Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened (v1).  Amen! Amen! Amen!  But your iniquities have separated you from your God (v2).  Again, Amen! Amen! Amen!  Israel’s temporal salvation (from the Babylonians) is tied to her eternal salvation BY THE LAW!  Obedience to the law was how she could stay in the land.  Her disobedience (iniquities) separated her from God, with the punishment being removal from the land.  They are at enmity with God and need reconciliation (“the way of peace,” v8).  This section of Isaiah fits perfectly with Romans.

Romans 3:21-26 (redemption, propitiation, justification)	Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (the Song of the Suffering Servant)
Romans 4 (call to faith)	Isaiah 55 (“come to the waters … buy without money)
Romans 5 (peace with God, reconciliation)	Isaiah 57 (no peace for the wicked); 58 (hypocritical religion); 59 (the way of peace)

In the latter part of Isaiah (40-66) the key terms for “sin” are transgression, iniquities and sins.

·       59:12: “our transgressions are multiplied before you.”  Hebrew pehshah, used 10X in Isa. 40-66.  Literally rebellion, a fault or trespass. 

·       59:2: “your iniquities have separated you from God.”  Hebrew awvone, used 14X in Isa. 40-66.  Meaning perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt of iniquity.  Perhaps this is illustrated by the list in Rom. 1:28-32.

·       59:2: “your sins have hidden His face from you.”  Hebrew hatta’at, used 7X in Isa. 40-66.  Literally misstep, slip of the foot; then to sin, miss, go wrong, miss the way or goal; then to incur guilt, penalty, miss the mark. 

It is interesting that none of these terms are used in Gen. 3, the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden.  The first uses of each are in the context of the patriarchs (Jacob and Joseph time).  Does this relate to Rom. 5:13, For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  Each of these terms is dependent on a “law” or “standard” of some kind.  “Transgression” assumes recognizable guidelines.  “Iniquities” bring guilt.  “Misstep” assumes a path on which to walk.

Israel’s sins separated her from God.  But Isaiah is also clear, God’s glory will be the glory of Israel.  It will characterize the Messianic Age.

·       60:7: “I will glorify the house of My glory.”  The temple was always the house of His glory.  But until His glory was removed in the days of Ezekiel (Ezek. 7-11) His glory was sorely tarnished by the idolatry of His people.

·       60:9: He will glorify Israel, His people.

·       60:13: “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you.”

·       60:19: “The LORD will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory.”

·       60:21: Through their righteousness, God will be glorified.

Israel’s future glory is detailed in Isa. 61:4-11.  Her glory will be the result of the work of the Messiah, who comes to earth in two “advents” (Isa. 61:1-3).

Through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ the Church, the Body of Christ, is also the house of Christ’s glory.  According to John 17 (esp. v22), Christ is our glory.  To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph. 3:21).  Israel’s day is yet future.  Let us live this way now.