Isaiah 58-62
When you read Isaiah 58, you might think that it’s just about “fasting.” It is about the way we fast. In other words, there is a right way and a wrong way to fast, observe the Sabbath or do any godly thing. The wrong way is to imagine that our “good work” is earning us brownie points with God. “Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” (Isaiah 58:3) we cry to God. We think our devotion is worth something. Isaiah teaches that our devotion is worth NOTHING if it does not bear the fruit of selfless service! Read this chapter for yourselves; it’s powerful!
Isaiah 59 begins with Biblical truth that our sins separate us from God. Read this chapter and see how pervasive sin is. This is why even the repentant need a Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20)!
Isaiah 60 literally sings of that day when the light of the Lord will shine on all peoples and all nations, “for the nation...that will not serve You will perish!” (Isaiah 60:12)
Isaiah 61 requires us to be present on that day in the Nazareth synagogue, when Jesus stood to read the opening verses of this chapter, then sat down (like all Jewish teachers) and said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus was claiming Messiah-ship that day, and—in the end—it nearly cost Him His life three years to soon. Read this chapter thinking: Jesus!
Isaiah 62 describes what the restored, redeemed, holy people of God will look like! When you read this chapter, think: New Jerusalem!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
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