Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Encouragement to barren women is given in Isaiah 54. Jehovah says He will be her husband. He is also the redeemer. After the destruction of Israel, He has promised not to punish the Israelites this way again. They will be established in righteousness. Any new attacks are not from God. Just as we should not blame our distress on Him.

Thirst is equated to spiritual need and desire in Isaiah 55. Food is related to our search for God. Yahweh will make a covenant with each of us as He has with David and the Israelites. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He outdistances us as the stars outdistance the Earth.

If you want to know what Jehovah expects of us, Isaiah 56 gives it to us straight. Maintain justice, do what is right, don’t desecrate the Sabbath, and keep your hands from evil are the first ones given. Verse seven is where Jesus quoted, “my house will be called a house of prayer. . .” when he cleared the Temple of those seeking to profit by worship of the Lord.

One of my complaints about our society today is that many people are into alcohol and don’t seem to be able to relax and have good times without some form of drunkenness. The chapter ends in verse twelve with “Come, each one cries, let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”

We ended the last chapter with a look at what the wicked will receive. In Isaiah 57 we begin with a look at the righteous. No one seems to care about them, but they will be spared evil, and find rest in death.

The sacrifice of children is mentioned in verse five. We are too civilized, to do that in our culture. Let’s look at abortion, crime, poverty, abuse, and admit that these are the ways we sacrifice our children. The Israelites had fallen into the trap our nation has by focusing on sexual impropriety.

Yahweh contrasts Himself to the wicked People of Judah and Israel. While He will give peace to the innocent and humble, He will continue to allow the evil to suffer the consequences of their sin.

Do you ask God to help you make decisions or bless certain areas of your life? In Isaiah 58 Jehovah tells Israel and Judah that they have no right to ask anything of Him, because they refuse to obey Him. Do we do the same when we ask the Lord to answer our prayers and neglect justice, oppression, hunger, nakedness, and shelter? We do some. How much is enough?

Verse ten says that we should spend ourselves on the hungry. Not just a little is enough. We are enough. Our best efforts are needed, not just lip service as the Israelites were guilty of. Yes, our salvation is free to us. It cost Christ His life. Yahweh died to save us. How can we say no to Him?

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger