“Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength!” (v. 1)
I could hardly get past this verse. My soul is parched for renewal. And the Scripture’s prescription is “be silent.” We all have lots of downtime. It’s called internet time. In fact, our weekly internet use tells us we have a lot of time for what we prioritize. But silence? Stillness? Just having nothing but praying and seeking without an electronic device? After a season of dryness I’ve been coming back to that lately and it’s been so good.
“Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service?” (v. 2)
This one was confusing. When I think of “east” in the greater context of Isaiah I think of Babylon or Assyria, but this is one who is called to “righteousness to his service.” Had to hit the commentaries on this one and it seems some think it’s Abraham who was Ur and others think Cyrus who blessed the return to Israel. I’m inclined to think Abraham and Israel as he was the father of Israel. And this fits more contextually the rest of the chapter where Abraham and Israel are mentioned explicitly (v. 8).
“The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; each helps the other other and says to his brother, “Be strong!” (v. 6).
The distant Gentile nations see the work of God, and they come before him trembling. They are so afraid they have to encourage one another to go forward. Especially as they themselves are idolaters (v. 7).
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced” (v. 11).
One thing I’ve seen blogging through Scripture is how much God is a defender of Israel. He loves her and disciplines her, and even at times uses her enemies to do so. But in the end, he will strike down those who touch the apple of his eye. He will come against those who are her enemies and make her as nothing.
“Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,” declared the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel” (v. 14).
Uh…he just called Israel a worm. Isn’t that a bit of an insult? Not necessarily. Different times and different cultures have different nuances to words. God is just saying, I know you are small and powerless, but I am powerful and will help you. It’s true. And not only that but God would make them powerful again. And God would get the glory.
“I will make rivers flow on barren heights and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs” (v. 18).
For many years God had handed Israel over to the nations because of Israel’s disobedience. But now was the time of restoration. Once again there would be life. The desert would have water. Why? Because it’s something only God could do, and He alone gets the glory.
“Bring in [your idols] to tell us what is going to happen…tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods” (v 21,23).
This is straight up mockery of the idols of the Gentile nations. Their gods are powerful compared to God Almighty.
“I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes…Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know…” (v. 25,26).
Cyrus will be coming from the north to conquer the Babylonians and this is what Scripture had predicted. The gods have not predicted such, only the Lord God of Israel. He says this of the gods of the nations:
“Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion” (v. 29).
In this chapter God is restoring Israel. He is turning them from weakling into a strong force. He is turning their desert land into lands of river and streams. He is showing himself powerful and the gods of this world as nothing. But this is what God will do for Israel:
I will strengthen you. (Isaiah 41:10)
I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10–14)
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth. (Isaiah 41:15)
I will open rivers in desolate heights. (Isaiah 41:18)
I will make the wilderness a pool of water. (Isaiah 41:18)
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree. (Isaiah 41:19)
I will set in the desert the cypress tree. (Isaiah 41:19)
I will give to Jerusalem one who brings good tidings. (Isaiah 41:27)
