A blessed Wednesday of Holy Week to you all.
You might be saying, "Wait a second, in the last post Jeff said we'd be focusing on the events of Holy Week." You're right. I did say that.
And during Holy Week, as we advance to the cross, it is only fitting that we spend a little bit of time in Isaiah's prophecies. In Isaiah, we see the events of Holy Week played out.
And of all the prophets, Jesus quotes Isaiah the most. Isaiah plays a crucial role in both Advent and Lent.
1 Thus says the Lord: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
What does this all mean?
The Kingdom has been split, at this point. The Northern Kingdom, Israel, betrayed YHWH. Still, despite everything they have done, YHWH is saying, "I will not abandon you. You are still my bride."
This is YHWH speaking to His people, in exile. They are accusing Him of abandonment. YHWH is responding by saying, "Show the divorce certificate."
This is punishment for sin, especially Israel's sin of idolatry. They have been conquered by Assyria. Judah, for the moment, has been spared. (It will fall to Babylon)
2 Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness
and make sackcloth their covering.”
Who will speak for Israel? YHWH is asking, "Since you have betrayed me, where is the man that will deliver you from your troubles?" Who will be your mediator?
Is God's power and sovereignty cut off because of the sin of His people? Do the rivers dry up and fish die because He has lost control. Of course not. YHWH is explicitly stating that things happen by His power.
"I clothe the heavens with blackness... make sackcloth their covering." Heaven is mourning over the sin of Israel. God mourns for His people. He takes no delight in punishing His people for their sin. The physical creation reflects that reality.
4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
So, who is speaking here? Obviously, Isaiah is the experiencing this prophecy, but the person speaking is not Isaiah.
The answer actually comes from the previous chapter, Isaiah 49:6, "...I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."
What does Jesus call Himself? From John 8:12, "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The Messiah would have a daily, beautiful relationship with YHWH; YHWH will speak with him, teach him, give him the words to say.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. 6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.
This is the mediator. This is the man who will stand in total submission to YHWH, for the people of Israel.
He will be beaten, spat upon, disgraced in public, yet he will not lash out in rebellion. (As you read the Gospel accounts of Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion, remember these words. See them fulfilled in Jesus.)
"I gave" indicating a voluntary action on the part of the Messiah. He was not forcefully coerced. He did it willingly.
7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
In enduring shame and disgrace, this Servant/Mediator will be exalted by YHWH. He will be glorified; raised to the highest place. (Philippians 2:9)
"I have set my face like a flint" or "I will do this thing and nothing will stop me."
From Luke 9:51, "When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem." - As Jesus draws near to the hour of his brutal death, in which He and the Father will be glorified, His face is "set". Nothing will break His resolve. His mission will be accomplished.
8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
The Mediator will not be left alone. Instead, he stands with YHWH, and no force can overwhelm them. They are unified, always.
From John 8:28, "So Jesus said to them, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he... And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."
This is true for you, as well. You are never alone. Your God goes before you, stands with you, and surrounds you.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
From Psalm 89:29, "I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens."
From Revelation 11:15, "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."
Our God reigns forever and ever. All things may pass away, but God's Word endures. His promises to you endure.
No matter what may come in the future, you can stand upon those promises.
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