ISAIAH 65
(The text used is the NASB, 1992)
The previous section (64:1-12) presents the national prayer
of Israel as they face the reality of their judgment and the righteousness
of God that is proclaimed through that judgment. It is a prayer of great
humility as they recognize their personal and national sinfulness (verses
5-7); and as they humbly appeal to God for His favor and the removal of
judgment (verses 8-12).
The judgment in view is that which is yet future to the
Isaiah generation, as the language that is used at verses 10-11 speaks
of destroyed cities and temple. This did not happen during the Assyrian
invasions in the time of Isaiah. And although such a judgment did occur
through the Chaldean invasions of 605 to 586 BC, the focus of the prophet
goes even beyond that, and reaches to the condition of judgment that resulted
from the Roman invasion of 70 AD. This is understood by recognizing that
God's answer to their prayer, which is recorded in both chapter 65 and
66, speaks of blessings that come through the arrival of the promised Messiah,
and not through the restoration to the land under Cyrus of Persia in 536
BC.
SEE Topic: Israel:
National discipline (the 5 cycles)
This national prayer then, is that which is expressed
by the people while they are under the Roman dispersion. And although that
judgment occurred after the arrival of the Messiah at His first advent,
their deliverance from that judgment depends specifically on His work at
the first advent and their recognition of Jesus as the promised Savior.
Chapter 65 begins to answer the national prayer of chapter
64 by explaining HOW the discipline and devastation stated at 64:6-11 came
about.
It starts by discussing the new spiritual reality that Messiah will institute
through His success on the cross.
It is this arrival and teaching of the Messiah that the nation rejected. And it is this that will then be
offered again
to the rejected nation upon His return at the Day of the Lord.
Chapter 66 records another discourse that answers the
national prayer. Both begin with Messiah's first advent and the new spiritual
reality, and end with national salvation and kingdom blessing for Israel.
The preface for Israel's national blessing, then, is the
arrival of the Messiah at the first advent. He must first come as a servant
to be the sin-bearer and Savior of the world, which was taught in detail
at Isaiah 53. This paves the way for the salvation of national Israel (Romans
11:26-27), the establishment of the earthly kingdom and the fulfillment
of all the blessings promised to Israel. However, when the Messiah comes
at the first advent, He finds a nation in rebellion which will not accept
Him as the promised Messiah (John 5:40). Thus, He must turn away from that
nation and establish a new nation (a spiritual nation) comprised of all
who will accept Him as the Savior. This new nation or new priestly body
(servants who will represent Him to the rest of the world) will include
both Jews and Gentiles, and be called by a different name than Israel.
At the time, Israel was seeking God, but was not finding
Him because they were seeking based on human righteousness (Romans 10:2-3)
instead of on God's terms. Accordingly, that nation will be rejected by
God and placed under discipline until the new priestly body completes its
mission under the persecutions from "the man of lawlessness,"
which is described as "until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,"
(Luke 21:24) and "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,"
(Romans 11:25). The ones whom God will choose to be His servants will be
from among those who were NOT seeking Him, but who would be drawn to seek
Him. This has been taught previously to the nation beginning with Moses
at Deuteronomy 32:21, and earlier by Isaiah at chapter 28:9-17.
AN OUTLINE
1. The renovation of the universe does not take place until AFTER the
last judgment, which is
AFTER the millennial kingdom (MK).
Certainly there are changes made at the start of the MK, but it is not a
COMPLETE new earth. There are still changing weather conditions that occur
during the MK and death.
2. The fiery events that occur during the Day-of-the-LORD judgments are not
TOTAL destructions or changes in the condition of the earth. They don't have
anything to do with Revelation 21:1 and 2Peter 3:10-12.
4. The "event" of renovation (new heavens and new earth) is a PROCESS that
actually begins with the Messiah's FIRST advent establishment of
righteousness (justification through faith in Christ), and extends to
the establishment of RIGHTEOUSNESS all over the earth when the MK starts
along with changes made in the ecology (lions, lambs, snakes, length of
life, health, etc). But there will still be physical death of people and
animals.
And then ultimately to the total PHYSICAL renovation. But Isaiah's focus is
on the Mil kingdom rather than the eternal heavens and earth.
5. The focus in Isaiah 65-66 is a HUGE period of time viewed as one event in
the ENDTIMES, that
begins with Messiah's first advent.
6. That event begins with the establishment of the new covenant after
Messiah's salvation provision of righteousness (justification) through faith
in Christ. Basically, it involves -
A. The first advent provision of salvation (Is. 65:1-5; 66:1-3).
B. The judgment on Israel
in 70 AD (65:6-12; 66:4-6)
C. The new evangelistic agent; the church: 65:13-16; 66:7-11
D. Day of the Lord
judgments: 66:15-18
E. Evangelism before and during the
day of the Lord: 66:19
E. The Mil. Kingdom: 65:17-25; 66:20-24
Isaiah 65:1
This section begins with a focus on the establishment
of the new priestly body, and then to the reason the new body is needed.
The new body will be comprised of both Jew and Gentile;
of those who did not previously pursue God on His terms. This includes
the Gentiles who were steeped in their Greek and Roman idolatry, and the
Jews who did not seek God according to righteousness. Just at Paul writes
at Romans 9:24, "whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but
also from among Gentiles." But from among both of these groups, "as
many as did receive Him, to them He gave authority to become children of
God, (John 1:12).
1. I permitted Myself to be sought: This is the verb,
dArash, as a niphal perfect which means in this stem, to ALLOW or LET or
PERMIT oneself to be sought. It differs from the second word for seek in
the context (bAqash), in that here the idea is of seeking someone for assistance
because one has a need. The idea that God PERMITS Himself to be sought
means that not only must God make a WAY available, but must also make known
that WAY to the world.
2. by those who did not ask: This is the verb shAal plus
the negative, lo, which indicates that this group of people were not looking
to God for assistance and not asking after Him.
A good summary of the general condition of the Gentiles
is found at Galatians 4:8, "when you did not know God, you were slaves
to those which by nature are no gods;" and at 1 Corinthians 12:2,
"when you were pagans, you were being led astray to the speechless
idols."
And a good summary for the Jews is found at Romans 10:2-3,
"For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in
accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness, and
seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the
righteousness of God."
The Jews were not seeking AFTER God because they found
their confidence in Moses and were secure in their religious dogma. (John
5:39; 6:45)
3. I was found: the verb is mAtsa as a niphal perfect,
but this time the niphal stem of this verb does not carry the "permit"
idea (as with the NASB). It should be rendered as, "I was found."
This refers to the fact that these unbelievers actually found and received
relationship with God based on the gospel proclaimed to them.
4. by those who did not seek Me: This verb is
bAqash,
and indicates a "general" seeking. The negative indicates the
indifference that the Gentiles had (in general) to the God of Israel. Paul
states at Romans 9:30, that the Gentiles "did not pursue righteousness."
And again, of the Jews, Jesus summarized, "but you
were not willing," (Matthew 23:37).
5. I said, Here am I, here am I: The Hebrew has the exhortational
particle, hine, which means, BEHOLD (focus on, look at, see), followed
by the suffix for ME. Thus, "behold - Me! Behold - Me!"
This is the invitation extended to the peoples of the
first century.
A. During the ministry of Jesus: John 1:9-11; 6:43; 12:36,
46
B. By the apostles: Colossians 1:6, 23.
C. In principle: Acts 17:30, "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all
everywhere should repent."
6. To a nation which did not call on My name: Israel did
not accept Jesus. They did not "call upon the name of the Lord,"
as per Romans 10:13. Israel was ministered to, even though as a nation,
she totally rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Likewise the Gentile "nations"
did not initiate a search for God. It was God who came to them with the
gospel message, as per Acts 1:8, "unto the uttermost parts of the
earth."
There are some interpreters who follow the KJV, and make
this a passive voice ("a nation that was not called by My name"),
but most recognize that in that case the form would be a niphal stem as
at Isaiah 43:7 and 63:19. The manuscript evidence represent both an active
and a passive form, but the LXX has the verb, kaleo, as an aorist active
indicative + the negative which is rendered, did not call. What is indicated
then, is a failure to respond properly to God rather than a nation that
was not even "called by" His name. Those who take the passive,
then restrict it only to Gentiles, for no matter how unfaithful Israel
was, she was still a nation that was called BY God's name. However, to
counter that, we do have the "appearance" of abandonment as is
portrayed at Isaiah 63:19, "we have become LIKE those who were not
called (niphal stem) by your name." But the focus here is on the failure
of the nation AND of the Gentiles, both being in view and equally in need
of the Savior's salvation provision.
It has application to the Isaiah generation (and Jeremiah
generation) because the nation was still in a rebellious condition that
was refusing to call upon God as is seen in the great appeal to the nation
of Isaiah 55:1-6, "Call upon Him while He is near."
So, while evidence can be provided in support of both
passive and active ideas, it seems that the nod should be given to the
active voice (qal stem). At the same time, let's observe that in either
case, the same condition of spiritual rebellion is in view, and the same
invitation from God is extended to both Jew and Gentile.
Isa. 65:2 "I have spread out My hands all day long
to a rebellious people, Who walk {in} the way which is not good, following
their own thoughts,"
This summarizes the rebellion of Israel; not only rejecting
the Messiah, ultimately, but also rejecting God's revelation to the prophets
all throughout their history (Matthew 23:29-35), and instead, making their
own rules; there own works system.
This is first an indictment on the Isaiah generation as
they are those "who draw near with their words And honor Me with their
lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence
for Me consists of tradition religiously learned," (Isaiah 29:13).
And then an indictment on the Messiah generation when Jesus applied verse
29:13 to them at Matthew 15:9, "teaching as doctrines, the precepts
of men."
And the most damaging indictment by Jesus at Matthew 23:37,
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who
are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the
way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling."
Is it not a sad commentary on Israel and on human nature
that 875 years earlier we have the indictment upon the wilderness generation
at Deuteronomy 32:5, "They have acted corruptly toward Him, {They
are} not His children, because of their defect; {But are} a perverse and
crooked generation."
And even upon that occasion, came the warning from God
that sometime in the future, the nation would be rejected and replaced
with one that would do the job (Deuteronomy 32:21).
And then there is the glaring indictment found at 2 Kings
21:15, "because they have done evil in My sight, and have been provoking
Me to anger, since the day their fathers came from Egypt, even to this
day."
And Jeremiah 7:25-26, "Since the day that your fathers
came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants
the prophets, daily rising early and sending {them.} Yet they did not listen
to Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck; they did evil more
than their fathers."
Isaiah 65:3-4, A people who continually provoke Me to
My face, Offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks;
who sit among graves, and spend the night in secret places; Who eat swine's
flesh, And the broth of unclean meat is {in} their pots.
These two verses summarize some of the things practiced
by both the Isaiah and the Messiah generation. This language tells of the
idolatry that was practiced in a variety of ways. In the Messiah generation,
the blatant idolatry had ceased, but the religious people were still involved
with the idolatry of greed (Mark 12:40), and the eating of unclean meats.
Isaiah 65:5a, Who say, "Keep to yourself, do not
come near me, For I am holier than you!"
This verse clearly summarizes the attitude of the Pharisees,
who not only promoted self righteousness (Matthew 6:1; 23:5-7), but also
ostracized those they deemed to be unclean (John 4:9; Acts 10:28).
Isaiah 65:5b, These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that
burns all the day.
This expresses God's anger. 1 Thessalonians 1:16; Luke
21:20-24
The book of Isaiah begins with this focus on the failures
of the nation, and on God's extreme displeasure as is summarized at chapter
1:10-15.
Isaiah 65:6, Behold, it is written before Me, I will not
keep silent, but I will repay; I will even repay into their bosom,
This is a summary statement concerning God's actions toward
the nation as an expression of His anger.
1. First we see the "spiritual" response of
God as mentioned at Isaiah 1:10-14.
2. Then we see the "physical" response of God
as He judges the nation by bringing upon them the kingdom of Assyria, in
the Isaiah generation, and the kingdom of Chaldea in the Jeremiah generation.
The Isaiah generation recovers in the midst of the Assyrian
oppression, and is spared national dispersion (Isaiah 37:1-38). But 100
years later, the Jeremiah generation is not spared, and in 605 to 536 BC
God judges the nation through the Babylonian captivity. Then, the Messiah
generation is judged through the Roman captivity of 70 AD.
Isaiah 65:7, Both their own iniquities and the iniquities
of their fathers together," says the LORD. Because they have burned
incense on the mountains, And scorned Me on the hills, Therefore I will
measure their former work into their bosom."
This verse specifically indicts the nation in the context
of their idolatry that leads to the judgment from Assyria, and later, on
the Jeremiah generation through the Babylonian captivity.
Notice that the iniquities of the "fathers"
are recompensed in this judgment. This is the same thing that Jesus said
would happen with the those of His generation (Matthew 23:31-32).
Isaiah 65:8, Thus says the LORD, As the new wine is found
in the cluster, And one says, 'Do not destroy it, for there is benefit
in it,' So I will act on behalf of My servants In order not to destroy
all of them.
Not all the people will be destroyed. Although there are
many deaths through the Assyrian invasion, the Isaiah generation recovers,
and the nation is spared for about 75 years. Then the nation is captured
and plundered by the Chaldeans, but even then, there is a surviving remnant
that returns after 70 years (536 BC), and will begin again as God's priestly
agent. Not only does this preservation of a remnant restore the nation,
but it also keeps the Jewish race and nation in place, so that later, the
Messiah can come into the world within the context of "born under
the law," (Galatians 4:4). That is, at a time when the NATIONAL structure
is in place and is able to politically enforce the national laws as represented
in the law of Moses.
Isaiah 65:9, "And I will bring forth offspring from
Jacob, And an heir of My mountains from Judah; Even My chosen ones shall
inherit it, And My servants shall dwell there.
This verse then, looks forward to the arrival of the Messiah.
1. The word offspring is zera (seed) and is in the singular.
It refers to the promised seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16).
2. The word heir, is a singular qal active participle
from yArash, which means to possess or inherit. Thus, one who inherits.
This refers to the fact that the Messiah will be the heir of the promises
made to Abraham and to David (Galatians 3:16-18; Luke 1:31-33).
Sadly, many translations totally ignore the singular of seed and
heir, and translates both words in the plural, which of course denies the
application to the Messiah.
(Yes, the word for seed, zera, only occurs in the singular form, and can
carry either a singular or plural idea. However, the singular participle,
HEIR, determines that "seed" is also to be understood as a singular - one
person.
The "mountains" refers to the land of Palestine
in general, which has historically been known as a mountainous area. The
same use of the plural is seen at Isaiah 14:25
3. Even my chosen ones shall inherit it: the noun is bAchir
and refers to those whom God has chosen to function in a specific capacity
as His servants. The basis for such choosing is the fact that individuals
from the ranks of the human race, accept the gospel of salvation and receive
spiritual life from God and remain here on earth as God's representatives
to the world (1 Peter 2:9). God calls (invites), man accepts (believes),
and God chooses them to be functional servants here on earth. The Greek
word used here in the LXX is eklektos, which refers to the privilege, rank
and status of being in God's kingdom.
SEE topic: ELECTION
1. This is to be viewed from two
perspectives. That is, it has a double application.
A. Members of the new spiritual nation (the church) who become the
evangelistic representatives when Israel is temporarily removed from that
function. Mat. 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9.
Paul applies this passage to this group. It includes the disciples and then
those who believe in Christ through them (John 17:20).
B. The first converts after the rapture of the church, who are servants from
within the nation of Israel. These will once again be the representatives of
God on the earth after the church is removed. This refers to the 144k Jewish
bondservants of Rev. 7:1-8 and 14:1-9.
In the same way that the prophets often co-mingle the prophecies of the
first and second advents, they likewise, often co-mingle the prophecies
about these two groups of believers. They see only the fact that the nation
itself will fail and be rejected by God, but individuals within the nation
will continue to function as God's evangelistic agent.
2. THE LAND
The word, IT, is actually a feminine suffix to refer to an "understood"
antecedent that is represented by the plural of mountains, and indicates the
land of Palestine, which is a HER, in the mind of the people.
The specific "land" in view is of course Palestine as that is where the
first of the CHOSEN ONES will be living as the first converts of the
Messiah.
3. And My servants shall dwell there."
This has a dual focus. It looks ultimately to Israel's life in the earthly
kingdom, and to the believing Jews who enter alive after being purged of
unbelievers. Ezek. 20:37-38 and 34:17-22.
But before that and specifically in response to the first coming of the
Messiah, it refers to the believers of that Messiah generation who embrace
Jesus as the Savior of the world.
It refers to the believers described at Matthew 22:14, "many are called but
few are chosen."
The activity of "servants" refers to being functional in the evangelistic
capacity that was designed originally for Israel (and will be restored to
her later). The NEW priestly body begins in Jerusalem, basically POSSESSING
the land, and saturating the people with the gospel message. They then
spread out from there (Acts 1:8), and are seen as ones who "have upset the
populated world," (Acts 17:6).
There is also the promise of a heavenly inheritance for believers who die
prior to the establishment of the Davidic kingdom. It is in fact, the
primary focus of Old Testament believers. (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation
21:2-14). And of course, only those who have trusted in Christ will inherit
the new Jerusalem which is the heavenly abode of believers.
See Topic: The new Jerusalem
"My chosen ones" and "My servants" refers then to the disciples, and all
those who believe in Christ through their ministry. In other words, the
church body with emphasis on individuals. This is the new evangelistic agent
comprised of both Jew and Gentile.
The NEW priestly body inherits the spiritual blessings
originally promised to Israel, but since the nation rejected the Messiah,
she forfeited those blessings and conceded them to the replacement priestly
body until the 2nd coming of the Messiah.
All the members of the CHURCH, then, are heirs of Abraham
(Gal. 3:29); heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). It
is this group of believers that is in view at Isaiah 53:11, where the victorious
Messiah "will divide the booty with the strong."
And it is the group of believers designated as "many sons brought into
glory," and as "My (Christ's) brethren" at Hebrews 2:10-11.
4. INHERIT THE LAND
And my CHOSEN ones will inherit it. Again, the chosen ones fall into two
categories. (1) those of the Messiah generation who comprise a SPIRITUAL
nation and inherit SPIRITUAL blessings. And (2) those of the nation of
Israel who become the chosen of God during the future Day of the Lord, and
inherit the physical kingdom over which the Messiah will reign.
In both cases it is the fulfillment of a universal spiritual principle found
at Psalm 37:11, "but the gentle (humble) ones will inherit the land." LXX.
The moral and social blessings associated with RIGHT living, are seen as an
experiential inheritance that is for all of God's people as they walk in
fellowship with Him.
Jesus actually quoted this principle at Matthew 5:5, "happy are the gentle
for they shall inherit the land."
The gentle in both places is the adjective, praus. It refers to a humility
attitude and action that recognizes the freedoms and rights of others.
Gentleness refers to the application of humility to others in all three
areas of expression: mental, verbal and overt.
We have no right to judge another with human viewpoint, subjectivity or
emotional standards; Mental attitude sins.
We have no right to speak out against another and express human viewpoint,
subjectivity or emotionalism concerning that person's status or actions.
(Rom. 14:4)
We have no right to physically abuse, torment or oppress others.
Therefore, it is personal objectivity and honesty toward all others in
creature status.
Humility revolves around the attitude and practice of beneficent love.
See Topic: Beneficent love
Gentleness relates to the promise of social stability in the land in which
you live. "shall inherit the land."
Inherit is the verb, klāronomeō, as a future active indicative. It indicates
the possibility of maximum enjoyment of one's social environment by
grace-living in relationship to others. Grace-living takes God's moral and
spiritual standards (The Divine Value System) and consistently applies them
to other people.
This universal spiritual principle is also stated at Psalm 25:12-13.
"Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he
should choose.
His soul will dwell in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the
land."
Peter taught about inheriting this blessing at 1 Peter 3:8-13 and quotes
from Psalm 34:12-13. "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic,
loving, compassionate, and humble; not returning evil for evil or insult for
insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very
purpose that you would inherit a blessing. for, (Psalm 34:12-13) 'The one
who desires to love life, and to see good days, keep the tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue
it.'"
The expression, "see good days" refers to living in peace in the land, that
is, in the social environment in which you live; inherit the land.
It is this "social" blessing that is in view for those of the Messiah
generation and all who believe in Christ through them, thus, the entire
church, extending of course, until the Lord returns.
This sees the social life of the believer in a context where there is no
specific persecution of Christians.
For Christ's brethren, the elect ones of the church, it needs to be
recognized that the moral and social blessings associated with RIGHT living,
are seen as an experiential inheritance while living here on earth. (Matthew
5:5; 1 Peter 3:8-13; 4:12-16).
FUTURE OF THE NATION in the kingdom
Isaiah 65:10, "And Sharon shall be a pasture land
for flocks, And the valley of Achor a resting place for herds
for My people who seek Me."
Verse 10 looks again to "my people" and refers specifically to the people of
the nation. The word, people, is not used to reference the members of the
new group that Isaiah is shown. They are referenced by "my chosen ones" and
"My servants."
In this special section (59-66) the reference
to "people" is always referring to the people of the nation.
(60:21; 62:10, 12; 63:8, 11, 14, 18; 64:9; 65:2-3, 10, 18-19, 22).
Isaiah 65:10b: For My people who seek Me.
This refers to the people of Israel who through the conviction from the
gospel proclamation will seek the Lord and eventually trust in Him as
Savior. Hosea 5:14-15.
The witness to the nation is explained in the commentary on Malachi 3:1-6.
The future kingdom blessing is for those who will seek relationship with
God on God's terms. That means, those who trust in Jesus as the Messiah-Savior.
Those who become believers after the rapture and survive until the 1335 days
of Daniel 12:12, will go alive in mortal bodies into the earthly, Davidic
kingdom.
The presence of herds in abundance indicates great economic
prosperity, and anticipates the future kingdom blessings that will exist
for the nation of Israel.
The valley of Achor was considered a place of cursing
since a memorial was established there in 1401 BC when Achan was executed
for his sin against God and against the nation (Joshua 7:1-26).
The death of Acan appeased the wrath of God and the curse (Josh 6:18) on the
people was removed. Josh. 7.
The place thus became a symbol for substitutionary sacrifice,
for through Achan's death, the nation was removed from judgment and a curse, and came
back under the mantle of divine blessing. Thus, blessing through judgment
is the picture, and what greater fulfillment of that symbol than the sin
sacrifice of the Messiah. So at Hosea 2:14-23, the cursing-symbol of "the
valley of Achor" will be seen as a symbol of salvation; "a door of hope."
At that time it will be applied to the sacrifice of the Savior and become a
new memorial for those in the kingdom.
Just before the establishment of the
earthly, Davidic kingdom, all of Israel will be gathered into the land and
the spiritual rebels will be purged from the people (Ezek. 20:33-38). The
result will be that only believers will be left to go into the earthly
kingdom (Ezek. 34:27-22).
Hosea 2:14-15.
"Therefore, behold, I am going to persuade her,
Bring her into the wilderness,
And speak to her heart.
Then I will give her her vineyards from there,
And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope.
And she will respond there as in the days of her youth,
As in the day when she went up from the land of Egypt.
As noted before, the prophets looked forward to life in the earthly kingdom
after the Messiah's tactical victory over the nation's enemies. And they
often skip back and forth to different time periods.
THE FAILURE OF THE NATION
But the ones who forsake the Lord, who reject Jesus as
the Messiah, God will reject them and appoint them to national destruction
and worldwide captivity.
The nation failed as an evangelistic agent and they did not bring forth
spiritual fruit.
Isaiah 65:11, But you who forsake the LORD, Who forget
My holy mountain, Who set a table for Fortune, And who fill {cups} with
mixed wine for Destiny,
1. You who forsake the LORD: this refers to those of the
nation of Israel during the Messiah generation. It is described by Jesus
at Luke 19:44, "because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
2. Forget my holy mountain: they are more concerned with
their own personal prosperity and well-being than for the spiritual heritage
that revolves around Zion, a name that often represents the entire nation.
3. They set a table for Fortune: the Hebrew has the preposition
Le, plus the definite article plus the word GAD, which occurs often in
the Phoenician and and Aramaic inscriptions for the god of fortune (fortuity
or good luck). This indicates that they worship the concept of good luck
and prosperity as being of greater value than occupation with the Messiah.
This can involve actual idolatry as with the Isaiah and Jeremiah generations,
or it can involve the ideology of making the betterment of yourself the
priority in life.
4. and serve wine for Destiny: Again the preposition,
Le + THE + the word MENI, which occurs in the same inscriptions for the
god of destiny. This further indicates occupation with the physical issues
of life rather than the TRUE spiritual issues.
5. Because of actual idolatry and the attitude of idolatry
(covetousness), the nation will be judged. The application of what follows
to the Messiah generation is valid because Paul quotes Isaiah 65:1 at Romans
9:20 with application to the Gentiles; and because at Isaiah 65:9, the
context of Messiah's arrival is announced.
In the Messiah generation, it refers to the national leadership and the
citizenry as a whole that Jesus rebuked and condemned on many occasions.
Mat. 23:23, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe
mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the
law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should
have done without neglecting the others."
NATIONAL DISCIPLINE
Isaiah 65:12
1. I will destine you for the sword, And all of you shall
bow down to the slaughter:
This is a reference to the final stage of national discipline
(5th cycle) that will be administered to the nation of Israel in 605 to
536 BC via Chaldea under Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 36:14-21); and then
to Israel in 70 AD via Rome. Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24
In the Chaldean captivity, the nation is restored after
70 years, but in the Roman captivity, Israel is scattered world wide and
remains under discipline until the second coming of Jesus (which at the
time of this writing, has been 1932 years).
2. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke,
but you did not hear.
This is the offer of personal and national salvation to
Israel through the personal presence of the Messiah. John 1:9-12; Mat.
23:29-38;
The Messiah was rejected by the nation as a whole,
even though many individuals benefited from Christ's work at that time.
3. And you did evil in My sight, And chose that in which
I did not delight."
This is a summary of their religious rejection of God's
standards for both relationship and worship. As a result, the NATION will
be rejected and only those individuals within the nation who trust in Jesus
as the Messiah will then be known as God's servants. These, as well as
any Gentile converts, will be formed into a new SPIRITUAL nation that will
carry out the priestly function of taking the gospel to the world (Acts
1:8; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
Isaiah 65:13, Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, Behold,
My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry. Behold, My servants shall
drink, but you shall be thirsty. Behold, My servants shall rejoice, but
you shall be put to shame.
The NEW servants will have spiritual prosperity. They
will have spiritual food and drink and experience the peace and joy of
spiritual life by their relationship with God through trust in the Messiah.
John 10:10; 14:27; 15:11; 16:1, 33.
Those who accept Jesus as the bread of life, will never
hunger (John 6:32-35), and those who accept the water of life of Christ's
salvation provision (John 4:14) will never thirst.
But the people of Israel who reject the Messiah will continue
in their spiritual hunger and thirst, and in 70 AD the nation will be judged
(about 1 million died, according to Josephus, Wars 6.9), and those individuals
who survive (about 97,000, according to Josephus, Wars 6.9) will be scattered
throughout the Roman empire as slaves.
Isaiah 65:14, "Behold, My servants shall shout joyfully
with a glad heart, But you shall cry out with a heavy heart, And you shall
wail with a broken spirit.
The NEW priestly body will have spiritual prosperity and
happiness even in the midst of general persecution (John 15:11; 16:20-22).
But the nation of Israel, its citizenry scattered throughout the world,
will be in spiritual and societal misery. Leviticus 26:36-39; Deut. 28:64-67;
Isaiah 57:21
Isaiah 65:15
1. And you will leave your name for a curse: the name
Jew has been feared, disrespected, hated and maligned all through the years
since the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Jewish people throughout all
of history have inherited the stigma of the generation that crucified Jesus.
And the Jewish people unknowingly claimed this very curse upon themselves in
Christ's trial before Pilate. Mat. 27:25, "His blood be on us and on our
children."
1Thes. 2:14-16; Luke 24:20; Acts 2:22-23; 3:13;
2. to My chosen ones: Again the word, bAchiyr (and eklektos
in the LXX), to refer to those who trust in Jesus as the Messiah Savior.
Thus while the name JEW is cursed, the blessings
that were originally meant for them are now extended to the church which
is comprised of individuals from all races (1 Corinthians 12:13).
3. And the Lord GOD will slay you: the nation of Israel
will be destroyed. About 1 million, 100 thousand Jews are killed by the
legions of Rome. The temple will be demolished, and their cultural heritage
will be blown to the wind, to be remembered and practiced only by families
and individuals as they are scattered throughout the world as slaves and
wanderers without any focal point for their worship other than copies of
the scriptures, which God allowed to be preserved.
4. But My servants will be called by another name: And
the NEW priestly body will be known by a different name other than Jew
and Israel; they will bear the very title of the Messiah - Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Or perhaps the
new designation would be, "the chosen ones," (the elect, Col.
3:12; Rom. 8:33; 2 Tim. 2:10). Mat. 16:18 uses the word church, ekklāsia, to
describe this new priestly body. It means, "a called out entity." All seem
to relate to the "another" name.
5. There will be a new spiritual reality based on the
success of Messiah's sacrifice and the building of a new priestly house.
The focus will now be on "the God of truth" rather than the God
of Israel.
Isaiah 65:16, Because he who is blessed in the earth Shall
be blessed by the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Shall swear
by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because
they are hidden from My sight!
1. Because: this begins to explain the new spiritual reality
starting with the converts of the Messiah generation, the new priestly
body, the church. Then Isaiah advances to the next stage for ISRAEL, which
will be the fulfillment of her kingdom blessings in a "new heavens
and a new earth" in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah
9:7). This term extends to the new physical universe which will come into
existence at the end of the millennial kingdom, but that is not revealed
until the New Testament (2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1).
2. The God of TRUTH: the word is Amen, which means faithfulness.
The significance of this title is that God has brought
to completion His promised plans for the redemption of the human race and
the future inheritance of Israel. Although Israel will not be "in
blessing" at the time that the new priestly body is functioning, it
is in fact the reality of that new body that declares the faithfulness
of God. And that faithfulness proclaimed and understood confirms the future
fulfillment of the promises originally given to Abraham. The focus will
be on the God of Faithfulness, NOT on the God of Israel.
There might be a reference to this new focus at John 4:23-24, but it is
not something to be dogmatic about.
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true
worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people
the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship
Him must worship in spirit and truth."
3. Former troubles forgotten . . . hidden from my sight:
This seems to refer to the failures (sins) of Israel in general (with application
to the sins of all mankind). The sins of the human race, have now been
placed upon the Son, and forgiveness is extended to all people through
faith in Christ. Acts 10:42-43.
Isaiah 53:6-7, 10-11; Psalm 103:10-14; Jer. 31:31-34
A. The penalty for sin is removed for all who believe
(Rom. 6:23).
B. And the failures of the nation of Israel are also removed for individuals who believe (Romans 1:16; Acts 13:39).
C. And for the PHYSICAL nation of Israel, their national
failures will be a thing of the past, once she is
restored from discipline and brought into the millennial
kingdom. But the basis for that is the sacrifice of
the Messiah for sins. The new covenant of Jeremiah
31:31-34 and Hebrews 10:16-17.
D. This fulfills the promises of the 70
weeks of Daniel 9. Verse 24, "to bring to an end the transgression,
to make an end of sins, to make a covering for iniquity."
E. Thus, at the time that the kingdom
begins, ALL ISRAEL will be in a state of belief. Romans 11:25-27, "Thus all
Israel will be saved."
F. This will be the result of the
separation of the fat sheep from the lean sheep of Ezekiel 34:17-22
Isaiah 65:17, "For behold, I create new heavens and
a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.
1. For: explains the basis for focusing on the faithfulness
of God.
It is because He will bring to fulfillment the land blessings given to Abraham, and it will be a new heavens and earth because
"the former things shall not be remembered."
2. The new heavens and earth describes the millennial
earth because there will be a change in the physical
laws so that people will live much longer. Also wild
animals will be tamed as at verse 25.
3. The following verses all describe this as referring
to the millennial earth and not the renovation of
the universe that takes place at the end of the millennium.
4. But what begins at the millennial reign of the Messiah
will be amplified at the end, when the FINAL disposition
of the physical universe is established via total
renovation (Revelation 21:1).
5. In addition, the future deliverance of creation from
its physical curse is directly related to the resurrection program that
begins at the Day of the Lord. Romans 8:18-25 makes this correlation and
indicates that "the creation itself will be set free from its slavery
to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God,"
which is called the "redemption of the body" at verse 23.
But this aspect of the new heavens and new earth was unrevealed
to the Old Testament prophets, because it is part of the mystery truth
which was not revealed except to the New Testament apostles and prophets
(Ephesians 3:5; Romans 16:25-16).
6. The creation of the new heavens and new earth actually
has three phases to it.
A. The RESURRECTION phase, which begins at the inception
of the day of the Lord.
Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:22-24, 50-53; 1 Thes. 4:13-17; Rev. 20:4
B. The KINGDOM phase, which is the 1000 earthly reign
of the Messiah.
Isaiah 65:18-25; 66:20-23
C. The ETERNAL phase, which is the total physical renovation,
which for lack of any language to the contrary, seems to last for all eternity.
Heb. 12:26-27; 2 Pet. 3:7-12; Rev. 21:1
Isaiah 65:18-19, But be glad and rejoice forever in what
I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem {for} rejoicing, And her people
{for} gladness. I will also rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound
of crying.
The Millennial NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH will
provide wonderful physical and emotional blessings. There will be a fulfillment of human happiness during the millennium for
the Jewish people living in Jerusalem.
The word, "forever," is a idiom common to all languages that
expresses the idea of perpetuity for as long as one is alive. In this context,
the focus is on the physical status of Israel and the earth during Messiah's
reign. That will last for 1000 years only and then there will be a completely
new and different focus. The encouragement to "rejoice forever"
refers to rejoicing over the physical blessings extended to Jerusalem and
Israel during the kingdom. The focus is not on eternity, even though the
terminology will be used to extend the blessing into eternity.
Isaiah 65:20, No longer will there be in it an infant
{who lives but a few} days, Or an old man who does not live out his days;
For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not
reach the age of one hundred Shall be {thought} accursed.
Long life for all, however, if a believer gets out of
fellowship with God, he may be disciplined with physical death. And if
an unbeliever violates established policy for living on the "new"
earth, he may also forfeit his life, and anyone who ends up dying "early"
(before the age of 100), shall be considered to be under a curse (curse
of discipline or judgment from God).
There will be those who will be born and grow up without
trusting in Christ. The result will be that whole nations will once again
be viewed as rebellious against God's viewpoint and policy, and as a result
come under various degrees of judgment from Him. Zechariah 14:17-19
Furthermore, by the end of the thousand years of Christ's
reign on the earth, there will be a very large group of unbelievers who
will be marshaled by Satan to try once again to destroy Jesus (Revelation
20:7-9).
Isaiah 65:21-22, And they shall build houses and inhabit
{them} ; They shall also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall
not build, and another inhabit, They shall not plant, and another eat;
For as the lifetime of a tree, {so shall be} the days of My people, And
My chosen ones shall wear out the work of their hands.
1. economic prosperity described from the perspective
of an agricultural economy.
2. There will be no threat of others invading and confiscating
the produce of the land.
3. The lifetime of a tree certainly refers to one that
lives a long time such as the oak, for otherwise the
application to a long life for the citizenry has no
significance.
4. The chosen ones, mentioned here, again indicates that
these are believers. But this time the focus has changed
from the church, to those who will be believers during
the millennium.
5. The image portrayed by "shall wear out the work
of their hands," is that of OUT LIVING your production,
in the sense that you survive long enough (and longer)
to fully enjoy the labor of your hands.
Of course, this is taught from the perspective of an agricultural economy and will be experienced quite differently in the
actual millennial kingdom.
Isaiah 65:23, They shall not labor in vain, Or bear {children}
for calamity; For they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD,
And their descendants with them.
The judgment on the nation is over. She shall not again,
give up her children to be killed by invaders and have to endure the destruction
of her cities through military invasion.
The people and their children will leave in peace and
security "forever," that is, through the duration of the Messiah's
earthly reign, which is revealed in the New Testament as 1000 years long.
All that had plagued the nation throughout its entire
history is now behind them and will never again be a threat. The closest
that it will come is at the very end of the kingdom when Satan is released.
But his attempt to once again oppress Israel will be immediately prevented.
Isaiah 65:24-25 are written in prose to indicate the end
of this section, which began at chapter 63.
Chapter 66 begins with a new discourse although directly connected with
what has been given in the previous chapters.
Isaiah 65:24, It will also come to pass that before they
call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
This indicates that the kingdom begins with believers
who will have consistency in their prayer activity so that God will be
ever quick to meet their needs. Of course, believers with a consistent
faith-rest attitude toward God's character and plan have always enjoyed
the magnificence of this very same prayer promise. The concept is that
God knows exactly what we need as His children and is ever working "all
things together for good" (Rom. 8:28) as we consistently trust in
Him. Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:6-7, 19.
Isaiah 65:25, The wolf and the lamb shall graze together,
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent's
food. They shall do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain," says
the LORD.
As mentioned earlier, the wild animals will be tamed,
and these animals will cause no harm or ruin in all of Israel.
1. the word evil, is rAa, and means to do HARM. This is
a good place to reaffirm the understanding that the word group RAAH does
not mean evil, but harm. Evil is harmful, but functions independently from
this idea of causing harm. Evil is harmful, but harmful does not mean evil.
At Isaiah 45:7, we learn that Yahweh is the one who accomplishes PEACE
and who creates EVIL. However, the word for evil is ra, and actually means
HARM. This is given in the context of bringing national judgment upon Israel.
It is certainly HARMFUL, what God does, but it is not, is never, evil.
Each context must be carefully evaluated and never settle for the translation
EVIL, unless it is perfectly clear that evil is the exact intent of the
writer or speaker.
This then indicates that no physical harm will be done
through the normal actions of animals during the millennial kingdom.
2. The word destroy, is the verb shAchath, and in the
hiphil stem, means to spoil or ruin. Coupled with rAa, this word means
the destruction of THINGS. Thus, no harm to living things and no harm to
property.
3. This refers primarily to Israel's territory, rather
than the rest of the world. The point is, that there will be no harm done
to living things and no harm brought to the property or the bodies of another
through the animal kingdom.
4. This is a restatement of the promise given more extensively
at Isaiah 11:6-9.
5. This does not militate against the understanding that
there will be animal sacrifices during the kingdom (Ezekiel 44-46), for
this is talking only about the harm that the animal kingdom does to others.
Chapter 66, now starts over and focuses on the first advent
of the Messiah, and based on Messiah's success, the progress of God's plan
from the construction of the new priestly house to the reestablishment
of Israel as God's priestly agent in Messiah's earthly kingdom.
CONTINUE TO CHAPTER 66
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