DBG - August 8 - Isaiah 41-43

In this chapter we see the rise of Cyrus and the hope he gives to the Jews.

vs. 1 – God addresses the countries along the Mediterranean Sea. “Islands” here means coastal lands.  They are to pay attention and to ready themselves because something big is coming.  That threat is the rise of Cyrus the Great (ruled 559-529 B.C.) of the Medo-Persian empire.  This is fulfilled in about 160 years.

vs. 2-4 – The Lord is behind the rise of Cyrus and the unsettling of affairs in the Mediterranean world.  It is not an accident.

vs. 5-7 – The reaction of the nations against Cyrus.  They band together and turn to their idols to save them.

vs. 8-20 – Israel’s place during the disruption of their world with the rise of Cyrus.  Cyrus will be the judgment against Israel’s enemies.  One of the outcomes of his conquest is that it set up the return of the Jews from Captivity and allowed for them to rebuild the Temple.  Some see the language of vs.18-20 as being about the Millennial Kingdom and not the restoration from the Captivity.  These two events blend together in prophecy.

vs. 21-24 – God taunts idols and their worshippers.  They are nothing compared to Him.

vs. 25-29 – This again speaks of Cyrus the Great.  He came from the east, conquering kingdoms north of Israel along the Fertile Crescent.

In this chapter the future work of the Messiah is seen.

vs. 1-4 – Matthew 12:18-21 quotes from vs. 3, proving this passage is about the Messiah.  He is the great Servant of the Lord that will conquer the Gentile nations at Armageddon.

vs. 5-9 – The work of the Messiah is discussed.  He is to be a light to the Gentiles and to free men from sin’s prison. 

vs. 10-13 – A song of praise for the victory of the Messiah.  Any time you see a “new song” in Scripture it means a song composed to celebrate a new victory. 

vs. 14-17 – The power of God puts the idolators to shame. 

vs. 18-25 – Israel is addressed.  They are described as deaf and blind, which fits their spiritual state.  We saw this theme previously in this book,  such as 29:10.  The future restoration of the Jews is in view here.

In this chapter the relationship between God and Israel is examined.

vs. 1-7 – God’s great care of Israel is described.  He has never, and will never, forsake them.  Though He must chastise them they remain His chosen people.

vs. 8-13 – Israel, in their spiritual blindness, are called to examine God’s record with them.  He has been faithful and good to them.  He has delivered them time and time again.

vs. 14-17 – God is the great conqueror of the enemies of Israel.  Though Judah would fall to Babylon, Babylon would be destroyed.

vs. 18-21 – God would be praised through Israel and His care for them.  He had done great things in the past, seen in reference to the Exodus in vs. 19.  He still has great things in store for them.  As mighty of a display of God’s power as Israel had seen in their deliverance from Egypt and settlement of the Promised Land, what God will do in preserving His people and crowning their Messiah will be even greater.

vs. 22-28 – God was forced to judge Israel because of their sins in the past.  It did not have to be that way.  He offers forgiveness if they would only repent.

I believe one of the greatest proofs for the existence of God is the nation of Israel.  There is no other reason for their continued existence other than God.  Historically, they should have been disappeared as slaves in Egypt, conquered by a succession of world powers, or absorbed into the Gentile world through the Diaspora.  But for thousands of years they have remained as a testimony of God’s Providence.  The wonderful part of this is that it is all from God’s grace and not something they have merited. 

Our hymn today is “O’er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness”, written by William Williams.  Williams is one of the greatest hymn writers of all time.  His work was primarily in his native Welsh language.  His best-known work today is “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”.  Today’s hymn sees the spread of the light of the Gospel to the Gentile world.

O'er the gloomy hills of darkness,
Look, my soul, be still, and gaze,
All the promises do travail
With a glorious day of grace:
Blessed Jubilee,
Let thy glorious morning dawn.

Kingdoms wide that sit in darkness,
Grant them, Lord, the glorious light,
And from eastern coast to western,
May the morning chase the night,
And redemption,
Freely purchas'd, win the day.

May the glorious day approaching,
From eternal darkness dawn,
And the everlasting gospel
Spread abroad thy holy name;
All the borders
Of the great Immanuel's land.

Fly abroad thou mighty gospel
Win and conquer, never cease;
May thy lasting wide dominions
Multiply, and still increase;
Sway thy sceptre,
Savior, all the world around.