Remember the state of the nation when Isaiah gave this prophecy. They had just survived the Assyrian onslaught by the skin of their teeth. The northern kingdom had been conquered, and the south had been ravished. Moreover, the Babylonian conquest was going to happen with the temple being destroyed and many going into exile. Into the midst of this situation Isaiah proclaims God's salvation for Israel. Salvation will come.
Nations which despised Israel will see her vindication and her glory. The Lord will give her a new name. The same applies to us as individuals. Israel is God's chosen nation, we are His chosen creation. Sin has had a devastating effect on us, both individually and as a people, but eventually God will overturn the work of sin, and will replace it with a crown of splendour. Indeed we will be a crown of splendour in the hand of God.
Days of despair and desolation will be gone. Instead the Lord will delight in us. Beulah means "married", and Revelation talks of the bride of Christ making herself ready. The work of sin will be completely undone, and we will be a people fit for the Lord.
We should dwell on these verses, and they show why hope is such a key Christian characteristic. We have a hope and a future.
No comments:
Post a Comment