October 9, Isaiah 32
And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. - Isaiah 32:17-18
Some companies teach their managers to deliver bad news or criticism to an employee with the "sandwich" technique. The manager begins and ends the talk with a positive statement, commending the employee for something he's doing well. But sandwiched between the two slices of good news, the bad news of the conversation tells the employee she's not getting that raise or he's failing to meet expectations.
I thought about that sandwich technique as I pondered Chapter 32. Isaiah began with a passage filled with rich promises about a transformed, glorious future. He ended the chapter the same way. Between the two positive prophecies, he gave a prophetic warning to the complacent women among God's people. Their indifference toward God would end within a year of Isaiah's warning and they would suffer humiliation as captives. They would see their once fruitful homeland barren, and their great cities emptied of inhabitants. The wild animals would make their homes in the ruins of the palace and the abandoned cities.
And then Isaiah looked ahead to a brighter, better time for the people of God. Justice and
righteousness would return to the land and its inhabitants. They would enjoy peace grounded in righteousness, and live secure in quiet resting places.
Who was this king who would rule in righteousness, whose reign would be characterized by peace, trusting God and righteous living? Even though Hezekiah was a good king, we know enough about his life to know he was not absolutely righteous and just. The conditions in Hezekiah's reign never matched what Isaiah described in this chapter. No, this chapter's optimistic outlook and the rich promises and prophecies it contains must look ahead to the times of Messiah and describe the conditions in his kingdom. Only when Christ the Lord rules over his people can there be true righteousness and perfect justice. Only in Christ can we find a true hiding place and shelter. Jesus came to give us access to the free-flowing streams of refreshing spiritual water to satisfy our thirsty souls in a dry, weary world. In Christ's kingdom, his people will see and hear and understand. There will be no charade of hypocrisy. Sinners will be revealed for what they really are.
One of the strongest indicators that these words refer to the times of Messiah and the New Covenant is this: "until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high." In the middle of figurative expressions of our blessings in Christ lies this pointed reference to the time Joel also predicted and Peter said on Pentecost had come, when the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh. In those times, people of the kingdom would be led by the Spirit and not their own flesh. They would serve righteousness instead of sin. Those who put their trust in the Lord will enjoy peace, security and quietness in their spirit.
Although Isaiah specifically addressed the complacent women of Judah, the warning should stir our hearts as well. How dare we take for granted or presume that we somehow deserve God's blessings and favor? We must never allow ourselves to become so attached to the rich gifts God gives us that we start to trust them instead of God who gives us those things. We must never make the proud mistake of feeling we are entitled to God's mercy and grace. We should instead always be amazed and our hearts should overflow with gratitude for the blessings he freely gives us in Christ. Let's heed the warning and trust the promises of our righteous King.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—October 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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