October 10, Isaiah 33
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure. - Isaiah 33:5-6
In writing these essays about each chapter of the Bible, it's not always easy to find a text verse that conveys the big idea of the entire chapter. But in Isaiah 33, the challenge was more about choosing one of several good possibilities than finding just one.
Several verses in this chapter are like beauty marks in the text--beautiful expressions of deep meaning and broad application. These promises and prophecies shine like bright fine diamonds against the dark background (for the last time in Isaiah) of Sennacherib's hateful threats to destroy Jerusalem. But they have much wider application and significance than just the historical setting.
Take for example, verse 2: "O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in time of trouble." Truly, it was a fine prayer for the threatened people of Jerusalem to pray. But it is appropriate for God's people to cry out to the Lord for his grace, strength and salvation in any threatening circumstance they face.
We could preach (or write) a long time about the characteristics of the righteous one described in verses 15 and 16. His conduct is righteous, his speech is upright. He despises oppression and cannot be bribed at any price to pervert justice. He will not shed blood or listen to reports about bloodshed. Not only does he refrain from doing evil, he does not even want to look at any evil thing. That person is the one God says will dwell securely with all his needs met by God's gracious hand.
Verse 17 may have have some reference to back in his beautiful robes instead of the garments of mourning he wore during the Assyrian threat. It may promise that the inhabitants of Judah can roam freely and safely across their land again. But most Bible students through the centuries see the Lord Jesus Christ as the king in his beauty and heaven itself as the land that stretches afar. Our Lord Jesus Christ defeats every enemy and provides every need for his people. "For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us" (verse 22). And who does verse 22 describe, except our own Lord and King Jesus Christ?
See what I mean? It's hard to choose. But came back to verse 6 for our text thought: "...and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure." Do you hear how this verse speaks directly to you and me and our needs? Yes, the people of Judah in the days of Hezekiah were living in uncertain times. But so are we. They didn't need a little help from God; they needed salvation from the Assyrians threat. We need salvation not only from our daily dilemmas, but even more so, salvation from our greatest problem and enemy, sin and Satan. Not all of Hezekiah's advisors were giving wise counsel and knowledge. Judah needed God's great wisdom and knowledge to guide them. That's no less true for you and me today. Hezekiah had already given Sennacherib all their treasure, even stripping the gold from the temple doors to meet the bully’s lying demands. But Judah's real treasure did not lie in their gold or jewels. And neither does ours. The real treasure of God's people is our humble respect and reverent awe of the Lord. Our fear of the Lord is our greatest treasure. It will serve us well when all other valuables fail.
What a masterpiece! Read the chapter again, mark it in your Bible. We need to remember what the Lord is to us in the days of our youth, in the prime of our own strength and wealth, and in the vulnerable days of old age. May the good Lord bless us all to have him as our stability, salvation, wisdom knowledge and treasure!
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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