Isaiah describes a culture that is in rebellion to the ways of God in Isaiah 59:1-14. He provides these details concerning their cultural situation in those fourteen verses:
59:1
The problem with prayers not being heard and needs not being met is not because God cannot do something.
59:2
The problem is sin of the people: “iniquities have separated you from your God”
- The word “separated” is the word for “barrier” and is used only one other time in the OT
- Genesis 1:6, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.”
- Point: God is holy and sin will always be separated from God. If we live in sin we are living behind a barrier away from God.
59:3-8
A list of the sins that are forming the barrier between man and God is provided in Isaiah 59:3-8
59:3
Actions come from the Words
- Hands to the fingers
- Lips to the tongue
59:4
This verse describes a society that is empty of justice in the courts, because society is empty of the concept of justice in the hearts of the people. The leaders’ concept of justice is to explain their case and their motivations with no integrity (they deceive and do not reveal the whole truth)
- “Rely on empty arguments” is what we call in political “spin”. “Spin” is also known here as “lies”
- These “empty arguments” and “spinning the truth” conceive “trouble” and “give birth to evil” in society.
- The legal system is only there to help the strong get stronger.
- Society is without justice and a collapse is near.
59:5-6
Describes the results in the social fabric
59:7-8
All social restraints are gone. Anarchy rules.
59:9-15a
The hopelessness of men left without justice and truth personally and as a culture.
59:15b
God, the mighty warrior, will arise again.
This time it is not to deliver from Egypt, slay Assyria or overthrow Babylon.
Who is this enemy? It is sin. It is the people’s inability to live a godly life. It is man himself who cannot honor God.
Sin is the final enemy and with the defeat of sin is the victory over death.
59:16
“one to intervene” is fulfilled in Isaiah 53. There was no national leaders to fill this gap.
“appalled” is not a word for “surprised” as if he couldn’t believe no human stepped in to help.
“appalled” speaks of his holy horror of sin and its devastating results on mankind.
59:17
The armor of God is developed in Ephesians 6:13-17
Equipment of Salvation:
- breastplate of righteousness
- helmet of salvation
Weapons of Destruction for enemies:
- garments of vengeance
- cloak of zeal
59:18
“repay” is the verb salam and comes from salom or peace
God will give “peace” to those who fear him but he will “bring peace” or “settle the accounts” with his enemies.
The Lord will provide ultimate deliverance from sin and death! At that time culture and society will be firmly established in righteousness.
For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.
'The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,' declares the Lord.
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