God’s Forming of Israel

At age 83 on August 4, 1786, John Wesley wrote his pamphlet entitled “Thoughts on Methodism.” This contains one of my favorite quotations from Wesley but one that continues to haunt me as I reflect on the sad state of the United Methodist denomination in America t … More

Prophecy

In this chapter, Isaiah contrasts God’s forming of Israel (vv. 1-8) to the Gentiles forming of their gods (vv. 9-20). This chapter also contains one of the most amazing prophesies found anywhere in the Old Testament (v. 28). Cyrus, the king of Persia, is named as the coming deliverer of the Jewish people more than 140 years in advance. This prediction is paralleled only where Josiah is named three hundred years ahead of his time (I Kings 13:2).

Isaiah says that the Lord will revive Israel physically and spiritually (vv. 1-2). He will pour out water on the land, making it well watered and He will pour out His Holy Spirit on their descendants (v. 3). This outpouring of the Spirit will occur when the people have returned in belief to the land which is just after Christ’s second coming to establish the millennium (Joel 2:25-29). Redeemed Israel will prosper numerically like grass and willow trees (v. 4) and they will want to be known as righteous individuals (v. 5). The Lord reminds Israel that He is their one and only God (v. 6).

The Lord agrees in His uniqueness by challenging anyone to tell of the past and the future (v. 7). The question is asked as to who else can predict the future with this kind of accuracy that He can. He even calls on the people to be His witnesses to the fact that he can indeed predict in advance of their fulfillment (v. 8). Because He has redeemed them, they should have nothing to fear.

Application

There is a time coming when Israel will be proud of belonging to God (v. 5). I should be proud now to be one of His and be delighted to let everyone know about my relationship with Him.

Isaiah 44:1-8 (English Standard Version)


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