The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Isaiah 54:7-8,
"'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer."
Here is a prophetic message to the people of Israel from God, during a dark period in her history. He acknowledges that his abandonment of Israel for a time (out of his anger over their rejection of him) will be followed by his "everlasting kindness" expressed in his restoration of the nation. In verse 10 the Lord speaks of his unfailing love for Israel and his compassion.
The setting for this restoration is not when the captivity of the remnant of Israel in Babylon is ended and they return to Palestine over two millenia ago. It is a yet future time from our view, when he will never rebuke Israel again, verse 9. The Lord declares, "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you." Verse 17. It will be a time when Israel, as an expanded nation, will never again experience the judgment of God, but enjoy his blessings.
Paul speaks of this time in Romans 11:25-27, "Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: 'The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.'"
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer."
Here is a prophetic message to the people of Israel from God, during a dark period in her history. He acknowledges that his abandonment of Israel for a time (out of his anger over their rejection of him) will be followed by his "everlasting kindness" expressed in his restoration of the nation. In verse 10 the Lord speaks of his unfailing love for Israel and his compassion.
The setting for this restoration is not when the captivity of the remnant of Israel in Babylon is ended and they return to Palestine over two millenia ago. It is a yet future time from our view, when he will never rebuke Israel again, verse 9. The Lord declares, "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you." Verse 17. It will be a time when Israel, as an expanded nation, will never again experience the judgment of God, but enjoy his blessings.
Paul speaks of this time in Romans 11:25-27, "Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: 'The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.'"
This is the time when the kingdom of God will rule the earth for an eternity. Israel, together with all of the redeemed saints of the Lord will experience the blessings of God in the next age.
In our day, when things look so bleak, a day when so many ask, "where is the Lord?" and face the future with anxiety and fear, this is truly good news! Something to celebrate and get excited about!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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