Preparing for Deliverance

Intro

Isaiah 27

Out of our own bad decisions or due to circumstances we have absolutely no control over, we sometimes find ourselves in the midst of very difficult circumstances waiting for God’s restoration.

In the midst of God’s judgement and attacks from powerful enemies of the day, Isaiah proclaims a living hope of restoration. As we reflect on this prophecy of the complete restoration of Israel and all of God’s people, let us meditate on the ways that we have already seen God’s restoration power in our lives.

Can the same God who restored our souls in Christ Jesus also give us power to restore our minds, bodies, families, churches, and communities? What about our nation?

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Read Isaiah 27:1-6

The Coming Restoration of Israel

There was a myth in ancient Near East cultures about Leviathan, the fleeing serpent (v.1). The Hebrew word (לִוְיָתָן liwyātān) appears six times in five verses in the Old Testament (Job 3:8; 41:1; Psalm 74:14, 104:26; Isaiah 27:1–twice). It is derived from the root lwy ‘“twist, coil,” and means “the sinuous one,' ' describing a kind of large aquarian serpent. There is debate over whether Leviathan was an actual sea monster or  a metaphor used to create the imagery of the developing concept of an unstoppable oppressive one-world government or league of nations, which was not as concrete a concept as the United Nations is for us today.

Unlike in Isaiah 5:1-7, where the LORD declares that he will abandon his vineyard Israel, because when they should have produced choice grapes they instead produced wild grapes. Here in chapter 27, Isaiah highlights a dramatic turn of events for his people. In Isaiah’s day, Israel was unfaithful to the LORD their God, but he saw a future filled with their faithfulness. A time when Israel will be redeemed and will continue to multiply under the LORD’s hedge of protection. Thus, the vineyard God once rejected he then will completely accept. Once his anger is satisfied, God will then turn and protect those whom he allowed to be punished (v.4).

God’s people will make peace with the LORD their God, be purged of their sin, and finally become the fruitful vineyard that the LORD had proposed them to be. In these people God’s righteousness will bud and blossom and will fill the whole earth with righteous fruit. (v.5-6)

In what ways has God redeemed and restored you according to his original purpose for your life? 

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Read Isaiah 27:7-11

Israel Rises, Oppressors Fall 

The judgement poured out on both Judah and Jerusalem are described in horrific ways previously by Isaiah, but we can’t forget that the wrath of God is kindled by sin. So it was Israel’s own idolatry that brought God’s judgment on them. Yet even in their disobedience, the LORD was merciful to send a lighter sentence on his people Israel than those who attacked them. (v.7)

Instead of total annihilation of his people, God instead drives out Israel with a fierce blast, sending them out of their home and into exile (v.8). Isaiah proclaims that all this is what was needed for Israel to come to their senses and repent. Strategically, while Israel is in exile, the LORD will destroy all the altars on which they made sacrifices to false gods and not one will be left standing. (v.9)

Not only will Israel be redeemed and seen as righteous in the eyes of God, the powerful and oppressive nations that rule over them while they are in exile will be left desolate, and have a future of abandonment ahead of them. Isaiah says their great and powerful cities will be stripped bare and transformed into a wilderness. Their branches will be consumed in fire because of their lack of understanding (vv10-11).

Since COVID-19 many companies and individuals have lost mass amounts of profits due to the safety precautions ordered by medical leaders. Many economic Goliaths fell this year and none saw it coming. 
In the future that Isaiah proclaims, the oppressive laws and governments that limit the freedom of God’s creation will all be destroyed. Therefore those who have achieved success or are granted privilege in society should remember that the tables can turn at any moment.

How do you remain humble in times of want and times of plenty?

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Read Isaiah 27:12-13

God’s people all come to him one-by-one

Isaiah again uses a powerful agrarian metaphor to paint the picture of what he proclaims; that the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to Egypt. So just as a harvester goes out to a field and threshes wheat to place in a storeroom, so the LORD will go out and collect that which he had planted; his people Israel (v.12).

God will retrieve and rescue his people who are exiled and are perishing in Assyria and in Egypt, and he will gather them together to worship him only on his Holy Mountain in Jerusalem (v.13). Just as a farmer goes out and harvests from that which he planted long ago, so the LORD will harvest a righteous nation from among his people Israel at harvest time.

We do not know exactly when harvest time will be,  so what can we do to ensure that whenever that time comes, that there will be something worth harvesting from our branches?

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Prayer

God of Restoration,

We give you thanks and praise for all that you have already done to conform us to the image of Christ our Lord. Restore the joy of our salvation. Although we have scars from various difficult experiences, create in us something new that will compel us to stand victorious over our past hurts and failures - know you give us the authority to do so. And in those areas where we are too weak stand, remind us that you have already stood for us and redeemed us through the blood of the Lamb. It is in his name, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!