Isaiah 26 - 27




Isaiah 26 – 27

Chapter 26

A song of trust, of deliverance.

V1

I. In times of distress, the people of the surrounding areas would flee to

the cities, as they were most often fortified. In times past, the Lord’s

presence in the city ensured its strength. “Salvation” or “security” is in

the Lord.

V2

I. Where or when can they/we find this security and salvation? When we

are righteous; remaining faithful is key. Prov. 14:34

V3

I. When can have a mind of peace when we fixate on the Lord. “Perfect

peace” is “shalom shalom” in the Hebrew – complete, fulfilled, whole

peace.

V4

I. Ahaz placed his trust in the Assyrian (Is.7). Hezekiah was tempted to

place trust in Babylon (Is.39). The Judeans placed trust in their

armaments and own hands (Is. 31:1). All were wrong – Trust in the Lord

forever! This statement is eternal, we should never ever stop placing our

trust in the Lord.

II. The Laodicean church was guilty of trusting in themselves. Rev. 3:17-21,

and verse 19 with emphasis.

III. The church in America, with our many blessings that are not felt through

out the world, must be very mindful of this arrogance.

IV. The song references God’s strength again, “rock” in the NASB. God is our

source for strength.  


V5-6

I. Any group of people that hold themselves higher than the Lord will

suffer a terrible reversal of fortune. Who will God vindicate? Those that

are poor or afflicted, those who are helpless or needy, and those who

are found to be humble before our God.

V7

I. God will/has ensure/ensured that the way of the righteous is smooth

and level (meyshar- upright, equitable) (Brown, Driver, Briggs, 449).

What is this path, this way, the world must take? Jn. 14:5-6. “It is only by

the work of God – through Jesus Christ – that anyone can be righteous.”

(Holland, 52)

V8

I. Confident hope – to “wait”, to “trust”, to “anticipate with great

expectation” Ps:73:25

V9

I. Israel’s well-being, our well-being, depends on us faithfully following

God’s judgements. See Deut. 30:15-16

V10

I. Wickedness refuses to see the Lord and His majesty. See Ps. 19:9

V11

I. Through verses 11-19, the Divine Name is used six times.

II. To “see” can be in a physical sense or a spiritual sense. It is most likely

that we have both used here. The people did not “see” the hand of the

Lord in their affairs. As a result, they did not “see” what God’s desire for

them was. Rev 1:7

V12-13

I. No matter how many masters the earth may have, there is only one

Lord. There is only one God. There is only one Strength. There is only

one Salvation.

V14

I. Those who oppress God’s people will be punished. God will have

vengeance.

V15

I. God gives the increase, especially of those who trust in Him. It is not our

power, it is not their power, it is God’s.

V16-19

I. “Trust in human potential only brings disaster, while trust in the Lord

brings life.” (Shackleford, 280). Then, as now, we must trust in the Lord.

V20

I. Three imperatives: come, shut or close, and hide. The people needed to

prepare for God’s judgment. Noah made preparation – Gen. 7:7. Israel

prepared by observing the Passover – Ex. 12:12-13.

V21

I. Micah 1:3-4

Questions

1. Will God keep us in peace? Is this conditional?

2. How long are we to trust in the Lord?

3. In v10, what does the wicked do with grace?

4. No matter who holds earthly power, who gives the increase?

5. Are we to be prepared for the Lord’s judgement?


Chapter 27

Punishment and Restoration

Punishment

V1

I. “In that day” – a time of God’s choosing. This point is made over and

over, to illustrate that: 1) God is in control and 2) God will do what He

does when He feels it is the best.

II. “Leviathan” – livyathan. We do not know specifically what this creature

was, although we can be pretty confident is it not a mystical or

mythological creature. Serpent and dragon are used as descriptions so

maybe reptilian. It is used in Job 3 and 41, Ps. 74, 104, and here. The

point here: God’s enemies, no matter how high or how low, will suffer

the punishment of God.

Restoration

V2-6

I. A vineyard is used again, it is something that the Israelites would know

very well and was seen as blessing and prosperity. God will care for His

people but remember the shift we see up to this point, not just because

they inhabit the land but because they have obeyed and are faithful.

II. As a good farmer, God will “weed” enemies out.

III. V6 – To those that are faithful and those who obey, God provides the

means to be sustained. “This inspired expectation stands fulfilled in the

worldwide spread of Israel’s true spiritual influence through the

proclamation of the saving gospel of Christ.” (Woods, 115)

V7-8

I. It is necessary for God to discipline. Wickedness had to be purged from

the land.

V9

I. “Therefore” – what is about to be said is a result of the expulsion of the

people.

II. “Jacob” – the whole of Israel – will be forgiven. When Israel rejects idols

(repentance) they will be forgiven.

V10

I. Those who refuse to repent will feel the full weight of God’s wrath.

V12-13

I. The remnants return!

II. The Euphrates and the brook of Egypt were the boundaries of the

promised land (Gen 15:18)

III. God will bring back the sone of Israel.

IV. The trumpet calls the people to return. The trumpet was used to signal

the “year of jubilee” (Lev. 25:9-13) and all-important assemblies (Num.

10: 1-10).

We have now completed the general judgment section of Isaiah.

Questions

6. No matter where God’s enemies are, will He punish?

7. Will the Lord care for His people as a farmer cares for a vineyard?

8. How did the Lord “fill the face of the world with fruit”?

9. Will the Lord bring His people back from captivity?

10.What will they do when they return?

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