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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