July 5, 2024 - Isaiah 34-35

What a contrast!  The judgment of the nations vs. the redemption of Israel.  Of the idolatrous nations that hated and sought to destroy Israel, the prophet says, “The Lord is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host; he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.  Their slain shall be cast out, and the stench of their corpses shall rise; the mountains shall flow with their blood.  All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree” (34:2-4).  Of Israel, however, he tells of her redemption, using terms like:  “the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus . . . your God will come and save you . . . the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped . . . the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing (chapter 35:1-10; much more, here; you should read the entire chapter).

As I listen to Isaiah, the closing of Psalm 2 quickly comes to mind:  “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.  Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:10-2).  Let us be wise and rest in the Lord and his goodness.

Children of the heavenly King,

As we journey let us sing;

Sing our Savior’s worthy praise,

Glorious in His works and ways,

Glorious in His works and ways.

We are traveling home to God,

In the way our fathers trod;

They are happy now, and we

Soon their happiness shall see,

Soon their happiness shall see.

Fear not, brethren; joyful stand

On the borders of our land;

Jesus Christ, our Father’s Son,

Bids us undismayed go on,

Bids us undismayed go on.   -- John Cennick (1743)