Isaiah 65:1-25
Q.1. Why was God displeased with His people? What made God seek ‘outsiders? Did His judgment include all of Israel? How will the land change? – (Isa.65:1-12)
The outrage was not that Israel did not seek the Lord. It was because they sought Him religiously for their own benefit, but not in sincerity. Paul quoted from Isaiah 65:1-2 in Romans 10:20-21, when explaining the inclusion of the Gentiles into the blessings of the Gospel. Israel had repeatedly provoked God, with their superior attitude towards outsiders, while violating God’s laws and His demands for holy sacrifices (Isa.65:2-7 c.f. 2 Chron.36:15-21). Yet in justice, God will differentiate between the guilty and His obedient servants. At the time of Jacob’s trouble (c.f. Jer.30:7 c.f. Mt.24:21), God will purge out the rebels and restore His chosen ones, a faithful remnant, to the land. God will spare and save His servants – 8 Thus says the Lord, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’ so I will act on behalf of My servants in order not to destroy all of them. 9 “I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and an heir of My mountains from Judah; Even My chosen ones shall inherit it, and My servants will dwell there (Isa.65:8-9 c.f. Zech.12:10-13:1; Rom.11:25-27). God’s blessing is totally undeserved. However, because God does not act like sinners, He will turn the wastelands into lush pastureland – For My people who seek Me (Isa.65:10). However, the rest – I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight” (Isa.65:12).
Q.2. What change did Isaiah foreshadow? To whom was this blessing promised? When will it take place? What are the features of this new world? – (Isa.65:13-25)
We all struggle at times when we see the prosperity of the wicked, and the demise of the righteous. However, that will all be reversed – Behold, My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. 14 “Behold, My servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart, and you will wail with a broken spirit. 15 “You will leave your name for a curse to My chosen ones, and the Lord God will slay you. But My servants will be called by another name. 16 … Because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My sight! (Isa.65:13-16). Far from rejecting all Israel, God revealed an amazing future for the nation and the land. What was described has never happened yet. It aligns with the other prophecies relating to the Millennial Reign of Christ – 17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. 18 “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness. 19 “I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her the voice of weeping and the sound of crying. 20 “No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred and the one who does not reach the age of one hundred will be thought accursed. 21 “They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 “They will not build, and another inhabit, they will not plant, and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. 23 “They will not labour in vain, or bear children for calamity; For they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord, and their descendants with them … 25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord (Isa.65:17-23, 25). Following the destruction of the Great Tribulation, the heavens and the earth will be completely re-landscaped. Jerusalem will be Christ’s capital city, and He will rejoice in His people. The new earth will provide longevity, ample provision, safety, health, and beautiful animals. The people will live productively, healthily, and long – For they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord (Isa.65:23). Israel had ignored God’s warning. How different it will be when Christ reigns – 24 It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear (Isa.65:24).