July 12 - Isaiah 44:1-5

July 12 – Isaiah 44:1-5

“But now listen, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.   One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name Israel.

In doing a bit of study on this passage, I just ended up smiling and smiling!!!  There is a lot of wonderful stuff in these five verses.

Let’s begin with the first words – “But now listen …”  The translation doesn’t tell us that the Lord is actually saying, “Don’t be too upset at what you have just heard, please listen just a little longer.”

He wants them to know that even though punishment comes, His grace is greater!  He called Jacob – Israel to be His servant.  He created this people, He will help them.  Listen just a little longer and don’t be afraid.

He then calls them by the personal name – Jacob, his servant and then uses the name “Jeshurun” which is used to signify the Israelites in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 32:15; 33:5, 26).  By using that name, He is calling them ‘righteous.’

They are to be symbols of His righteousness in the world.

God is going to pour out water on a thirsty land – bring up streams on dry ground.  All through Isaiah, we see references to water.  Isaiah uses this imagery over and over to signify God’s grace.

The outpouring of this grace brings growth.  The people will spring up like grass, like poplar trees beside the water.

I see the yearning of God for His people to return to Him.  He is offering incredible grace and the response is amazing growth.  Upon their return, they will call themselves by the name of God – Jehovah/Lord.  Or they will be reminded of their ancestry and become as the true Israelites of days gone by.

Over and over, God sends grace before His people grow.  He continues in the same manner today.  His grace is never ending and always available to us.  He won’t stop offering that grace, even when we can’t accept it.  We just need to know that it is always there waiting for us to turn back to Him!