July 22 - Isaiah 50:1-11

July 22 – Isaiah 50:1-11

This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away. When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst. I clothe the sky with darkness and make sackcloth its covering.”

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!

It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.

The Israelites were still complaining … and it sounds as if they were asking God why He had cut them off, why He had sold them out (the word for divorce comes from a Hebrew word which means cut off).  But, He reminds them that there is no paperwork for divorce and He actually has no creditors.  They are then reminded that it is because of their sin that they were separated from Him.  He did not choose for them to be gone from the relationship, they did.

But, He also reminds His children that He has the power and the strength to bring them back.  There is no question that is what He wants, but it is impossible for Him to redeem His people if they can’t be found because of their own choices.

The next portion of this is the words of the Servant, the Messiah.  The Servant knows that the Sovereign Lord is His help.  These words are so prophetic of what Jesus will face during His time on earth.  He is completely obedient to the Father, He allowed Himself to be beaten, mocked and spat upon knowing that there is no disgrace in doing what God called Him to do.  He will be vindicated and long after those who accused Him would be dead, Jesus Christ will live.

Promises made during the time of Isaiah, fulfilled hundreds of years later.  Our God is glorious!

His words then move towards the end of time when torment will visit those who insist on walking in their own light instead of the one who chooses to walk by the light (and in the name of) the Lord.

I think those are perfect words for me to end on today.  “Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” (Isaiah 50:10b)