Season 6, Podcast 126, Isaiah 65:16-25, “And I Will Rejoice in Jerusalem.”

Season 6, Podcast 126, Isaiah 65:16-25, “And I Will Rejoice in Jerusalem.”

It was through the Prophet Isaiah, as noted in the very first chapter, that the Lord gave the following Promise.

Isaiah 1:18-19

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Notice that at the end of Isaiah, the same promise is reiterated, using different words.

Isaiah 65:16

That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

Can you see how those two verses could easily be read together for they are parallel? For example, the phrase “the former troubles are forgotten” is the same as “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Each expands and emphasizes the others. It is the same with the other assertions. “If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land” is another way of saying” He who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth.” Each expands the meaning of the other.

Just like the Book of Revelation by John, the Book of Isaiah is one great poem and is meant to be read as a whole. Just as with the Book of Revelation, the Book of Isaiah was probably written at the end of Isaiah’s ministry rather than at the beginning. Such a pattern is common in the scriptures. The tremendous value of that format is that it gives unity to the entire book of Isaiah. For example, Isaiah has the ability to look back over his entire ministry. He knows that his life is coming to an end; therefore, he ponders all the revelations he has received which define his mission, and he organizes those revelations around particular themes. 

The center of Isaiah is Christ, and the contributing themes are the scattering and gathering of Israel. More particularly he wants to prove the causal relationship between righteousness and blessings and unrighteousness and cursings or captivity.  When the children of Israel are obedient to God’s commandments, they prosper as a free people. When the children of Israel are disobedient to God’s commandments, they are led into captivity. 

Isaiah’s conclusion is that in the end, when Christ comes again, the wicked will be destroyed and the righteous or elect will be saved. Let’s review, for example, the earlier verses in Isaiah 65:

Isaiah 65:9-12

And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. 

But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

The second half of Isaiah 65 lists the promises the Lord makes to the elect, meaning those who are righteous and seek the Lord. Isaiah is speaking of the Millenium.

Isaiah 65:17

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.