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God’s Eternal Blessings on His People
Isaiah 27:1-13
Introduction: 27:1-13 The point of the text from 13-27 is where we should put our hope. Hope in the nations and in the idols of the nations will end in (1) unfulfilled disappointment and (2) utter destruction by the Lord. 24-27 outlines God’s ultimate destruction for the sinful world city but deliverance with joy and rest for the remnant of both the nations and the people of God.
We, along with the whole world were under the wrath of God. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men… (Rom. 1:18).
We are helpless to either change our own condition or defeat the powerful world city in which we live and are often attacked.
Isaiah 26:1 we saw that those who are faithful enter into the strong city of God whose walls are salvation, where perfect peace is experienced.
26:20-21 God’s judgment comes while shielding his own people. The sins of the world will no longer be hidden and judgment no longer delayed (one of the arguments made by the atheist – where is God? Why doesn’t he do something?
27:1 Spiritual Forces of Evil Overthrown
This is a reminder of when God destroyed Egypt in order to deliver his people from their oppression. Egypt is often symbolized by the serpent, the crocodile, and Leviathan (Psalm 74), and therefore representing God’s enemies and ultimately Satan himself. Genesis 3:15 pictures the ultimate crushing of the Serpent. Revelation 12 pictures Satan as a serpent and dragon out to destroy God’s people, but in chapter 20 he is conquered and thrown into the lake of fire.
Now there is a new “exodus.” We need to always be reminded of the “Exodus echo” throughout scripture. First, God brings a sinful people out of the bondage of Egypt. Their bondage is a reminder of our bondage to the Dragon. Then Isaiah foretells of a new exodus brought about by a new deliverer, and we have experienced this deliverance spiritually in the forgiveness of our sins. But we still await a final exodus.
In Luke 9:31, when Jesus was transfigured, Luke tells us that he spoke with Moses and Elijah about his upcoming “departure.” The word is “exodus.” We look forward to an exodus from the corruption of this mortal body to the incorruption of our heavenly body.
But possibly even more satisfying is the destruction of the “world city” so that we are released from the oppression and wickedness of this world city. Revelation 22:14-15 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
2-6 Song of the Remnant of God’s People
Note the contrast with Isaiah 5:1-7.
A “pleasant” vineyard: please let us never forget that being God’s people and being in God’s kingdom is to be like a pleasant vineyard. Picture a beautiful vineyard spread out over a countryside with huge clusters of grapes hanging from each vine. Walk through the vineyard, taste the grapes, and enjoy the quiet peace. This is what our walk with God should be. This is what our churches should be. This is how our brotherly love should be. Cf. John 15:1-8
Verse 3: “every moment I water it…I keep it night and day.” Are we aware of what God is doing for us every day? It is so easy to allow our minds to be mired in the day to day grind and forget that all is well. Every moment, God is watering his vineyard; day and night he is keeping it. Who else in the world has that blessing? No wonder Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7
Notice also the words, “I have no wrath.” Cf. Deut. 9:13-20; 22-25; Romans 5:8-11.
Verse 4: God is eager to battle against any weed, that is, any enemy of God’s vineyard.
Verse 6: When the Lord speaks about the messianic age, what will God cause to happen? God will make his vineyard bear fruit that will fill the whole world. Throughout scripture, from the very beginning of Genesis, God describes his purposes for his people. We are God’s fruit and God’s purpose is to spread this fruit so that the whole world is blessed. It is the promise to Abraham! Who are you? We are called to bear fruit for God! “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8 ESV)
Verses 7-13 The Lord’s harvest from a destroyed people
This section recalls the former days when God had to discipline his people. But the reminder is that God did not punish them as he did with those who attacked them. God saved a remnant.
God has a purpose in this punishment; it was an atonement purpose. It created repentance in a remnant of the nation so that God purged evil from them.
Romans 11 speaks of us that way as those who see and fear God’s punishments of the past, and repent and live for him.
This should remind us that God did not destroy us as we deserved. We did not deserve mercy. God sent Jesus to give us mercy and it is only by that mercy that we stand before him today. We did nothing to deserve his mercy. We were condemned just as Israel was.
Verses 10-11 Continuing God’s mercy is the picture of the world city being completely destroyed. When we look around us today, the world city looks so powerful and intimidating. Rebellion against God is not only rampant, it is promoted as righteous. But one day, the world city will be so desolate that cows will graze where it once was and women will gather sticks for fire from the leftovers. Just picture that!
Verses 12-13 remind us of the parable of the tares where God separates the wheat from the tares. However, this is not an end-of-time picture but a present day “threshing.” One by one, those who love the Lord are being gathered. That is interesting. They are not gathered in a mass harvesting, but one by one. That’s how the teaching of the gospel goes, one person at a time makes the decision.
So the question is, are you the “one” being gleaned from out of the sinful nations to be part of the Lord’s harvest?
Berry Kercheville