Israel Refined for God’s Glory. Isaiah 48:1-16
V.DIVINE DELIVERANCE FROM SIN AND CAPTIVITY, Isaiah 40-48
4. God’s Chastisement Disciplinary, Isa_48:1-22
52. How was the captivity a blessing to Israel?
ISRAEL REFINED FOR GOD’S GLORY
“Hear this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel And who come from the seed of Judah, You who swear [allegiance] by the name of the LORD And invoke the God of Israel, But not in truth (sincerity) nor in righteousness [with moral and spiritual integrity].
“For they call themselves [citizens of Jerusalem] after the holy city And depend on the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is His name.
“I have declared the former things [which happened to Israel] in times past; They went forth from My mouth and I proclaimed them; Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
“Because I know that you are obstinate, And your neck is an iron tendon And your brow is bronze [both unyielding],
I have declared them to you long ago; Before they came to pass I announced them to you, So that you could not say, ‘My idol has done them, And my carved image and my cast image have commanded them.’
“You have heard [these things foretold]; look at all this [that has been fulfilled]. And you, will you not declare it? I proclaim to you [specific] new things from this time, Even hidden things which you have not known.
“They are created now [called into being by the prophetic word] and not long ago; And before today you have not heard of them, So that you will not say, ‘Oh yes! I knew them.’
“You have not heard, you have not known; Even from long ago your ear has not been open. For I [the LORD] knew that you [Israel] would act very treacherously; You have been called a transgressor and a rebel from birth.
“For the sake of My Name I refrain from My wrath, And for My praise I restrain Myself from you, So that I do not cut you off.
“Indeed, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
“For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it [I refrain and do not completely destroy you]; For how can My Name be defiled and profaned [as it would if My chosen people were completely destroyed]? And I will not give My glory to another [by permitting the worshipers of idols to triumph over you].
THE LORD’S CALL TO ISRAEL
“Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called; I am He, I am the First, I am the Last. [Isa_41:4]
“My hand founded and established the earth, And My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together [in obedience to carry out My decrees].
“Assemble, all of you, and listen! Who among them [the idols and Chaldean astrologers] has declared these things? The LORD loves him (Cyrus of Persia); he will do His pleasure and purpose against Babylon, And his arm will be against the Chaldeans [who reign in Babylon].
“I, even I, have spoken; indeed, I have called Cyrus; I have brought him, and will make his way successful.
“Come near to Me, listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, From the time that it happened, I was there. And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His [Holy] Spirit.”
52. How was the captivity a blessing to Israel?
THE OBSTINATE AND INSINCERE REBUKED
We are meant to be for God’s praise and glory; but we may delay the realization of His high purpose. Our neck iron, our brow brass, we trust in idols and refuse to open our ear. It is necessary, therefore, to send us to Babylon, where, as in a furnace for silver, the dross and alloy are purged away. Many of us are in furnaces which have been rendered needful through our evil ways.
Notwithstanding our sins, God comes to the furnace mouth and chooses us there. For His own sake, His own sake, He does it that His name may not be polluted. He cannot give His glory to another. You cannot account for God’s grace to you personally. He must have known all, from the first. Then dare to believe that the reason that prompted Him at the first will suffice to the end. He is not “the son of man that He should repent.” He who was the first will be the last. Jesus is Omega as well as Alpha; the end as well as the beginning! Fear not! Rev_1:17.
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