Isaiah 26
Living In-Between
Isaiah 26:1-21, 27:1
Isaiah is more than a prophecy giver, a story teller. We witness him both dejected by the painful realities of the present (24:16) and elated at the glorious prospect of the future (25:1-5). But between these extremes settles the sacred disposition of patient and trustful waiting, to which the people of God must return again and again. It is the “hallmark” of genuine Christ followers as they live out their lives in the world as it is.
This prophetic song captures beautifully the essence and the tension between the promise of the “then” and the pain of the “now”. It begins with anticipatory celebration (v1-5), circles back to reflect upon the pain of waiting (v7-19), and concludes with confirmation of final victory (v20-21).
It is a tale of two cities — the strong city (v1) is to rise above the ruins of the lofty city (v5). The city of God is in Judah with its gates wide open (v2) for those who steadfastly trust the Lord (v3-4). They’re called “the righteous nation” (v2), a prophecy referring to not just the Jewish people, but “New Covenant” people of God drawn from all over the earth, who have cast themselves wholly upon the Lord for salvation.
“In the path of Your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you” (v8) — While the faithful await the final day to dawn, they are nevertheless perplexed by the perversity and blindness of the wicked. It seems the longer the Lord delays, the worse the wicked degenerate, for they do not understand kindness of God (v10-11).
More perplexing, however, is the apparent suffering of the faithful — Like a pregnant woman in labor pain giving birth to nothing but wind (v18). It’s like all hell breaks loose when your faith is on the line, and you’re frustrated with a sense of complete failure… What do you do? Is there any hope going forward?
Certainly — the Lord has come to the rescue of His people time and again in the past (v13-14), and He will certainly do so again. Ultimately, as revealed here in verse 19, it’s the certainty of the resurrection of the faithful, signed and sealed by the resurrection of Christ Jesus!
Recalling the Exodus account, Isaiah prophesied a Passover 2.0 if you will, that God’s people hide themselves in their houses until God’s wrath is past (v20). Just as Pharaoh’s army was slain in the sea, the monstrous sum of the world’s evil system will be vanquished at last (27:1).
Indeed, Agape Church, we’re living at the brink of “the day dawning” – let us take courage, reckoning all the troubles of the present waiting period as nothing in comparison with the Glory that awaits us!
