Good morning Believers in Christ.
We give glory to God for the gift of another new day, we thank God for the privilege of life and for His unending mercy and grace upon us always. Praise God!
Isaiah Chapter 43 concluded…
We learnt yesterday about how Prophet Isaiah challenged both the nations and also the Jews in particular, to come and present their case, if they were so sure whether the path of rejection of God (unbelief which led to Idolatry) that they initially took was the right or wrong path.
Obviously, they had no evidences to present and when they listened to Isaiah’s message, something miraculous happened. Based on the statement in verses 10-12 we quoted (calling them God’s witnesses), it means they had a change of heart to embrace Isaiah’s message.
However, when you just encounter the truth, the devil has a funny way of still bringing the past across your mind trying to pull you back.
To actually solidify this message in their heart, Isaiah went further to unveil God’s future plan of Salvation of the whole world and encouraged them to stop dwelling in the past.
If we are to interpret verses 18-21 literally for the Jews that were in babylonian captivity at that time, we would say probably Isaiah was talking about preparing the road that they would pass through on their return to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile – roads spanning hundreds of miles of wilderness/deserts.
God’s people didn’t need to be afraid because God would protect His people from evil animals along the way and also give them water to drink and they would honour God.
As interesting as that may sound, Isaiah saw beyond that because we are no longer in the era of wilderness travel or Babylonian captivity. We are not even Jews or Israelites.
But because Isaiah’s prophecies were meant for the whole world. He was actually using Israel and things around him then, coupled with his various vocabularies (remember he was a learned person), to speak about God’s future Salvation plan for humanity.
Let’s read…
Isaiah 43:18-21 TPT
“Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things.
This means that they should stop dwelling on their old nature of rebellion, unbelief, idolatry and all forms of sins that have put them in bondage.
[19] I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.
Note that Isaiah was simply prophesying about the Salvation plan of God here. How God plans to reunite men back to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Making a way in the wilderness does not mean asking Julius Berger to construct roads in the wilderness.
Wilderness and deserts were metaphors that Isaiah used to represent men’s hearts.
And the stream of river he was talking about is the Holy Spirit that flows into people’s hearts to do the conversion unto Salvation (God draws people to Himself using His Word which is taught by the Holy Spirit).
That’s the new thing he was talking about.
[20] Wild beasts, jackals, and owls will glorify me. For I supply streams of water in the desert and rivers in the wilderness to satisfy the thirst of my people, my chosen ones,
Note the words wild beasts and jackals etc were simply metaphorical to describe human hearts.
There is a Psalmist called Asaph also used the same word but as a simile.
Psalms 73:22
[22]So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
Oftentimes, we have heard and read about some men who engage in domestic violence and they are called beasts.
Not that they are beasts physically, but in nature and character, they act like beasts and jackals.
So, Isaiah was saying that in God’s Salvation plan, even the most horrible people/sinners on earth will be saved. That’s why making them hear the Good News is very important for them to be aware that God is very thoughtful of them to redeem them and they would glorify God.
[21] so that you, whom I have shaped and formed for myself, will proclaim my praise.
No wonder Jesus said “in my Father’s house are many mansions i.e enough Salvation coverage for the whole world – as many as possible that would believe the Gospel.
Remember, I have repeatedly said on this platform that the Old Testament books are filled with figurative expressions that must be studied with the eyes of the New Testament books (especially the Epistles).
Let’s start with John the Baptist, who mentioned this in his Gospel campaign.
John 1:23
[23]He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
He was sent to prepare people’s hearts (wilderness), in readiness for the real deal (Christ’s arrival).
John 1:6-8
[6]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7]The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
[8]He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Then, when Jesus arrived, He said it Himself about rivers of living water. Please pay attention to verse 39 to see the meaning.
John 7:37-39
[37]In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
[38]He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39](But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Time and space will not permit me to exhaust all evidences. However, let me close with the Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians…
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
[17]Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18]And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
Let’s sum it up…
👉I will do a new thing: Salvation plan of God.
👉Wild beasts, jackals etc represents men’s nature and character.
👉Wilderness/Deserts: men’s heart before Salvation.
👉Stream of River in the wilderness: The Holy Spirit teaching us the Word of God and impressing it in men’s hearts.
To be continued…Praise God.
Our Prayers for everyone on this platform reading this message:
👉Spirit of Truth, continue to manifest your power in the hearts of everyone on this platform to enable us appreciate and appropriate the essence of your presence in our hearts, in Jesus name.
👉That difficult task before you, God knows how to handle it for you. Simply ask Him for direction and He will guide you. Be patient and listen. It is settled, in Jesus name.
👉The Lord God will give someone on this platform a voice, where you have been prevented to express yourself and manifest, God will by Himself elevate you and give you a voice, in Jesus name.
👉I speak to someone’s life this morning. Your Bill’s are settled, in Jesus name.
Bible readings for today: 1Samuel Chapters 23, 24 & 25 with Proverbs 28:1-14
I call you blessed now and always.
Saturday May 23, 2020 (DDMI)
